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If you are searching for an Aadhaar card for NRI, the Application process for Aadhaar for NRIs, Documents Required for NRI Aadhar Card, what are the purposes and benefits of holding an Aadhaar; then you are on the right page. 

In This Article –

  • What Is Aadhar Card?
  • Do NRIs need Aadhar cards?
  • How to get an Aadhar card for NRI?

NRI Aadhar Card

Read – NRI Checklist: 8 Important Things To Do before you Become an NRI

What is Aadhaar Card?

Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the UIDAI on the government’s behalf. It is a biometric document that stores an individual’s personal information on a government database.

What is Aadhaar Card is not?

Aadhaar does NOT mean

  • Proof of Indian citizenship.
  • Rights to stay in India if other relevant conditions are not met.

Can Non-Resident Indians hold an Aadhaar?

Non-Resident Indians who have a valid Indian passport can apply for an NRIs Aadhaar Card. Earlier, the rule was that if a Non-Resident Indian has lived in the country for 182 days or more in the last year, the NRI can apply to Aadhaar. This is NOT applicable anymore, and NRIs can apply for Aadhaar on arrival to India. 

Is it compulsory for NRIs to have an Aadhaar?

It is not mandatory for NRIs to have Aadhaar. It does serve many purposes. It is slowly becoming the primary source of identification and integrated into different economic transactions.

Who Can Apply for NRI Aadhar Card?

Any individual living in India can apply for an NRI Aadhaar card. The qualification standards for the Aadhaar card is as per the following: 

  1. The individual must be over the age of 3 years. 
  2. The individual must be an Indian occupant. 
  3. Outsiders are likewise qualified for enrolment. 
  4. Outsiders living in the nation alongside NRIs are eligible for the Aadhaar card.

Requirements for Aadhar card for NRI

Before enrolling for Aadhar yojana, NRIs must have some necessary documents. Below are the documents required for the Aadhar card for NRIs.

  • School Certificate.
  • Birth Certificate
  • Photo ID Proof.

All the above documents are checked by government authorities and skillful specialists to decide whether they are substantial and qualified for an Aadhaar card. 

Check – Pan Card for NRI

What is the process for an NRI to acquire an Aadhaar?

The status can be checked on the UIDAI website. If the application is accepted, Aadhaar is delivered to India’s postal address in about 90 days. It is also available on the website and can be downloaded. A downloaded Aadhaar is equally valid as an Aadhaar that arrives by post.

NRI Aadhar Cards All Secrets You Want To Know

How to obtain an Aadhaar card for NRIs

Below we have mentioned steps for obtaining an Aadhaar card for non-resident Indians.

  • Visit any nearby Aadhaar Kendra. 
  • Carry your Indian Passport with you.
  • Fill in all the details in the Aadhar enrolment form.
  • Ask the administrator to enroll you as NRI.
  • Giving an Email ID is compulsory for NRI.

How does an NRI procure Aadhaar for their children who are NRIs?

The enrolment form has to be authenticated by a parent/guardian on behalf of the child (person less than 18 years of age). A valid Passport as proof of identity and address has to be submitted.

Is it mandatory for an NRI to link the PAN and Aadhaar?

NRIs don’t need to link PAN with Aadhaar as Aadhaar is not mandatory for NRIs. But having an Aadhaar might make some financial transactions simpler. So, you may want to link Aadhaar to your PAN.

aadhar card for nri

Must Read- How to Apply For NRI Credit Cards

How can I link it with PAN?

Linking the Aadhaar and PAN is quite simple. You can go to the Income Tax website and click on Link Aadhaar’ on the left-hand side menu. The page to link the two will display. Complete the web form to finalize the transaction. You can check the status here

What are the purposes and benefits of holding an Aadhaar?

It is a single source offline/online identity verification across the country. It is used for authentication and verification in many transactions. It is a document that combines age proof, address proof, and identity proof. Since it is an online document, authentication and verification can happen anywhere and anytime. It also serves as proof of welfare programs and subsidies. It is easy to open bank accounts and apply for a passport if you have an Aadhaar. Aadhaar is mandatory in many cases for a resident Indian.

What else should I know about Aadhaar?

  • There is no online process as of now to apply for Aadhaar.
  • Obtaining Aadhaar does not involve any fees.
  • While filling the enrolment form, the declaration is a little different for NRIs from the one for residents. It is essential to read and understand it before signing the enrolment form.
  • Currently, the Aadhaar process does not support international numbers nor international addresses for correspondence.
  • If the NRI does not have an Indian address in the Passport, any other document that is the list of approved address documents can be submitted.

