Aadhaar cards are accessible for NRIs (Non-Resident Indians), OCI cardholders, LTV document holders, Nepal & Bhutan nationals, and other resident foreigners at no charge. To obtain one, individuals must visit their nearest Aadhaar Enrolment Centre in India. Aadhaar card is useful for those earning income in the country and serves as a crucial form of identification. NRIs can benefit from government job opportunities upon their return, as well as access government subsidy and social security schemes. Keep reading to learn more about eligibility, required documents, and the application process for foreigners living in India and NRIs.
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Eligibility Criteria for NRIs to Apply For Aadhaar CardThe Aadhaar card in India is accessible to the following individuals:
1. Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), whether minors or adults, with a valid Indian Passport. They must be present in India for at least 182 days per year to apply.
2. Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) who have resided in India for a minimum of 182 days in the preceding year.
3. Long Term Visa (LTV) holders from minority communities in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians.
4. Nationals of Nepal and Bhutan with valid passports or relevant documents.
5. Other resident foreigners who have stayed in India for over 182 days in the past year.
6. Resident foreigners with a valid Registration Certificate or residential permit issued by FRRO/FRO, excluding those with OCI or LTV status, as well as Nepali or Bhutanese nationals.
Documents Required for NRIs to Apply For Aadhaar CardTo obtain an Aadhaar card for NRIs, OCI cardholders, LTV document holders, Nepal & Bhutan nationals, and other Resident Foreigners, specific documents are needed.
1. For NRIs applying for Aadhaar, a valid Indian Passport is mandatory as Proof of Identity (PoI). Additional documents such as Birth Certificate, Photo ID Proof, or School Certificate may be accepted. However, NRIs must also provide documents proving their relationship with another country.
2. OCI cardholders must submit their valid OCI card and foreign passport as ID proof.
3. For LTV document holders, a valid Long Term VISA (LTV) document and either a valid or expired foreign passport serve as identity and address proof.
4. Nepal and Bhutan nationals can submit their respective passports as identity proof. If unavailable, alternative documents like Bhutanese/Nepalese Citizenship Certificate or Voter Identity Card can be provided.
5. Other resident foreigners need to provide identity proof in the form of a valid VISA and foreign passport if they have stayed in India for over 182 days in the past year. Alternatively, a Registration Certificate or Residential permit issued by FRRO/FRO is accepted as an address proof.
Aadhaar Card Application Process for NRIsThe process to enrol for an Aadhaar card for NRIs, OCI cardholders, LTV holders, Nepal & Bhutan nationals, and other resident foreigners involves several steps:
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1. Visit any Aadhaar Seva Kendra, either by booking an appointment beforehand or walking in. Booking an appointment is advisable to avoid long queues. You can learn how to book an appointment for Aadhaar Enrolment online.
2. Bring along the relevant documents accepted by UIDAI, depending on your applicant type.
3. Complete the enrollment form. For NRIs, providing an email id is mandatory. Make sure to carefully read and sign the declaration in the enrollment form. You can download the Aadhaar Enrollment/Update form for Resident Foreigners online.
4. Inform the operator that you are enrolling as an NRI, OCI cardholder, LTV holder, Nepal & Bhutan national, or other resident foreigner.
5. Get done with the biometric capture process.
6. Verify and confirm all the details displayed on the screen, which are provided in both English and the local language, before allowing the operator to submit the information.
7. Obtain the enrolment/acknowledgement slip, which contains your 14-digit enrolment ID along with the date and time stamp. This slip is essential for checking your Aadhaar Card Status online.
Things to Keep in Mind about Aadhaar Card for NRIs & ForeignersHere are some important points to consider if you’re applying for an Aadhaar card as an NRI, OCI cardholder, LTV document holder, Nepal & Bhutan national, or other resident foreigner:
1. While having an Aadhaar card can streamline many processes for non-Indian residents in the country, it’s not mandatory.
2. An Aadhaar card doesn’t confer Indian citizenship or the right to stay in the country if other requirements aren’t met.
3. NRIs aren’t required to link their bank accounts with Aadhaar unless they wish to avail benefits under section 7 of the Aadhaar Act.
4. If you don’t have your original Aadhaar card, you can use the Aadhaar letter, e-Aadhaar, or mAadhaar profile as ID proof, all of which have the same validity.
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5. While Aadhaar is a comprehensive document, additional verifications may be required by authorities to ensure accuracy.
6. Aadhaar issued to resident foreigners is valid only until the visa’s expiration date. For Nepal/Bhutan nationals, it’s valid for ten years. Similarly, for OCI cardholders and LTV document holders, the validity is also ten years.
