For NRI and OCI buyers: what you may buy in Amaravati and how
The single most important rule: NRIs and OCIs may buy LPS plots (non-agricultural) but may not buy agricultural land. Our old site said otherwise about farmland; that was wrong.
Last reviewed 2026-08-27
What FEMA allows
Classification follows the revenue record, not intended use. A parcel recorded as agricultural cannot be bought by an NRI even to build a house on later. Penalties can reach three times the purchase value with confiscation.
| Property | NRI / OCI |
|---|---|
| LPS residential plot | Allowed, no RBI approval, no limit on number |
| LPS commercial plot | Allowed |
| Agricultural land, plantation, farmhouse | Not allowed by purchase; only by inheritance or as a gift from a resident under FEMA conditions |
How the purchase runs
- Pay through NRE, NRO or FCNR accounts or inward remittance; no cash, no third-country funds.
- Appoint a power-of-attorney holder in India for registration if you cannot attend; the PoA should be specific and, if executed abroad, attested at the Indian mission and adjudicated in AP.
- TDS applies when an NRI sells; when an NRI buys from a resident, ordinary TDS rules apply above the threshold.
- Every check on our legal checklist applies, and the LPS certificate check matters more because you are further from the ground.
Questions people ask
Can an NRI buy agricultural land in Amaravati?
No. FEMA prohibits NRIs and OCIs from purchasing agricultural land, plantations and farmhouses anywhere in India. LPS returnable plots are non-agricultural and may be bought.
Does an NRI need RBI permission to buy an LPS plot?
No. Residential and commercial property purchases by NRIs and OCIs do not require prior RBI approval.
Want a straight answer about a plot or a village?
We live and work in the capital villages. Send the survey number or LP number and we will tell you what we know, including the things that should make you pause.