NRI guide to buying property in Hyderabad

NRIs and OCI cardholders can buy residential and commercial property in Hyderabad without any approval from the RBI. You must pay through an NRE, NRO or FCNR account, and never in foreign currency cash. You cannot buy agricultural land, plantation property or farmhouses. Most banks lend NRIs up to 75% to 80% of the property value. You pay the same 7.5% Telangana stamp duty and 5% GST on new homes as resident buyers.

This guide covers the legal rules, payment routes, loans, taxes and the step-by-step process. It also explains why Hyderabad's western corridor draws so many NRI buyers today.

You can inherit agricultural land, but you cannot buy it. If you hold such land, speak to a lawyer about the rules for holding or selling it.

Foreign exchange rules allow only these ways to pay:

• Money sent from abroad through normal banking channels.
• Funds from your NRE account, which are fully repatriable.
• Funds from your NRO account, which carry repatriation limits.
• Funds from your FCNR account, converted to rupees.
• A home loan from an Indian bank or housing finance company.

You cannot pay in foreign cash, by travellers' cheques or in foreign currency straight to the seller.

Indian banks and housing finance firms lend to NRIs on much the same terms as residents.

You need proof of income abroad, a valid passport, a visa or OCI card, PAN and bank statements.

The 1% TDS also applies when you buy a new flat from a builder. You deduct it from the payment and deposit it using Form 26QB with your PAN.

If you paid with NRE, FCNR or money sent from abroad, you can send the original amount back. This applies to up to two residential properties. Money from an NRO account can go back abroad up to USD 1 million each financial year. You will need Form 15CA and a CA certificate in Form 15CB.

Since the 2024 Budget, long-term gains on property held over 24 months face 12.5% tax without indexation. Short-term gains face tax at your slab rate. The buyer must deduct TDS on the full sale value, not just the gain. You can apply under Section 197 for a lower TDS certificate if your actual tax is smaller. India's tax treaties with your country of residence may also reduce double taxation.

• Open or update your NRE or NRO account with an Indian bank.
• Get your PAN card, if you do not already have one.
• Shortlist RERA-registered projects on the Telangana RERA portal.
• Get a loan eligibility check from two or three lenders.
• Pay the booking amount through your NRE or NRO account.
• Sign the agreement for sale, in person or through a registered power of attorney.
• Pay stage-wise as per the payment plan and track progress on RERA.
• Register the sale deed and pay 7.5% stamp duty and fees.

Most NRIs give a power of attorney to a trusted relative to handle registration in India. Sign it at the Indian embassy or consulate, or get it apostilled in your country. Keep the POA specific to one property and one purpose, with a clear end date. Never give a broad POA to a broker or agent.

Hyderabad recorded the strongest yearly growth in housing sales among India's top seven cities in Q3 2026. Anarock data shows the city sold about 12,970 homes, up 15% over the same quarter in 2025. The western belt of the Financial District, Kokapet and Gachibowli drives much of this demand. Many NRIs buy here for rental income from IT tenants or for a future return home.

New branded high-rises along this belt now suit NRI buyers well. Take Sobha Amara at Kismatpur, about 4 km from the Financial District. Its builder, SOBHA Limited, trades on the BSE and NSE. The 2 BHK starts from an indicative ₹1.61 Cr*, and possession is due in December 2029. As with any project, wait for the TG RERA number before you remit any money.

*Indicative pricing, subject to change and developer confirmation.