Punjab's diaspora is one of the most connected in the world. From Brampton to Birmingham, from Melbourne to Dubai — Punjabi families abroad have always maintained deep ties to their home state. And increasingly, they are looking to secure land in Punjab before prices move further out of reach.
The good news: buying a residential plot in Punjab as an NRI is legally permitted, financially practical, and — with the right developer — remarkably straightforward. Here's everything you need to know.
Can an NRI legally buy land in India?
Yes. Under FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act), an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) holding an Indian passport can purchase residential and commercial property in India freely. There are no special permissions required for the purchase itself.
However, agricultural land, plantation property, and farmhouses cannot be purchased by NRIs — only inherited. Residential plots in approved townships like Virat Greens are fully eligible for NRI purchase.
The step-by-step NRI purchase process
Can NRIs repatriate the money if they sell?
Yes, subject to FEMA conditions. NRIs can repatriate the sale proceeds of residential property up to the original amount paid in foreign currency or through NRE funds, after paying applicable taxes. Repatriation is allowed up to two residential properties.
Any capital gains on the sale are subject to Indian income tax — LTCG (Long-Term Capital Gains) at 20% after indexation if held for more than 2 years, or STCG (Short-Term Capital Gains) at your applicable tax slab if sold within 2 years.
Important: Always consult a CA or tax advisor familiar with both Indian tax law and the tax treaty between India and your country of residence before selling. Double taxation treaties exist with many countries including the UK, Canada, USA, and Australia.
Documents an NRI needs to buy property in India
- Valid Indian passport (OCI cardholders may also be eligible in some cases)
- PAN card (mandatory for property registration in India)
- Overseas address proof
- NRE/NRO bank account details
- Power of Attorney (if not physically present) — notarised and apostilled
- Passport-size photographs
Why NRIs choose Bathinda for investment
The Malwa belt — Bathinda, Mansa, Muktsar, Faridkot — has one of the highest NRI populations in Punjab. Many families from these districts now live in Canada, the UK, and Australia and are actively looking to secure land back home.
Bathinda specifically has become attractive because:
- AIIMS Bathinda has transformed the city's profile and driven property appreciation
- Ring Road expansion and national highway connectivity make Multania Road plots especially valuable
- Genuine scarcity of RERA-approved, completed townships with full infrastructure
- Price point — Bathinda plots are still significantly cheaper than Chandigarh, Ludhiana, or Amritsar, with higher growth potential
What we offer NRI buyers: Video call site tours, WhatsApp-based documentation assistance, PoA guidance, bank loan facilitation, and a dedicated point of contact throughout the process. Many of our recent buyers at Virat Greens have completed the entire process remotely from Canada and the UK.
The honest answer: how safe is it really?
Investing from abroad is only risky when you're dealing with an unverifiable developer, unclear title, or unapproved project. With a RERA-registered, government-approved project and a developer with a 25-year track record, the primary risk is price risk — which in Bathinda's current market is strongly in your favour.
The NRIs who bought plots in Virat Greens three years ago are sitting on meaningful appreciation. The ones hesitating today will likely be saying the same thing three years from now.