Quick answer: Yes, a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) can get Aadhaar. An Indian citizen with a valid Indian passport can enrol at an Aadhaar centre in India that offers adult enrolment, without the old rule of having lived in India for 182 days. The passport is the mandatory proof of identity, an email address is compulsory, and enrolment is free, but you must visit a centre in person while you are in India. Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders are not NRIs for Aadhaar purposes and follow the foreign-national route instead.
Who can apply for Aadhaar as an NRI?
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) treats you as an NRI for Aadhaar if you are an Indian citizen holding a valid Indian passport and you are not resident in India. Key points:
- No 182-day wait. Aadhaar was originally only for residents, meaning people who had lived in India for 182 days or more in the previous 12 months. The Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Act, 2019 removed that condition for NRIs with a valid Indian passport. UIDAI’s Citizen’s Charter says an NRI is eligible to enrol on arrival in India.
- NRI children can also be enrolled, through special forms for children with an address in India or abroad.
- OCI cardholders and other foreign nationals can get Aadhaar only as “resident foreign nationals”, after staying in India for 182 days or more in the 12 months before applying (see below).
An earlier version of this article said the procedure and documents for NRIs and foreigners are “the same as for citizens of India”, and that children below 3 need not apply. Neither is correct today. NRIs and foreign nationals use different forms and documents, and children can be enrolled from birth.
Documents NRIs need
| What you need | Rule for NRIs |
|---|---|
| Proof of identity | Valid Indian passport only |
| Proof of address | An address in India supported by any document on UIDAI’s accepted list, or the address printed in your Indian passport (which can be abroad) |
| Proof of date of birth (optional) | Any document on UIDAI’s accepted list; the passport qualifies |
| Email address | Mandatory |
| Mobile number | Optional; a foreign number is accepted, but UIDAI does not send SMS messages to non-Indian numbers |
The earlier version of this guide listed a birth certificate, a photo ID and a school certificate, plus a document showing “the connection you have with another country”. For NRIs, that has been replaced by the rule above: the valid Indian passport is the only acceptable proof of identity, according to the instructions on UIDAI’s forms.
Which form to use
- Form 1: NRIs aged 18 and above who have a proof of address in India. Residents use the same form.
- Form 2: NRIs aged 18 and above whose address is outside India. The address is filled in exactly as it appears in the passport, and the passport serves as both proof of identity and proof of address.
- Forms 3 and 5: NRI children (aged 5 to 18, and under 5) with an address in India.
- Forms 4 and 6: NRI children (aged 5 to 18, and under 5) with an address outside India.
All forms are free downloads on uidai.gov.in. Our guide to the Aadhaar enrolment and update forms explains where to find them.
How to apply: step by step
- Find a centre while you are in India. UIDAI says its Aadhaar Seva Kendras serve NRIs, and you can also use other enrolment centres that offer adult enrolment. Use “Find Aadhaar Centre” on uidai.gov.in or see our guide to finding an Aadhaar centre near you.
- Book a slot (optional). Aadhaar Seva Kendra appointments can be booked free on bookappointment.uidai.gov.in, and walk-ins are accepted until the last token at 5:30 pm.
- Fill in the right form. Tick “Non-Resident Indian” as your resident status and give your email address.
- Show your original passport and any other documents. They are scanned and handed back.
- Give your biometrics. Your photograph, all ten fingerprints and both iris scans are captured.
- Sign the declaration. You confirm that you are a valid Indian passport-holding citizen who is not resident in India.
- Keep the acknowledgement slip. Its 28-digit Enrolment ID (a 14-digit enrolment number plus the date and time) lets you track your application on myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in.
An earlier version of this article said your fingerprint would be printed on the Aadhaar card. That is not so: biometrics are stored securely by UIDAI and are not printed on the card. The card shows your photograph, name, date of birth, gender, address and a QR code.
How long it takes and how you receive it
UIDAI’s Citizen’s Charter says Aadhaar for adults is normally generated within 180 days of enrolment (the earlier version of this article said about 90 days). Once the number is generated:
- You can download e-Aadhaar from myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in with your Enrolment ID and an OTP. This needs a mobile number registered with Aadhaar, so an Indian number is the practical choice. The e-Aadhaar is as valid as the printed letter.
- The printed letter is sent by India Post to the address on your form. UIDAI’s Form 2 notes that charges for despatch to a foreign address are set by UIDAI from time to time and shown on its website.
Fees
Enrolment is free for NRIs, as for residents. Later updates follow UIDAI’s standard charges, for example ₹75 for a separate demographic update and ₹125 for a biometric update. Check the current charges on uidai.gov.in before you pay.
OCI cardholders and other foreign nationals
An OCI cardholder is a foreign citizen, so the NRI route does not apply. OCI cardholders can enrol as resident foreign nationals using Form 7 (Form 8 for under-18s), if they have lived in India for 182 days or more in the 12 months before applying. They present a valid foreign passport with the OCI card. According to UIDAI’s list of acceptable documents, Aadhaar issued to an OCI cardholder is valid for ten years.
Why NRIs get Aadhaar
The earlier version of this article said Aadhaar would help NRIs get government jobs and “all subsidies and schemes”. We could not verify either claim, and subsidy eligibility depends on each scheme’s own rules, so those points have been removed. Practical reasons NRIs enrol include:
- a widely accepted proof of identity during visits to India;
- e-KYC with Aadhaar where a service offers it (it is optional for bank accounts and SIM cards);
- access to Aadhaar-based online services such as DigiLocker.
NRIs are exempt from the requirement to link PAN with Aadhaar. See our guide on applying for a PAN card for the PAN process for NRIs.
Frequently asked questions
Can an NRI apply for Aadhaar online from abroad?
No. Enrolment needs your biometrics, so you must visit an Aadhaar centre in India in person. You can download the form and book an appointment online beforehand.
Do NRIs still need to stay in India for 182 days?
No. NRIs with a valid Indian passport can enrol on arrival. The 182-day condition still applies to resident foreign nationals, including OCI cardholders.
Can I give my foreign address?
Yes. Use Form 2 and write the address exactly as it appears in your Indian passport.
Is a foreign mobile number allowed?
Yes, but UIDAI does not send SMS to non-Indian numbers, and online services such as e-Aadhaar download need an OTP on a registered mobile. An Indian number is more useful if you have one.
Can I enrol my child who was born abroad?
Yes, if the child holds a valid Indian passport. Use Form 6 (under 5) or Form 4 (5 to 18) for an address outside India.
Eligibility, forms, documents and timelines in this guide were checked in October 2026 against UIDAI’s enrolment and update forms, its list of acceptable documents, its Citizen’s Charter and the Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Act, 2019. Rules for NRIs can change, so confirm on uidai.gov.in before you visit a centre.
