NRI Home Loan FAQs
How the lender will determine my loan eligibility?
Your eligibility will be based on various factors like your income, age, qualification, number of dependents, co-applicant's income, assets, liabilities, repayment history, status of existing loan, work experience, savings history, stability of income, continuity of job, etc.
How long will it take for my NRI Home Loan to get the approval?
It usually takes minimum of 5 to 6 working days after you have applied for NRI Home Loan along with required documents.
How can I make repayment of the Loan EMI?
You can pay either by any of the following ways:
- Post dated cheques (PDCs)
- Standing Instructions
- Internet Banking
- Electronic Clearing System (ECS)
What is Loan to Value (LTV)?
Loan to Value (LTV) expresses the ratio of a loan to the market value of the asset mortgaged. The loan is often given in the range of 70% to 80% of the market value of the property.
Who can become my co-applicant?
If you are an individual then your spouse, your parents or your major children can become your co-applicants. The co-owner of a property has to be a co-applicant but a co-applicant need not be the co-owner of the property.
Does the agreement for sale have to be registered?
Yes. In maximum number of states in India, the agreement for sale between the builder / seller and the buyer is required to be registered.
In how many instalments can the loan be disbursed?
The loan will be disbursed in full or in suitable instalments taking into account requirement of funds and progress of construction, as assessed by the lenders.
What security do I need provide for availing NRI home loan?
You need to provide security of the property and/ or any other additional collateral security as may be asked by the lender for availing NRI home loan.
Who can be my co-applicant in NRI home loan?
Your spouse can be added as a co-applicant for your NRI home loan which will help you enhance your loan eligibility. Please note that if there are any other co-owners of your home then they all also need to be co-applicants.
What is Moratorium Period?
Moratorium Period in home loans is a specific period of the home loan tenure where borrowers will not have to repay any amount. The meaning of moratorium is a waiting period before the customer starts repayment of EMIs at the decided interest rate.
Who is an NRI?
An NRI is an Indian citizen who stays outside India:
- for purposes of carrying out employment or any business or vocation;
- under circumstances indicating an intention to stay outside India for an uncertain duration;
- any Indian citizen deputed outside India for a temporary period in connection with employment.
Who is PIO?
A citizen of a foreign country (other than a citizen of Bangladesh or Pakistan) is a PIO if
- he/ she at any time held an Indian passport; or
- he/ she or either of his/ her parents or any of his/ her grandparents was a citizen of India; or
- spouse (not being a citizen of Bangladesh or Pakistan) of an Indian citizen or (a) or (b) above.
What is EMI?
An EMI stands for Equated Monthly Instalment. It is a fixed amount which you pay every month towards your loan repayment. It is consisted of both principal as well as interest payment.
When is my EMI due?
The EMI will be due on a fixed date every month. This fixed date for EMI will be informed to you when your loan amount is disbursed.
What is Pre EMI Interest?
If loan is disbursement partly, monthly interest is payable only on the disbursed amount. This interest is called Pre EMI interest. You need to pay it on monthly basis only till the final disbursement is made, after which the EMIs will start.
Who is Guarantor?
A guarantor is a person who guarantees the loan you take. Only an NRI can guarantee a Home Loan taken by another NRI in India. Majority of lenders make it mandatory to have either a co-applicant or an NRI guarantor.
Who is POA?
Power of Attorney (POA) is a person appointed by the applicant to complete the formalities and documentation procedures in India who can be any of applicant's relatives. The Power of Attorney is usually apponited from the same city where loan is applied at.
What is the maximum number of co-borrowers for a home loan?
Maximum number of co-borrowers for a home loan is 6.
What is processing fee for NRI Home Loan?
Processing fee is a fee charged by the lender towards carrying out the loan sanction formalities. It is a certain percentage of the loan amount. However, some lenders levy a minimum, maximum or fixed amount of processing fee.
How can I repay my NRI Home Loan?
You can repay the loan by remittance from a foreign country through normal banking channel or through your NRE/ NRO account or out of rental income derived from the impugned property.
In which currency do I need to repay my NRI Home Loan?
As per the RBI guidelines, NRI Home Loan has to be repaid in Indian Rupees only.
Can I prepay my NRI Home Loan?
Yes. You can prepay your loan before the agreed repayment duration. You may need to pay some extra amount as prepayment penalty, however, these penalty/ prepayment charges may vary from lender to lender. Some of the lenders do not levy any prepayment penalty.
Can I transfer my NRI Home Loan from one bank to another bank?
Yes. You can transfer your home loan from one bank to another bank in the wake of lower interest rate offered by another bank. It is advisable to check the switching cost with the bank from which you have availed the loan.
Do I get any benefit if I have a woman co-applicant for NRI Home Loan?
If you have a woman co-applicant for NRI Home Loan, then a 5 basis points reduction in the rate of interest is offered by almost all the banks.
How can I apply for NRI Home Loan?
For availing home loan either you can visit the lender or you can apply it online through website of the lender. Almost all banks and other lenders have made the process online for applying for NRI Home Loan.
I am an NRI. What types of properties can I buy?
As per the RBI guidelines, an NRI is allowed to buy only residential and commercial properties in India. Being an NRI, you are not allowed to buy agricultural land or plantation property.
What is the meaning of commitment fee?
EMI has 2 components which are interest and principal. Interest is calculated on daily reducing balance basis on the principal outstanding on the loan, the principal on which the interest is charged gets reduced every month.
What is the difference between fixed and floating interest rate on NRI home loan?
Lenders usually offer both Fixed and Floating rates on NRI home loan. The difference between both are explained below: Fixed Home Loan rate: The rate of interest applicable will be fixed for a part of the tenure of the loan Floating Home Loan rates: The rate of interest applicable for the Home Loan changes with change in the Bank's base rate
What is the maximum tenure for my NRI Home Loan?
You can avail a maximum tenure of 30 years which varies from lender to lender depending upon age of the applicant, repayment capability and property value.
Who will get lower interest rate between Salaried applicants and Non-salaried applicants?
Salaried applicants are likely to get a slightly lower rate compared to the self-employed because of less risk involved.
How much time will it take to get my original property documents back post foreclosing of loan?
Your original property documents will be returned within 15 days from the date of closure of loan with us.
What will happen to my NRI home loan, if my status is permanently changed to resident Indian from NRI?
If your status is permanently changed to resident Indian from NRI, the lender will reassess your loan eligibility and repayment capacity. Then they will prepare a revised loan repayment schedule for your loan.
What extra benefit will I get on taking NRI home loan?
You can avail Home Loan Advisory Services in the country where you currently reside for purchase of property located in India.
Can an NRI apply for home loan through a POA holder?
Yes. NRI can apply for home loan to the lender either directly or through a POA holder.
How much tax deduction is available for NRI home loan?
- Up to Rs.1.5 lakhs on housing loan principal repayment under section 80C
- Up to Rs. 2 lakhs on interest payments if the home is lying vacant, if it is rented out, the entire interest payable can be claimed as exemption.
From which account the the repayments of NRI home loan account are to be made?
NRI home loan account repayments are to be made through borrower's NRI account or through the e-NACH mandate.
What is the maximum amount for NRI Loan?
Many bank do not have any cap on maximum amount of loan under NRI home loan category. Some banks may have. Loan amount depends upon borrower's profile and value of the property to be bought.
Can a resident Indian be the co-applicant for NRI home loan?
Yes. A resident Indian can be the co-applicant for NRI home loan but it depends upon meeting the lender's eligibility criteria.