What you can buy depends on your entity
Summary
A foreign company's branch office in India may buy property for its own business; a liaison office may not. Leases of up to five years need no extra approval. Companies from some countries, including China and Hong Kong, need prior RBI approval.
What to check
- A foreign company's branch office may buy property for its own business, not to rent out.
- A liaison office may not buy property.
- Both may lease property for up to five years without extra approval.
- Entities from China, Hong Kong, Macau, Pakistan and some other countries need prior RBI approval.
- An Indian subsidiary can buy property like any Indian company, so settle the entity type first if you plan to buy a factory.