Buying property in Mohali and the Tricity from Australia

Time difference

Your afternoon and early evening overlap with the Indian working day. Tell us a time that suits you and we'll confirm it.

Paying in Australia

Under the FEMA rules published by the RBI, NRIs and OCI cardholders generally pay through normal banking channels: an inward remittance from Australia (AUD), or a debit to an NRE, NRO or FCNR(B) account in India. Foreign currency cash and traveller's cheques are not allowed. Keep every bank record: your bank and CA will need them if you sell later and want to send the money abroad. Agricultural land, plantation property and farmhouses cannot be bought by NRIs or OCIs.

Signing documents in Australia

If you can't travel for a step such as registration, you can give a power of attorney (PoA) to someone you trust in India. A PoA signed in Australia is usually notarised and then apostilled (the country is a member of the Apostille Convention), or attested at an Indian mission. Once it reaches India, it generally has to be stamped within three months under the stamp law, and your lawyer will tell you the exact wording and stamp duty for Punjab.

The High Commission of India in Canberra and the Consulates General of India in Australia handle consular attestation. Find your nearest Indian mission(opens in a new tab)

Tax: questions for your accountant

• How the tax treaty between India and your country applies to rental income or a future sale.
• What tax is deducted at source (TDS) when you buy, and the different rules if you sell as an NRI.
• What you need to report about Indian property, income or bank accounts in Australia.

Common questions