Indian citizens and OCI cardholders in Laos can buy and sell residential and commercial property in India, other than agricultural land and farmhouses, without RBI permission. Payments must be made through banking channels. On a sale, the buyer deducts TDS at non-resident rates, which can be reduced with a lower deduction certificate, and proceeds can be repatriated within limits.
- Document route
- Lao notary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs legalisation, then Indian Embassy attestation
- Time difference
- IST is 1h30 behind Laos all year
- Rules
- FEMA (Non-Debt Instruments) Rules 2019
- Not allowed to buy
- Agricultural land, plantation, farmhouse
Buying & Selling Property from Laos: how it works
For a purchase, we search the title for at least 30 years, check approvals and encumbrances, review the agreement and complete registration through your attorney holder. For a sale, we verify your title, draft the deed, apply for lower TDS where appropriate and plan the remittance.
We also advise on letting the property while you are away and the tax on rental income.
If part of the purchase price comes from salary earned in Laos, remit it to your NRE account first, so that the investment and later sale proceeds remain freely repatriable.
What clients in Laos should know
- Use NRE or NRO accounts for payments.
- Seek the lower TDS certificate well before completion.
- Keep all purchase records for tax.
Step by step from Laos
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Laos, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Laos
Lao notary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs legalisation, then Indian Embassy attestation
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in Laos where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Laos. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Buying & Selling Property, or see all services for clients in Laos and the NRI Property Law practice area.
Questions from clients in Laos
Can I buy property in India while working in Laos?
Yes, as an NRI, except agricultural land and farmhouses.
Can I send the sale money to Laos?
Yes, within repatriation limits after tax.
Do I need to travel?
No, a power of attorney is enough.
Should I pay from my NRE or NRO account?
NRE is usually better for money earned abroad, as it keeps repatriation simple.