As per the Aadhaar Act, 2016, every individual who qualifies as a resident Indian under the Aadhar Act is eligible to get an Aadhaar card. Resident, as per the Aadhar Act, is a person who has been living in India for a period of 182 days or more in the preceding 12 months. Hence, new Aadhaar Act for NRIs allows Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), as well as PIO and OCI cardholders, staying in India for a minimum of 182 days in 12 months to apply for an Aadhaar number.
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Can an NRI get an Aadhaar number under New Aadhaar Act?
Initially, an NRI who wished to apply for an Aadhaar card had to stay in India for an aggregate of at least 182 days in 12 months before applying for it. However, in July 2019, an amendment was made to the bill to ensure quicker processing, proposing that UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) will now issue Aadhaar cards on arrival for NRIs. NRIs must hold Indian passports to get Aadhaar on Arrival. However, NRI Aadhaar application process remains the same.
Aadhaar card for foreigners in India
As far as the Aadhaar card for foreigners in India is concerned, the Aadhaar Act is equally applicable for all individuals. As per the new Aadhaar Act for NRIs or foreigners, an individual, whether NRI or foreign national, who has stayed in India for 182 days or more in the 12 months, is eligible to apply for Aadhaar.
Aadhaar enrolment procedure for NRIs
The Aadhaar requirements and enrolment procedure for NRIs are the same as that for resident Indians. Here are the steps you need to follow to apply for Aadhaar for NRIs:
Step 1. Book an appointment
You can book an appointment both online and offline. Below are the steps for an online appointment. NRIs can book an appointment even before they arrive in India.
- Visit the official website of UIDAI and click on the ‘Book an Appointment’ link.
- Select city/ location and proceed to book an appointment.
- Provide your Indian mobile number and book an appointment slot.
Offline mode: If you are in India, you can directly visit an Aadhaar centre to book a biometric appointment.
While appointment booking is possible both online and offline, you will have to be physically present in India to complete the biometric authentication for the Aadhaar card.
Step 2: You need to submit all the necessary documents to establish your identity as an NRI. Here are the UIDAI approved documents for Aadhaar card for NRIs:
- A valid Indian passport as identity proof, address proof and date of the birth document.
- If the passport of an NRI doesn’t have an Indian address, he/she can submit any of the other UIDAI approved address proof documents.
- Revised application form with a modified declaration for NRI is attached as Annexure.
- NRIs may be asked to furnish other documents for evidence of their residence status with another like a photocopy of stamped visa/ work permit.
You need to submit these documents when visiting the UIDAI enrolment centre. Don’t forget to carry the originals for verification.
Step 3: You need to visit the UIDAI enrolment centre to give your biometric details as under:
- Biometric of all ten fingers
- A scan of irises of both eyes
- A photograph
The verifiers at the Aadhaar centre will ensure that above procedures are followed for enrolment of an NRI.
After verification, your Aadhaar will be sent to your registered address in India. It may take up to 90 days after enrolment.
e-Aadhaar: Registration process and benefits
Once you apply for the Aadhaar card, you can access an electronic version of it, which is known as an e-Aadhaar. The e-Aadhaar contains all the details as the hard copy of Aadhaar including your name, address, date of birth, photograph, etc. Here are the steps to access your e-Aadhaar:
- Visit the official website of UIDAI and enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number
- If you don’t have Aadhaar number, you can enter your Aadhaar enrolment number along with the time and date of the application as mentioned on the receipt.
- You will receive an OTP on your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP.
- Enter the first four letters of your name and your date of birth in the required format to open the PDF file containing the e-Aadhaar.
- Download the same on your device.
NRIs can use the e-Aadhaar card as a unique identifier and KYC document for any financial or regulatory transactions.
Linking of Aadhar and Pan card for NRIs Under IT Act
Aadhaar card is an essential document for every citizen in India. Issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Aadhaar is a centralised system of identification via a 12-digit random number that is linked to the biometric data of an Individual. Aadhaar number is very important for availing services in India. As per the Section 139AA of the Income Tax Act, it is mandatory to link your PAN with your Aadhaar number. NRIs also need to link their PAN with Aadhaar.
Although it is not mandatory as per the Income Tax Act, NRIs should link their PAN with Aadhaar. If an NRI is not able to link his PAN with Aadhaar, he needs to update his residential status as an NRI on the Income Tax portal online. If you don’t inform the Income Tax Department about your residential status and don’t link PAN Aadhaar, your PAN number may become inoperative.
Note: PAN Aadhaar linking last date has been extended from 30th March 2023 to 30th June 2023.
Irrespective of your citizenship, Indian citizens and people of Indian origin must know the difference between your residential status such as PIO vs OCI cardholders, NRIs, foreigners, etc.
Whether you are an NRI or resident Indian, Aadhaar card serves as a unique identifier and is crucial for financial transactions in India from account opening to income tax filing and a lot more. At SBNRI, we help NRIs in all possible ways to obtain an Aadhaar card or understand its uses.
You can download SBNRI App from the Google Play Store or App Store to ask any questions related to Aadhar card for NRIs, NRI account opening online and tax filing in India. To ask any questions, click on the button below. Also visit our blog and YouTube channel for more details.
FAQs
As per the Aadhaar Act, any individual who has spent 180 days or more in India in the preceding 12 months is a resident.
Unique Identification Authority of India is mandated to issue a 12-digit random number as a unique identity Aadhaar to all residents in India. Anyone who stays in India for a period of minimum 182 days in 12 months is a resident Indian under the Aadhaar Act. Aadhaar act is valid for NRIs, PIOs, OCIs and foreign nationals.
NRIs need to link their PAN with Aadhaar, although it is not mandatory as per the Income Tax Act. However, if an NRI is not able to link his PAN with Aadhaar, he needs to update his residential status as an NRI on the Income Tax e-filing portal online. If you don’t inform the Income Tax Department about your residential status and don’t link PAN Aadhaar, your PAN number may become inoperative.
Since it is mandatory to stay in India for 182 days or more in 12 months to become a resident under the Aadhaar act, NRIs as well as PIO and OCI cardholders can’t get an Aadhaar card if they didn’t stay in India for 182 days.
