Q.1105 Options for NRIs for Sim card verification without Aadhaar card

Question: Hello, I am an NRI and hold NRO and NRE bank accounts in India. Also, as per the UIDAI guidelines, NRIs are not eligible to apply for and hold an Aadhar Card. The rules for Aadhar card linkage with bank accounts are very clear - this is not required in my situation. So now the recent rules for linking an Aadhar Card with the Mobile SIM card become impossible to comply with. I have been holding a mobile number in India since the first days of mobile coverage and do not want to lose this connection. I cannot apply for Aadhar because being an NRI it is illegal to hold one and I can't link Aadhar to mobile because I do not have Aadhar! Please advise what the solution is for this situation. I do believe very strongly that this concept has been not thought through by all the agencies. I hope you are able to advise. Best Regards, Answer: India’s Telecoms Department is apparently looking into a method to allow persons not eligible for Aadhaar to verify their Indian mobile Sim card’s and avoid deactivation of the mobile phone numbers before deadline for Sim/Aadhaar linking date of February 6, 2018. As of today [November 10, 2017] there is no exemption for NRIs who have Indian Sim cards when it comes to mandatory linking of Aadhaar and Sim. All Sim cards have to be linked to Aadhaar before February 2018 to avoid deactivation of the Sim. Unless the government finds a solution for those who hold Sim cards and are NOT eligible to get Aadhaar, many NRIs will lose their Indian mobile numbers and perhaps also the money they may already have on prepaid Sim cards. A decision from the authorities to resolve this issue for NRIs is expected in the near future.

Options for those not eligible for Aadhaar to verify mobile Sim

Some of the options under consideration, that may be allowed for Sim verification for NRI’s & Foreigners who y are not eligible for Aadhaar are verification through passport, driving license or perhaps other government issued identification documents. An announcement in this regard is expected from the authorities in the near future.
Information by Virendar Chand
Disclaimer: Information provided is for general knowledge only and should not be deemed to be professional advice. For professional advice kindly consult a professional accountant, immigration advisor or the Indian consulate. Rules and regulations do change from time to time. Please note that in case of any variation between what has been stated on this website and the relevant Act, Rules, Regulations, Policy Statements etc. the latter shall prevail. © Copyright 2006 Nriinformation.com
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Disclaimer: Information provided is for general knowledge only and should not be deemed to be professional advice. For professional advice kindly consult a professional accountant, immigration advisor or the Indian consulate. Rules and regulations do change from time to time. Please note that in case of any variation between what has been stated on this website and the relevant Act, Rules, Regulations, Policy Statements etc. the latter shall prevail. © Copyright 2006 Nriinformation.com
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Q.1105 Options for NRIs for Sim

card verification without

Aadhaar card

Question: Hello, I am an NRI and hold NRO and NRE bank accounts in India. Also, as per the UIDAI guidelines, NRIs are not eligible to apply for and hold an Aadhar Card. The rules for Aadhar card linkage with bank accounts are very clear - this is not required in my situation. So now the recent rules for linking an Aadhar Card with the Mobile SIM card become impossible to comply with. I have been holding a mobile number in India since the first days of mobile coverage and do not want to lose this connection. I cannot apply for Aadhar because being an NRI it is illegal to hold one and I can't link Aadhar to mobile because I do not have Aadhar! Please advise what the solution is for this situation. I do believe very strongly that this concept has been not thought through by all the agencies. I hope you are able to advise. Best Regards, Answer: India’s Telecoms Department is apparently looking into a method to allow persons not eligible for Aadhaar to verify their Indian mobile Sim card’s and avoid deactivation of the mobile phone numbers before deadline for Sim/Aadhaar linking date of February 6, 2018. As of today [November 10, 2017] there is no exemption for NRIs who have Indian Sim cards when it comes to mandatory linking of Aadhaar and Sim. All Sim cards have to be linked to Aadhaar before February 2018 to avoid deactivation of the Sim. Unless the government finds a solution for those who hold Sim cards and are NOT eligible to get Aadhaar, many NRIs will lose their Indian mobile numbers and perhaps also the money they may already have on prepaid Sim cards. A decision from the authorities to resolve this issue for NRIs is expected in the near future.

Options for those not eligible for

Aadhaar to verify mobile Sim

Some of the options under consideration, that may be allowed for Sim verification for NRI’s & Foreigners who y are not eligible for Aadhaar are verification through passport, driving license or perhaps other government issued identification documents. An announcement in this regard is expected from the authorities in the near future.
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