Q448. Indian Citizens working outside India are NRIs and cannot purchase agricultural land in India

Question: Hello Sir, I have seen the detailed info about the NRI to buy the agricultural land! It clearly says NRI cannot buy the Agricultural lands.. Though I would like to understand little more details about the NRI term for this context? Is NRI means the people who are Indian citizans and working abroad for temporary visa level i.e. like USA H1B visa level before green card.. will these group of people also applies this condition? I am INDIAN citizen and I am working in USA H1B Visa only so, will I allowed to buy agricultural land is my concen? Thanks in advance.

Answer: Generally, people consider NRIs to be foreign citizens of Indian origin, however, NRI refers to any individual who is a citizen of India but resident outside India. Indian citizens who acquire foreign citizenship, are referred to as PIO. PIO stands for ‘Person of Indian Origin. Generally any individual who was an Indian citizen and has acquired foreign citizen is considered to be a PIO. [Note: Does not apply to Citizen’s of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, China, Iran, Nepal or Bhutan] Since you hold an Indian passport and are working in USA, you are also an NRI. Both NRIs and PIOs are not allowed to acquire agricultural land or, plantation property or farm house in India.