(Image source from: Mint)

The Indian government issued a notification saying Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) with valid Indian passport can apply for Aadhaar on arrival, without the 182-day waiting period. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has released the circular stating that NRI after their arrival India, shall be entitled to obtain Aadhaar number.

Stating that the modalities for application remain more or less unchanged, a UIDAI source said that non-resident Indians with Indian passport can now apply for biometric ID on arrival or by fixing a time for a prior appointment, thus getting rid of the requirement for a mandatory 182-day waiting period.

As per circular released by UIDAI on Monday, a valid Indian passport will be accepted as proof of identity, proof of address (PoA) and date of the birth document. In case NRI's passport does not contain Indian address, they shall be allowed to submit any of the other UIDAI-approved PoA documents as proof of address.  

Financial Minister of India Nirmala Sitharaman, in her budget speech on July 5 said she is considering issuing Aadhaar card for non-resident Indians with Indian passports after their arrival in India without the specified waiting period.

By Sowmya Sangam