An NRI’s guide to applying for home loans in India

Most banks in India offer housing loans to non-resident Indians.

Growing real estate prospects in India have resulted in a spike in property purchases by non-residents and persons of Indian origin (POA) in the country. India’s banking industry has been instrumental in supporting this growth by providing easy housing finance to NRIs. In this guide, we learn about NRI home loans in India in 2024.

 

NRI home loan: Eligibility

  • Minimum age: 18 years
  • Maximum age: 60 years
  • Loan tenure: Up to 30 years
  • Loan amount: Depends on the bank

 

NRI home loan: Purposes for which loans are issued

NRIs can get home loans in India for home purchase, land purchase, home construction and home renovation.

 

Documents for NRI home loan

A duly signed application form with a passport-size photograph must be submitted if the loan is applied for in physical mode.

KYC documents

  • Identity Proof: Valid Passport
  • NRI status proof: Valid work visa/residence permit/permanent citizen card, OCI card/OCI declaration
  • Overseas address proof
  • Indian address proof (Required only if selected as mailing/communication address)
  • PAN card or Form 60

Income proof

Business proof

  • Last 3 years’ audited/CA certified/CPA compiled/reviewed P&L accounts & balance sheet (along with schedule)
  • Last 3 years’ IT returns and income computation
  • Copy of incorporation of business (Equivalent to memorandum of association and article of association)
  • Last 6 months’ overseas operative bank statements
  • Incorporation Certificate/Company registration certificate
  • Office address proof
  • List of directors and shareholding pattern

Overseas Credit Bureau Report

Must reflect credit score and repayment history of overseas loans and credit card not older than 45 days.

Additional document for balance transfer

Last 1 year’s bank statement through which EMI is debited or statement of loan account.

Property documents

Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Banks may ask for additional documents.

See also: Tax implication on NRIs property sale in India

 

Leading banks offering NRI home loans in India

  • State Bank of India
  • HDFC
  • ICICI Bank
  • Axis Bank
  • LIC Housing Finance
  • HSBC
  • Canara Bank
  • Indian Bank
  • Bank of Baroda
  • South Indian Bank
  • Yes Bank
  • Kotak Mahindra Bank
  • Indiabulls Home Loan
  • Standard Chartered
  • Indian Overseas Bank

 

Interest rates for NRI loans

All banks in India charge the same interest on home loans, irrespective of NRIs, PIOs or resident Indians. Banks assess the creditworthiness of a borrower based on their credit score. While those with a credit score of 700 and more are offered the best rates, charges increase as the score decreases.

Salaried applicants get the best rates while a premium is charged from professionals and businesspersons due to the risk involved.

 

NRI home loan interest rate of leading banks in India in 2024

Bank Interest rate per annum
Kotak Mahindra Bank 8.70% onwards
Union Bank of India 8.35% onwards
Bank of Baroda 8.40% onwards
Central Bank of India 8.50% onwards
Bank of India 8.30% onwards
State Bank of India 8.60% onwards
HDFC 8.50% onwards
LIC Housing Finance 8.85% onwards
Axis Bank 8.70% onwards
Canara Bank 8.55% onwards
Punjab and Sind Bank 8.55% onwards
IDFC First Bank 8.75% onwards
Bank of Maharashtra 8.35% onwards
Indian Overseas Bank 8.85% onwards
Punjab National Bank 9.40% onwards
UCO Bank 8.45% onwards
IDBI Bank 8.45% onwards
HSBC Bank 8.45% onwards
Karur Vysya Bank 8.95% onwards
South Indian Bank 8.50% onwards
PNB Housing Finance Limited 8.50% onwards
Standard Chartered Bank 8.65% onwards
Indiabulls 9.30% onwards

 

Tax benefits on NRI home loans

Just like resident Indians, NRIs can claim tax deductions against home loan principal and interest payments. While money paid as interest can be claimed under Section 80C of the income tax law, a deduction can be claimed under Section 24B for interest payment. Under Section 80C, Rs 1.5 lakh tax deduction can be claimed annually. Under Section 24B, Rs 2 lakh tax deduction can be claimed annually.

 

FAQs

Can an NRI apply for a home loan in India?

Yes, an NRI can apply for home loans in India.

Can a person of Indian origin apply for a home loan in India?

Yes, a person of Indian origin can apply for home loans in India.

Does an NRI need to be present in India to apply for a home loan?

An NRI/OCI borrower is required to be physically present in India if they are applying through an offline mode. They will have to submit a signed physical application form along with self-attested KYC and income documents.

Can an NRI apply for home loans online without being present in India?

Yes, an NRI can apply for home loans online. At ICICI Bank, for instance, NRI borrowers can use the Express Home Loan (EHL) platform to apply for home loans.

Can a resident Indian and an NRI be co-applicants for an NRI mortgage loan?

Yes, a resident Indian and an NRI can be co-applicants for an NRI mortgage loan.

What is the maximum home loan tenure for NRI borrowers?

The maximum tenure for NRI borrowers ranges between 20-30 years.

I am an NRI customer. Do I need to submit residential address proof in India?

If you are an NRI, Indian address proof is mandatory only if you provide an Indian address as the mailing address. The following documents are accepted as Indian address proof: (1) Valid passport (2) Aadhaar card (3) Valid driving licence (4) Voter ID

Which account is used for NRI home loan repayment?

The borrower’s NRE/NRO savings account is linked to the loan account for repayment.

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com

 

 

 

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