Generally, an Indian Citizen who stays abroad for employment/carrying on business or vacationing outside India or stays abroad under circumstances indicating an intention for an uncertain duration of stay abroad or a person who is not resident in India for a period over 182 days is a non-resident Indian. Persons posted in U.N. organizations and officials deputed abroad by Central/State Governments and Public Sector Undertakings on temporary assignments are also treated as non-residents.

A home loan is sanctioned to the NRIs for any of the following housing finance schemes :
a) To purchase a house that is ready-built, under construction or from a second owner.
b) To fund the purchase of a plot of land allotted by a society/development authority.
c) For self-construction of a property on a plot of land.
d) For renovation or improvement of an existing property in India.