In today’s digital India, the Aadhaar card has become the foundation for almost every small and big task. Whether it’s availing the benefits of government schemes, opening a bank account, or any other important task, Aadhaar is mandatory. Nearly 90% of the country’s population possesses this unique identity card, which is why OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cardholders are curious whether they can also obtain an Aadhaar card.
It’s important to note that an OCI card doesn’t grant you Indian citizenship, but it does provide significant privileges for living and traveling in India. Therefore, it’s natural to question whether they can also obtain an Aadhaar card.
What do UIDAI’s Aadhaar rules say for OCI cardholders
An OCI card is issued to individuals who have roots in India but have now become citizens of another country. They enjoy many significant benefits of living and traveling in India. When it comes to whether these individuals can obtain an Aadhaar card, the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) rules are quite clear. According to UIDAI rules, any foreign national, including OCI holders, can apply for Aadhaar.
However, there is a strict condition: you must provide proof of stay in India for at least 182 days in the last 12 months before the date of application. These same rules apply to Long-Term Visa (LTV) holders, as well as citizens of Nepal and Bhutan. This simply means that you are eligible to obtain an Aadhaar, provided you can prove your presence in India for the specified period.
The complete Aadhaar application process for OCI holders
To obtain an Aadhaar card, an OCI holder must submit proof of identity and proof of address. To simplify the process, a valid OCI card or foreign passport can be used as proof of identity. For proof of address, one of the Indian address documents approved by UIDAI will be required. Once all the required documents are complete, the enrollment process is complete.
Key Documents for Aadhaar Enrollment
- Valid OCI Card or Foreign Passport
- Any Indian address proof document approved by UIDAI
- Proof of 182 days of stay in India in the last 12 months
Validity of Aadhaar Card
There are different rules regarding Aadhaar validity for Indian citizens and OCI holders. Aadhaar issued to Indian citizens is valid for life. On the other hand, the validity of Aadhaar for OCI and other foreign nationals is limited. For visa or LTV holders, the validity of Aadhaar is for the duration of their visa. For OCI, Nepal, and Bhutanese citizens, Aadhaar is valid for 10 years from the date of enrollment. After this period, it is mandatory to update it.
This special provision ensures that Aadhaar usage is linked to the actual period of residence in India. OCI holders should update their Aadhaar from time to time so that they can continue to avail themselves of the facilities in India.