NRI Guide to Buying RERA Property in Vrindavan: The 2026 Complete Playbook

India's property market has historically been complicated for non-resident buyers: unclear regulations, title disputes, currency restrictions, and the practical impossibility of managing a purchase from abroad. The RERA framework, introduced in 2016, changed the equation significantly — providing escrow protections, mandatory delivery timelines, and legal recourse that made property purchase from abroad genuinely feasible for the first time. This guide covers the complete process for NRIs buying RERA-registered property in Vrindavan.

Can NRIs Buy Property in India?

Yes — NRIs and OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cardholders can purchase both residential and commercial property in India. This right is governed by the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), managed by the Reserve Bank of India. There is no prior RBI approval required for most property types — NRIs can purchase on a general permission basis, meaning the acquisition itself is automatic under the FEMA framework once payment conditions are met.

What NRIs Can and Cannot Buy

The distinctions matter:

• Permitted: Residential property (apartments, villas), commercial property (shops, offices), plots in approved residential and commercial developments.
• Not permitted: Agricultural land, plantation property, and farmhouses (these require specific RBI approval for NRI buyers).
• OCI cardholders: Same rights as NRIs for residential and commercial property. The OCI card does not restrict property rights compared to NRI status.

Krishna Bhumi Vrindavan's residential and commercial offerings — apartments, villas, and arcade shops — all fall within the permitted categories. NRIs and OCI cardholders can purchase any property type without seeking additional approvals.

Step-by-Step RERA Property Purchase

Step 1 — Verify RERA Registration

Before any payment, verify the project's RERA registration on the UP-RERA portal (uprera.gov.in). RERA registration confirms that the developer has met the regulatory requirements to sell units, that a payment escrow account exists, and that the project has defined delivery timelines.

Krishna Bhumi Vrindavan holds three verified RERA registrations:

• Premium Apartments: UPRERAPRJ5812 (studio 647 sq ft to 3BHK 1,800 sq ft, from ₹75 Lakhs)
• Luxury Villas: UPRERAPRJ6039 (1,399 to 4,306 sq ft, from ₹1.2 Crores)
• Krishna Bhumi Arcade (commercial shops): UPRERAPRJ375571/03/2024 (150 to 600 sq ft, from ₹75 Lakhs)

Step 2 — Documents Required

For NRI property purchase, the documentation requirements include:

• Identity: Indian passport (current NRIs) or OCI card + foreign passport (OCI holders)
• Address proof: Current foreign residence address (utility bill, bank statement, or equivalent)
• PAN card: Required for property transactions in India. Apply online at incometax.gov.in if you do not already hold one.
• Bank account details: NRE or NRO account details for payment routing
• Photographs: Passport-size, as required by the developer

The Krishna Bhumi team provides full documentation support and a checklist specific to the buyer's country of residence and account type.

Step 3 — Power of Attorney (POA)

Most NRI buyers who cannot be physically present in India at the time of registration execute a Power of Attorney (POA) authorising a trusted representative in India to sign documents on their behalf. The POA must be:

• Notarized in the country of residence
• Apostilled (for countries party to the Hague Convention) or attested by the Indian Embassy or Consulate
• Registered with the Sub-Registrar office in Mathura once received in India

The Krishna Bhumi team facilitates the POA process for buyers who cannot travel to India for registration. This is a standard service for NRI buyers in RERA-registered projects.

Step 4 — Payment via NRE or NRO Account

All property payments by NRIs must be made through an NRE (Non-Resident External) or NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary) account in Indian Rupees, or through inward foreign remittance in foreign currency. Direct payment from foreign bank accounts to developer accounts is not permitted under FEMA.

The NRE/NRO account framework means:

• NRE account: Funded from foreign income. Fully repatriable — funds and capital gains can be remitted back abroad without restriction.
• NRO account: Holds India-sourced income (rent, dividends). Repatriation is subject to limits (USD 1 million per financial year, with tax clearance).

For buyers whose primary objective is eventual repatriation of capital and gains, NRE account funding is the cleaner structure.

Step 5 — Registration and Stamp Duty

Property registration in Uttar Pradesh requires payment of stamp duty and registration fees, calculated as a percentage of the transaction value. The specific rates vary by property type, location, and gender of the buyer (women buyers typically receive a stamp duty discount in UP). Registration is done at the Sub-Registrar office in Mathura.

The Krishna Bhumi team coordinates the registration appointment and assists with the physical process for NRI buyers using POA.

Tax Benefits for NRI Buyers

NRI property buyers in India retain access to the same tax deductions as resident Indians on home loan interest and principal repayments:

• Section 80C: Deduction on principal repayment of home loan — up to ₹1.5 Lakhs per financial year (combined with other 80C investments).
• Section 24(b): Deduction on home loan interest — up to ₹2 Lakhs per financial year for a self-occupied property. For let-out properties, the full interest amount is deductible against rental income.

These deductions apply against Indian-sourced income. NRIs who file Indian income tax returns — particularly those with rental income from their property — can avail these benefits. Consult a tax advisor familiar with DTAA (Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement) implications for your country of residence.

NRI Home Loans

Several major Indian banks offer home loan products specifically designed for NRI buyers:

• SBI NRI Home Loans — one of the most widely used products, with competitive rates and an established NRI processing pipeline.
• HDFC NRI Home Loans — HDFC has a dedicated NRI service infrastructure including international office contacts.
• ICICI NRI Home Loans — available with INR or foreign currency denomination options.

NRI home loans are typically offered up to 80% of the property value (80% LTV), with repayments made from the NRE/NRO account or through inward foreign remittance. The Krishna Bhumi team can assist with bank introductions for buyers pursuing financed purchase.

Remote Property Management

One of the most practical concerns for NRI buyers is what happens to the property when they are abroad. At Krishna Bhumi, this concern is specifically addressed:

• JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle) management — one of the world's largest professional property management firms manages security, maintenance, landscaping, and common area operations for the entire township. NRI owners do not need to appoint or manage local property managers independently.
• Rental income facilitation — for investors seeking rental yield, the Krishna Bhumi team provides tenant placement assistance and rental management coordination.
• Remote communication — the management team is English-speaking and maintains regular communication channels for international owners.

For the full investment overview at Krishna Bhumi, see the NRI Investment page.