Aadhaar Card: The Aadhaar Card has become a crucial aspect of people’s lives today. It is required in various situations. Many processes can be delayed without it. This document is essential for accessing government benefits. Without an Aadhaar Card, tasks can be hindered in any institution, from banks to others. Foreign nationals frequently travel to and from India. Many of them reside in India under specific terms and conditions. This raises the question of whether Aadhaar Cards are also issued to foreign citizens. Let’s explore the rules set by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) regarding this matter.
It’s important to mention that a lot of people in India are unclear about the distinction between NRIs and OCIs. NRIs are complete Indian citizens, whereas OCI cardholders, although they are foreign nationals, enjoy several rights in India. OCI cardholders can apply for an Aadhaar card under certain terms and conditions. UIDAI has established provisions for this. Therefore, foreign citizens can indeed obtain an Aadhaar card, but they must adhere to specific rules and conditions.
How to apply for an Aadhaar card as a foreign citizen?
Foreign nationals do not possess Indian passports. Nevertheless, they have the right to live, work, and buy property in India. According to UIDAI guidelines, foreign nationals (OCI) cardholders who have spent a minimum of 182 days in India during a year are eligible to apply for an Aadhaar card.
They need to have a valid address in India. In this application process, they must register as a “Resident Foreign National.” Providing proof of identity and address is essential for the application. A valid foreign passport along with an OCI card is necessary for identification, while any other recognized document in India is needed for address verification.
These documents are essential
When applying for an Aadhaar card, an OCI cardholder must submit two key documents.
Proof of Identity (POI)
To fulfill this requirement, a valid OCI card and a foreign passport are necessary.
Proof of Address (POA)
You must provide proof of an Indian address from any officially recognized document.
Moreover, an email ID is needed during the application process, which will be confirmed through an OTP. This guarantees that the application procedure is entirely legitimate and secure.
