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An Aadhaar card is a vital document required for various activities, such as income tax* e-filing, bank account opening, etc. Both resident and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) can apply for an Aadhaar card by visiting the official portal of the UIDAI
The Aadhaar card is one of the essential documents for all Indian citizens. It contains a unique 12-digit Aadhaar number linked to the biometric and demographic details of the applicant. These include a colour photo, both irises, and the fingerprints of all ten fingers, along with the name, gender, address, and date of birth.
The government has made it mandatory for all Indians above 18 to link their Aadhaar cards with their Permanent Account Numbers (PAN) and bank accounts. Furthermore, an Aadhaar card is required to apply for a loan, get a new SIM card, income tax* e-filing, and avail of various other services within the country.
Importance of Aadhaar Card for NRIs
Initially, the Aadhaar card was available only for resident Indians. For NRIs, it was mandatory to reside in India for at least 182 days before they could apply for an Aadhaar card.
However, in July 2019, the Government of India normalised on-arrival Aadhaar cards for NRIs, abolishing the need for them to reside in India for a minimum of 182 days. They can now apply for an Aadhaar card in the same way as resident Indians.
Below are a few reasons that illustrate the importance of an Aadhaar card for NRIs:
- An Aadhaar card is necessary for KYC procedures, which is mandatory for all online financial transactions in India.
- An Aadhaar card is accepted as proof of identity and proof of address for various activities, such as buying a property in India, opening a bank account, etc.
- As per section 139AA of the Income Tax Act of 1961, an Aadhaar card is mandatory for income tax e-filing in India.
- An Aadhaar card is necessary for availing of the benefits of all government subsidies and social welfare schemes in India.
- An Aadhaar card is required to get employment in India, specifically in the government sector.
How can NRIs Apply for an Aadhaar Card?
The process of Aadhaar card application for NRIs entails three essential steps:
Visit the Official UIDAI Portal to Book an Appointment
As per the Aadhaar Act of 2016, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is authorised for the enrolment and management of Aadhaar cards in India. The first step of the Aadhaar card application for NRIs requires them to book an online appointment for enrolment on UIDAI’s portal.
Below are the steps for the same:
Step 1: Navigate to the official portal of the UIDAI.
Step 2: Select the preferred language to enter the portal.
Step 3: Go to the “My Aadhaar” section on the top-right corner of the home page.
Step 4: Select the “Book an Appointment” option in the drop-down menu.
Step 5: Select the city of residence in India before clicking on the “Proceed to Book Appointment” button.
Step 6: On the next page, fill in your mobile number and captcha code, and hit the “Generate OTP” button. For NRIs, it is mandatory to submit an Indian mobile number.
Step 7: Select the resident type as “NON-RESIDENT INDIAN”, enter the email id, and click on the “Send OTP'' button. Enter the OTP in the relevant box and click on the “Proceed” button to login
Step 8: Select the nearest Aadhaar enrolment centre and a convenient appointment slot.
NRIs can book their Aadhaar appointment online even before they arrive in India. Alternatively, they can directly visit an Aadhaar enrolment centre after their arrival to book an appointment offline.
Submit the Required Documents at the Aadhaar Enrolment Centre
The next step of the Aadhaar card application for NRIs involves the submission of the required documents. The applicant needs to visit the Aadhaar enrolment centre at the appointment date and slot and submit copies of all the documents required for an Aadhaar card for NRIs along with a duly-filled enrolment form.
Provide the Biometric Details
After receiving the documents, the officials at the enrolment centre will initiate a process to verify them. After successful verification, they will capture the biometric details of the applicant by scanning all ten fingerprints and the irises of both eyes before taking a photograph through a webcam. These data will remain protected in a government database.
After the completion of the process, the applicant will receive an acknowledgement slip containing a 14-digit Aadhaar enrolment number.
Within a few days, a unique Aadhaar ID will be generated, and the Aadhaar card will be sent to the registered mailing address of the applicant. They can also download their e-Aadhaar from the UIDAI website.
How can NRIs Check their Aadhaar Status?
The applicant can check their Aadhaar status by visiting the UIDAI website and following the steps mentioned below:
Step 1: Go to the “My Aadhaar” section and click on the “Check Aadhaar Status” option
Step 2: Enter the 14-digit enrolment number and captcha before clicking on the “Submit” button
Step 3: The Aadhaar status will be displayed on the screen.
Eligibility Criteria for NRIs to Apply for an Aadhaar Card
Below are the eligibility criteria NRIs need to fulfil before they can apply for an Aadhaar card:
- The age of the applicant must be at least three years.
- The applicant must be holding a valid Indian Passport. Applying for an Aadhaar card for NRIs with foreign passports is not allowed.
- The applicant must have all the documents required for an Aadhaar card for NRIs.
Please note that the government may revise the eligibility criteria for Aadhaar cards for NRIs. Hence, one must check the UIDAI website for the latest guidelines before proceeding.
Documents Required for Aadhaar Card for NRIs
Below are the documents NRIs need to possess to apply for an Aadhaar card:
- A valid Indian Passport
- Birth certificate
- Documents to prove the NRI status of the applicant
- An address proof with an Indian address
These are the mandatory documents required for an Aadhaar card for NRIs. However, they may also need to submit some additional documents at the time of application.
Things to Know About Aadhaar Card for NRIs
Below are some additional facts concerning Aadhaar card for NRIs:
- It is not a legal requirement for NRIs to apply for an Aadhaar card. However, the Aadhaar card is a compulsory document for income tax e-filing in India
- An Aadhaar card is not proof of Indian citizenship. It does not permit an NRI to participate in voting and other activities in India if they do not comply with the requirements
- NRIS do not need to link their PAN cards and bank accounts with Aadhaar cards unless they want to avail of the benefits under section 7 of the Aadhaar Act
- Aadhaar card for US citizens of Indian origin and other foreign nationals can only be issued if they are holding an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card and can fulfil other statutory requirements
- NRIs can also use the electronic version of Aadhaar – known as e-Aadhaar or m-Aadhaar – as a valid document instead of the physical Aadhaar card
