NRI Guide: How to Buy Plots in Dholera Smart City from Abroad — 2026

Step 1 — Shortlist Your Project

Begin with the RERA portal. Every project you consider must have a valid RERA registration on gujrera.gujarat.gov.in. Our platform lists only RERA-verified projects, so you can use our directory as a starting point.

Consider three variables at the shortlisting stage:

Zone: Activation Area is highest value and most liquid. TP-2 and TP-3 are cheaper but require longer holding.

Developer track record: Look at how many projects the developer has delivered, not just registered. RERA portal shows their history.

Plot size vs. your budget: A smaller plot in the Activation Area will typically outperform a larger plot in an outer zone over a 5–7 year horizon.

👉 Browse: All RERA-Approved Projects in Dholera

Step 2 — Request a Virtual Site Tour and Documentation Package

A reputable Dholera developer or channel partner will provide:

• A recorded or live virtual site tour (Google Maps, drone footage, or video walkthrough)
• The complete RERA registration certificate
• Approved layout plan showing your specific plot
• Title document summary
• Draft Sale Agreement

Do not shortcut this step. Review all four documents before committing to a booking amount.

Step 3 — Open or Designate an NRE/NRO Account

All property payments in India by NRIs must be made through one of the following:

NRE Account (Non-Resident External): Funds held in INR, freely repatriable. Tax-free interest in India. Most suitable for NRIs who want easy repatriation later.

NRO Account (Non-Resident Ordinary): Rupee account for income earned in India. Repatriation allowed up to USD 1 million per year with CA certification.

FCNR Account (Foreign Currency Non-Resident): Held in foreign currency (USD, GBP, EUR, etc.). Fully repatriable.

You cannot pay for Indian property from a foreign bank account directly to a developer’s Indian account — this violates FEMA. Payments must flow through your Indian NRE/NRO/FCNR account.

If you do not already have an NRI account with an Indian bank, open one with SBI, HDFC, ICICI, or Axis Bank — all offer online NRI account opening with video KYC from abroad.

Step 4 — Pay the Booking Amount

Once you have decided on your project and verified RERA, pay the booking amount — typically 10–20% of the total plot value. Confirm the following before transferring:

• Payment must go into the developer’s RERA-designated escrow account — not a general company account
• Get a payment receipt with the plot number and RERA registration number mentioned on it
• Booking should be confirmed with a written allotment letter on developer letterhead

Step 5 — Execute the Sale Agreement

The Sale Agreement is the primary legal document. It must include:

• Exact plot dimensions and location (sector, TP scheme, plot number)
• Total consideration amount and payment schedule
• Possession date and penalty clause for delay
• RERA registration number
• Developer’s obligations under RERA

For NRIs who cannot travel to India, this agreement can be executed via a registered Power of Attorney. The POA authorises a trusted person in India — family member, lawyer, or CA — to sign documents on your behalf.

Creating a POA from abroad:

1. Draft the POA document (your lawyer in India can draft it remotely)
2. Get it notarised by a Notary Public in your country of residence
3. Get it apostilled by the designated authority in your country (for Hague Convention countries) or attested by the Indian Embassy/Consulate (for non-Hague countries)
4. Send the original to your representative in India
5. Your representative gets it adjudicated (stamp duty paid) at the local Sub-Registrar office in Gujarat before use

Step 6 — Property Registration

Final registration of the plot in your name happens at the Sub-Registrar office in Gujarat. Stamp duty in Gujarat for residential plots is 4.9% for women buyers and 4.9% for men (as of 2026 — confirm current rates as these can change). Registration charges are 1% of the property value.

If you are physically present in India at this stage, you attend registration personally. If not, your POA holder completes it on your behalf.

After registration, you receive the registered Sale Deed — the final ownership document. Keep this in a secure location, both physical copy and scanned.