Can NRIs Get an Aadhaar Card in India? Eligibility and Process

One distinction is important here: NRI and OCI are not the same category for Aadhaar purposes.

An NRI generally means an Indian citizen living outside India. An OCI holder is a foreign citizen, even though they may have Indian ancestry and an OCI card.

So if you're a US citizen with an OCI card, I wouldn't automatically use the NRI Aadhaar rules. Check UIDAI's current guidance for your specific status.

For an NRI with an Indian passport, UIDAI says a valid Indian passport is accepted as proof of identity and address for Aadhaar enrolment.

Requirements can change, and the enrolment centre may ask for the documents specified under the current UIDAI rules.

I’m an NRI in the UK and went through Aadhaar enrolment during a visit to India.

My understanding is that the 182-day requirement doesn't apply to an NRI holding a valid Indian passport who is applying for Aadhaar as an NRI.

UIDAI specifically has an Aadhaar enrolment process for NRIs. The current UIDAI guidance says an NRI with a valid Indian passport can apply for Aadhaar, and the applicant should identify their status correctly during enrolment.

I would make sure the operator records you as an NRI rather than assuming that living abroad disqualifies you.

Also, if you're an NRI but don't have an Indian passport because you're a foreign citizen, don't assume the same rules apply. OCI holders and foreign nationals have different documentation and residency considerations.

Yes, NRIs can apply for Aadhaar, but there are specific conditions.

The key point I found was that an NRI with a valid Indian passport can apply for Aadhaar, and the usual 182-day residency condition does not apply to an NRI applicant in the same way it does to other applicants.

I applied after returning to India and was asked for my Indian passport as the relevant document. I would still check the current UIDAI requirements before going to the enrolment centre because the accepted documents and process can change.

One thing that surprised me was the mobile number issue. I was told to provide a mobile number for the Aadhaar enrolment process, but an Indian mobile number isn't necessarily the only possibility for every NRI situation.

I would take the original passport with you rather than relying only on photocopies.