Q942. Aadhaar for NRI/PIO/OCIs - Who is exempt from having Aadhaar Card

Question: Hi I want to know, if those NRI/PIO/OCIs , who are not in India, are exempted from having Aadhaar Card. Your Income Tax dept links Pan Card to with Aadhar Card. We do not have Aadhaar card as your foreign embassies do not have a facility to issue one. We cannot spend so much on airfare to come to India just to get a Aadhaar Card. We already have a PAN card Pls ask your Tax experts to obtain clarifications & reply on this. regards Mayur Vora

Answer: Don’t have access to any tax experts but will try and answer your questions. The Government does not expect anyone to specially travel to India from abroad to get Aadhaar Cards. Most people residing abroad would probably not even be eligible for Aadhaar Cards as it is meant only for Indian residents. New Aadhaar enrollment form now also requires the applicant to confirm that they have been residing in India for at least 182 days in the preceding 12 months. As Aadhaar is only for residents, those who are living abroad are not eligible for it and perhaps this is the reason there is no provision to get Aadhaar at Indian embassies abroad. Those who abroad NRI/OCI/PIOs and do not have Aadhaar are exempt from providing Aadhaar. To view a copy of a press release on this topic issued by the Indian ministry of finance CLICK HERE

Information by Virendar Chand