From the above article, we hope you understand all the important information regarding the Aadhar card for NRIs. If you have any Information about NRI Aadhar Card, then you can contact us. We are happy to help you. 

Published on March 9, 2022

Hemant Beniwal


Hemant Beniwal is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER and his Company Ark Primary Advisors Pvt Ltd is registered as an Investment Adviser with SEBI. Hemant is also a member of the Financial Planning Association, U.S.A and registered as a life planner with Kinder Institute of Life Planning, U.S.A. He started his Financial Planning Practice in 2009 & is among the first generation of financial planners in India. He also authored Bestseller book "Financial Life Planning". 

    • Hi Eldho Chettiyamkudiyil Poulose,
      No, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are not required to stay in India for 182 days to get an Aadhaar card. However, there are specific rules and guidelines that NRIs should follow to obtain an Aadhaar card.

    • Hi Karan,
      For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to apply for an Aadhaar card, they generally need to have an Indian passport. The Indian passport serves as one of the primary documents for identity verification in the Aadhaar application process.

    • Hi Rajan,
      When you deposit foreign currency into a bank account in India, the amount is converted into Indian Rupees (INR) rather than being held in the original foreign currency. This is because Indian banks generally do not maintain accounts in foreign currencies for individual depositors, and the Indian banking system operates primarily in INR.

  • If a Resident Indian becomes NRI and subsequently OCI, then does the Aadhaar card held by Resident Indian need changes

    • Hello Harish
      Yes, as an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) resident abroad, you can apply for an Aadhaar card in India if you have any valid Indian identity and address proofs. Since you have agricultural land in India, you can use that as your address proof.

    • Hello jay
      No, an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card holder who is staying in the UK cannot apply for an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) Aadhaar card. NRI Aadhaar card is only available for Indian citizens who are living abroad and hold a valid Indian passport.

    • Hello
      As per the latest guidelines issued by the Indian government, it is not mandatory for an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) to have an Aadhaar card. However, an NRI may need to obtain an Aadhaar card for certain purposes, such as:
      1.To file income tax returns
      2.To link bank accounts and PAN card
      3.To avail of certain government schemes and services

      It is important to note that an NRI who does not have an Aadhaar card can use other documents such as passport, PAN card, and driving license as proof of identity and address in India. However, it is advisable to consult with a financial or legal expert to understand the specific requirements and implications related to Aadhaar card for NRIs.

    • Hi Bharat,

      Yes, Non-Residential Indians (NRIs) are eligible to apply for an Aadhaar card, which is the Indian government’s official identity document for citizens and residents of India. NRIs who have been living in India for more than 182 days in the preceding 12 months can apply for an Aadhaar card. They need to provide proof of identity and address in India, along with biometric data (photograph, fingerprints, and iris scan).

      It’s important to note that, while Aadhaar is widely used as a proof of identity in India, it may not be accepted as such outside of India. NRIs may still need to carry a passport or other government-issued ID for international travel and other purposes.

  • Hi Hemant, if an OCI has pan linked with adhar, is the withholding on property sale, still 21%? How is a buyer supposed to know that a seller is NRI?

  • Informative article, thanks. May I request a couple of things –

    (a) the use of the word “outsider” is confusing, could you consider revising it, and

    (b) an OCI card holder is considered “Indian” for almost all practical purposes, so, can an OCI card be submitted in lieu of the Indian Passport to apply for the Aadhar card ??

    Appreciate your indulgence, thanks in advance.

    • Hi Sree,
      Yes, OCI cardholders can get an Aadhaar card if they have resided in India for a period of 182 days or more in one year immediately preceding the date of application for enrolment.

  • Excellent article and very useful information.Request you to clarify that in case the NRI has already obtained an Aadhar Card ,before he became an NRI,can he continue holding the same after he becomes a NRI, especially now,since now a NRI has been allowed to apply for an Aadhar Card

  • The Indian Citizen holding Aadhar Card subsequently becomes NRI. Is there any requirement to change status and procedure?

  • I am a NRI since last 3 years. The registered add in my aadhar and pan are not valid anymore, since we have changed the residence in India. Since I am not in India and not planning to go anytime soon, how do I change the registered address on my aadhar and pan?

    • Hi Mudit

      Yes, You can update the Address in Aadhar using the UIDAI portal online and after updating it in Aadhar, it can be done in Pan also through online.

  • Thanks very much Hemant for clarifying the rules around Aadhar for NRIs. There has been so much confusion on this. I and my family members got Aadhar cards issued on one of our visits to India, and afterwards we were told it was a “crime” to hold Aadhar cards as NRIs! Yet, all government processes now accept it as ID (rightly so)… This article will help many NRI friends. Really very useful.

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