Aadhaar Card for NRIs: How to Apply and Its Importance

Aadhaar is a 12-digit identification number issued by the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India). Aadhaar serves as a unique identifier for the individual for availing several government and private sector services in India. 

Aadhaar is not mandatory for NRIs. But having one makes it easier to access and avail legal, financial, government services and property transactions in India. 

In this blog we will look into the eligibility criteria, documents required, and enrolment process of the Aadhaar card for NRIs. 

Aadhaar Card for NRIs - Eligibility, Application Process & Documents Required

Eligibility Criteria for Aadhaar Card for NRIs 

For resident Indians, one must lived in India for 182 days in the last one year to apply for Aadhaar. This rule is relaxed for NRIs if they have an Indian passport. 

Both minor and adults are eligible to apply for Aadhaar card. They can enrol by visiting the designated enrolment centres or Aadhaar Seva Kendra (ASK) in India. 

How to Apply For an Aadhaar Card for NRIs? 

NRIs having valid Indian Passports can apply for an Aadhaar card. Appointments for visiting Aadhaar Seva Kendra (ASK) in India can be taken online or offline. 

For children below 5 years of age, a ‘Bal Aadhaar’ card is issued (blue in colour and linked to the parent's Aadhaar card), which requires re-enrolment after the age of 5 and 15 years in order to update the child’s biometric data. 

Understand the latest Income Tax Rules for NRIs in India to manage your taxes efficiently.

Here is a guide for NRIs to apply for an Aadhaar Card:

Step 1: Schedule an appointment

Visit the UIDAI website and find the nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra or Enrolment Center in India. Click on the My Aadhaar section and then Book an Appointment section. You can schedule an appointment online on the website. An important point to note here is that the UIDAI website is not accessible outside India. 

Step 2: Fill in the enrolment form

You need to download the Form-2 from UIDAI’s website and fill in the details. After filling in the Form-2, visit the enrolment centre.

Step 3: Submission of documents

Visit the centre on your appointment date with the required documents. For NRIs, your passport will suffice as proof of identity, proof of address, and date of birth. 

If you want to give a different address from what is there on your passport, you need to show other acceptable documents. These documents can be bank statement or voter ID or utility bill which is not older than 3 months. The complete list of acceptable documents can be found on the UIDAI website.

Submit all the relevant documents along with the signed enrolment form at the Aadhaar Seva Kendra. Ensure to carry the originals of all the documents for the verification process. 

Step 4: Enrolment as NRI 

Ask the centre's operator to enrol you as a NRI. 

Step 5: Biometric data collection 

The applicant’s biometric details, such as fingerprints of all ten fingers and iris scans, along with the photograph, are recorded at the enrolment centre. 

Step 6: Get the acknowledgement slip

Once all the documents are submitted, and verified and biometric data is collected, the NRI applicant will receive an acknowledgment slip. It contains an enrolment ID which can be used for tracking the status of the Aadhaar card application. Status can be checked online on the official website of UIDAI.

After step five, you would receive a digital copy of the Aadhaar card. You will receive the physical copy of the Aadhaar card within 90 days of application. 

Important point to note:

The UIDAI website mentions that you can give an international mobile number but SMS will not be delivered to your international number. This means that you won’t get OTPs etc. on your foreign number which defeats the purpose of using Aadhaar to authenticate your identity in many places. Giving your Indian phone is the best way forward in this scenario. 

| Also Read:

• ​TDS on rent for NRIs​
• NRI Taxation in India​

Wrapping Up!

The conclusion is very simple: though the NRIs might apply for an Aadhaar card, an NRI must also understand that there is no compulsion for an Aadhaar card. However, going for an Aadhaar card would mean that you have easier access to various services and transactions in India.

​Need to file India taxes as an NRI? Check out the NRI Tax Filing Service by Belong.