Aadhaar Card For NRI

If you’re an NRI, here is an easy guide to benefit from an Aadhaar Card. Make the most of this card as an authentic verification tool if you’re drawing income in India. Applying for an Aadhaar card from any Aadhaar Kendra is now easier than ever. Also, OCI card holders, LTV document holders, and other residents need an aadhaar card to benefit from the government schemes and subsidies.

Know why is it important to apply for an Aadhaar Card if you’re an NRI.

Eligibility Criteria for NRI to Apply for Aadhaar Card

If you’re an NRI and have the intent to reside in India, then Aadhaar is designed for someone like you. Let’s go through the NRI Aadhaar card eligibility criteria to apply for an Aadhaar card in India:

1. All NRIs holding Indian passports can apply for an Aadhaar card. They can log in to the UIDAI official website or visit the Aadhaar Seva Kendra in India.
2. Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan with valid passports are eligible to apply.
3. An NRI (whether minor or adult) holding a valid Indian Passport can request an Aadhaar card at any Aadhaar Enrolment Centre. For NRIs, the requirement of residing in India for 182 days is not mandatory.
4. OCI or Overseas Citizen of India who has stayed for more than 182 days.
5. Long-term visa or LTV holder belonging to Buddhist, Sikh, Parsis, Jain, or Hindu communities from countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
6. In case a foreign resident has a valid Registration certificate or permit of residence from FRRO/FRO, they will be considered eligible.

Overall, the above guidelines help you maintain the integrity & effectiveness of the Aadhaar Card System for NRIs.

NRI Aadhaar Card Documents

You need to submit specific documents, that are approved by UIDAI to enroll under Aadhaar. Make sure you carry copies of the below-listed documents and their originals when you visit the Aadhaar Kendra while applying for Aadhaar.

NRI Aadhaar Documents For Non-Residential Indians (NRIs)

1. A valid Indian passport, as Proof of Identity(POI) is a mandate requirement for NRI applicants.
2. The UIDAI-approved documents:
• Voter’s Identity card issued by Election Commission of India
• Driving licence
3. Birth Certificate
4. Credit Card statement
5. Photo ID Proof

NRI Aadhaar Documents For OCI Cardholders

For OCI cardholders, LTV document holders or Nepal and Bhutan nationals or foreign residents of any country, you will need to provide the required document for each specific category:

1. OCI Cardholder:
   Valid OCI card and foreign passport of their respective country.
2. Nepal & Bhutan Nationals:
• Passport of Nepal and Bhutan for citizens of Nepal and Bhutan respectively.
• Photo Identity Certificate issued by Nepalese Mission or Royal Bhutanese Mission in India
• Voter ID card issued by the Election Commission of Bhutan/Nepal
3. Other Countries Foreign Resident:
   Valid VISA and foreign passport of foreign residents who have stayed in India for 182 days and more in the past one year.
   (Or)
   Registration Certificates or Residential permits issued by FRRO/FRO can be accepted as address proof.

Apply for NRI Aadhaar Card

The step-by-step process for NRIs, foreign residents, Bhutan and Nepal residents with OCI cardholders, and LTV holders is as follows. You can book your appointment for an Aadhaar card online before you arrive in India:

The application process consists of two main stages.

Stage 1: Booking Online Appointment

Stage 2: Visit the Aadhaar Enrolment Centre to complete the application process

Online Appointment Booking for NRI Aadhaar Enrolment

Step 1: Visit the myAadhaar official website - myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in. Scroll down and click on ‘Book an Appointment’.

Step 2: Select the city or location where you want to book your appointment.

Step 3: Enter your mobile number, captcha & verify the OTP.

Step 4: Select the ‘Non-resident Indian’ or ‘Foreign National’ option. Then enter your DOB and select the City, State and name of the Aadhaar Centre from the drop down. Now, click on ‘Next’.

Step 5: Fill in your personal details, select the available date & time slot and submit the details to book an appointment.

Step 6: The appointment will be booked. Save the acknowledgment for future reference.

NRI Aadhaar Enrolment at Aadhaar Centre

On the day of your appointment, you must carry all the copies plus the originals needed for the Aadhaar card.

Step 1: Visit the Aadhaar Center as per the online booking schedule along with the relevant original documents.

Step 2: Verify your online booking and proceed to follow the process as directed at the Aadhaar centre.

Step 3: Provide the needed details & documents to the executive. Your photo, fingerprint, & iris scans will be taken.

Step 4: After successful completion, an acknowledgment slip with the enrolment ID will be generated and provided to you for future reference.

Once your Aadhaar number is generated, your Aadhaar card will be dispatched to your registered address, usually within 90 days.

Note: The documents may ideally vary depending on the category of NRI.

Points to Keep in Mind When Applying for NRI Aadhaar Card

Some of the key points you should keep in mind while you are applying for an Aadhaar card. They are as follows:

1. Aadhaar should not be considered proof of Indian citizenship. That does not grant any foreigner any right to stay in the country.
2. NRIs should not be compelled to link their bank account with Aadhaar. In case of not linking bank accounts, they won’t get benefits under section 7 of the Aadhaar Act.
3. If NRIs don’t have an original Aadhaar card while doing transactions, e-Aadhaar or mAadhaar can be used equally.
4. Even Aadhaar is a valid document, additional verification by officials can be carried out anytime during a transaction.
5. For LTV document holders, the aadhaar issued will be valid until the validity of LTV documents.
6. For OCI Card holders, the validity will be only for 10 years.

NRI Aadhaar Card For Minors/ Children

To apply for an Aadhaar card in the case of a minor or child of an NRI, you have to fulfill the below 2 requirements:

• If the child is under 5 years of age, one parent must do the authentication process on the child’s behalf. The guardian can permit by signing the enrollment form.
• For identification purposes, a child’s valid Indian passport is required.

NRI Aadhaar Card Benefits

The NRI Aadhaar card, designed for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) living abroad, offers a range of valuable benefits. These include:

1. Universally Accepted: Aadhaar is the widely accepted identity proof of Indians, making it easier for NRIs to have local proof of identity except for a passport.
2. KYC Procedures: Secondly, an Aadhaar or e-Aadhaar number can speed up the KYC procedures in the country to perform different transactions and services with ease.
3. Seamless Transaction: it could help streamline the paperwork concerning transactions of any property or opening a bank account.
4. Income Tax Filing: Concerning income tax, after the introduction of PAN and Aadhaar linkage, the income tax process became straightforward and user-friendly for NRIs who file tax returns in India.
5. Government Job Applications: if a returnee NRI arrives and applies for a job in the Government of India, the Aadhaar card is essential; hence, it lists career opportunity criteria.
6. Government Job Applications: if a returnee NRI arrives and applies for a job in the Government of India, the Aadhaar card is essential; hence, it lists career opportunity criteria.