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NRI Legal Guides: Indian Law Explained for Overseas Indians

Clear, practical explanations of Indian property, inheritance, family, tax and court procedures — written for people living outside India, with steps, document checklists and country notes.

  • Step-by-step guides with checklists
  • Country notes for documents signed abroad
  • Reviewed and dated
  • Links to the right legal help

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Property

Power of attorney, title checks, occupants, RERA, partition and mutation.
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Inheritance & Documentation

Heirs’ rights, succession certificates, probate, apostille and attestation.
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Family & OCI

Foreign divorce, custody, maintenance and marriage registration.
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Tax, Banking & FEMA

Property-sale tax, TDS, notices, NRE/NRO and repatriation.
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Business, Courts & Criminal

Business setup, hearings by video, FIRs, cheque bounce and recovery.
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Country Guides

Signing documents in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, UAE and more.
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Latest

Latest NRI Guides

New and recently updated guides.

Travelling to India with a Pending Criminal Case

What NRIs with a pending FIR or criminal case should check before travelling to India — warrants, proclamations, bail, Look Out Circulars, passports and leaving again.

Look Out Circulars Explained: What NRIs Should Know

What a Look Out Circular is, who can request one, what happens at the airport, and how NRIs can find out about and challenge an LOC.

Victim of Fraud or Cybercrime in India? Steps to Take from Abroad

An urgent checklist for NRIs hit by online fraud, property forgery or investment scams in India — reporting, freezing funds, police complaints and civil remedies.

Recovering Money Owed in India: Options for NRIs

How NRIs can recover loans, deposits and unpaid business dues in India — legal notice, summary suits, commercial mediation, arbitration, MSME facilitation, insolvency and limitation.

Cheque Bounce Cases in India: The Section 138 Process for NRIs

The step-by-step timeline of a cheque bounce case under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, and how NRIs can file or defend one from abroad.

Key Legal Documents for Overseas Indians Doing Business in India

The core legal documents NRIs and OCIs should have when running or investing in an Indian business — constitution, ownership, contracts, people, IP and compliance.

Popular questions

What NRIs Ask Most Often

Can I handle my property in India without travelling?

Usually yes, through a specific power of attorney signed abroad, attested or apostilled, and stamped in India within three months of arrival.

Can NRIs and OCI cardholders inherit agricultural land?

Yes. Inheritance is allowed for all kinds of property, even though NRIs and OCIs cannot buy agricultural land.

Is a divorce granted abroad valid in India?

Only if it meets Section 13 of the Code of Civil Procedure. Decrees where both spouses took part are more likely to be recognised.

Do I need an apostille or embassy attestation?

It depends on whether your country is a party to the Apostille Convention and what the Indian office receiving the document accepts.

How much tax is deducted when an NRI sells property?

The buyer must deduct TDS for a non-resident seller. A lower deduction certificate can reduce it to the tax actually due.

Can I attend an Indian court hearing from abroad?

Many courts allow video appearance under their rules, with the court’s permission in each case.

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The information provided is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Applicable laws and procedures may vary depending on the facts, jurisdiction, and circumstances of each matter. Consult a qualified legal professional before taking action. Last reviewed: November 2026.