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

The Aadhaar card is an indispensable identification document provided by the Government of India to the citizens. It assigns you a unique 12-digit number corresponding to your biometric data and helps access government services, banks, and subsidies, adding much-needed transparency while reducing fraud. 

In addition, a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) must get an Aadhaar card, as it facilitates a wide range of transactions and services while living abroad. In this article, we will discuss the eligibility criteria, documents required and other necessary information for an Aadhaar card for NRI. 

Eligibility Criteria for NRI Aadhaar Card

The following individuals are eligible to apply for an Aadhaar card in India:

• Non-resident Indians, whether minors or adults, possessing a valid Indian passport can apply for an Aadhaar card from any Aadhaar enrolment centre in India. 
• An Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) must have stayed in India for at least 182 days in the past one year to be eligible for applying for an Aadhaar card.
• Long Term Visa (LTV) holders from minority communities, such as Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are eligible to apply for an Aadhaar card.
• Nationals of Nepal and Bhutan can apply for an Aadhaar card with valid passports or other relevant documents.
• Other resident foreigners who lived in India for more than 182 days in the preceding 12 months can apply for Aadhaar.
• Resident foreigners with a valid Registration Certificate or residential permit with FRO/FRRO, apart from OCI cardholders, LTV document holders or citizens of Nepal or Bhutan.

Documents Required for NRIs, OCIs, LTV Holders, Nepalese, Bhutanese, and Other Foreign Nationals:

How to Apply for an Aadhaar Card for NRI?

The enrolment process for NRIs, OCI cardholders, LTV holders, Nepal and Bhutan nationals and other resident foreigners generally includes the following steps:

Step 1: Open the UIDAI website and book an appointment at your nearest  Aadhaar enrolment centre to avoid long queues. You can book an appointment at the Aadhaar enrolment centre by clicking on ‘My Aadhaar’ and then on ‘Book an Appointment’ under the ‘Get Aadhaar’ section and entering the required details.

Step 2: Visit the Aadhaar enrolment centre at the scheduled date and time. Carry the relevant documents as accepted by UIDAI according to your applicant type.

Step 3: Fill out the enrolment form. Please remember to read and sign the declaration in your enrolment form. 

Step 4: Request the operator to enrol you as an NRI, OCI cardholder, LTV holder, Nepal or Bhutan national or other resident foreigner.

Step 5: Complete the biometric capture process, such as fingerprint, iris and facial scan.

Step 6: Confirm that all details on the screen are correct before letting the operator submit the information.

Step 7: Collect the enrolment acknowledgement slip with an enrolment ID and date and time stamp. You can use it to check the Aadhaar card status online. 

Things to Keep in Mind about Aadhaar Cards for NRIs & Foreigners

There are certain things you must keep in mind when applying for an Aadhaar card for NRIs and foreign nationals:

• Having an Aadhaar card will greatly simplify a number of non-indigenous resident procedures, but it is not mandatory. 
• An Aadhaar card does not provide proof of Indian citizenship or the right to stay for any foreigner in India until they fulfil other requirements.
• None of the NRIs are being compelled under the law to link their bank accounts with Aadhaar if they do not intend to take benefits listed under section 7 of the Aadhaar Act.
• The Aadhaar card is a document that encompasses many important aspects. However, it is almost unlikely that Aadhaar alone will define your right to a particular type of service, as authorities can do further verification to ensure coverage against the slightest lapse.
• The Aadhaar issued to such foreigners will be valid only until the expiry of their visa in India. However, for Nepal/Bhutan nationals, an Aadhaar will be considered valid for only 10 years.
• You can also use an Aadhaar letter or e-Aadhaar or enter the mAadhaar profile as ID proof in certain transactions/functions, even if the original card is not available. All have an equal amount of authenticity.
• The Aadhaar issued for OCI cardholders will be valid only for 10 years.
• The validity of Aadhaar in the case of holders of LTV will remain until the expiry of the validity of the LTV document.

Aadhaar Card Form for NRIs

There are different Aadhaar enrolment forms depending on residence or non-residence status. Below are the Aadhaar enrolment forms for NRIs and foreign nationals:

• Form 1: For NRIs having proof of address in India.
• Form 2: For NRIs having proof of address outside India.
• Form 7: For other resident foreign nationals.

The Aadhaar enrollment form can be downloaded free of cost from the UIDAI’s website or can be obtained at the Aadhaar enrollment centres.

Aadhaar Card Form for NRI Minors

Below are the Aadhaar enrolment forms for NRIs and foreign nationals minors:

• Form 3: For NRI children aged above 5 years but below 18 years having proof of address in India.
• Form 4: For NRI children aged above 5 years but below 18 years having proof of address outside India.
• Form 5: For NRI children aged below 5 years having proof of address in India.
• Form 6: For NRI children aged above 5 years having proof of address outside India.
• Form 8: Form other resident foreign nationals aged below 18 years.

The Aadhaar enrollment form can be downloaded free of cost from the UIDAI’s website or can be obtained at the Aadhaar enrollment centres.

Aadhaar Card For NRI with Foreign Passport

NRIs holding foreign passports can apply for Aadhaar if they fulfil the 182-day residency in India requirement. The applicant can use their foreign passports for identity verification along with proof of an Indian address or documentary proof of the applicant’s NRI bank account status.

Aadhaar Card For NRI without Indian Passport

Foreign passports or OCI cards can be considered for NRIs who do not possess an Indian passport. They must have completed 182 days of residence in India and provide proof of identity and residency. In addition, providing an Indian address or bank account details is optional but may be useful during the application process.

Being India’s one of the most crucial recognition documents, the Aadhaar card has been increasingly accepted as proof of identification and access to related indispensable services. In the case of NRIs, the Aadhaar card will provide them with an easy, secure mode of identity validation and related services in India. Aadhaar card for NRIs is a crucial document if they intend to go to India for a protracted period.