Everything You Should Know About the Aadhaar Card as an NRI.

Before, we’ve talked about the ongoing efforts of the Indian government to keep money laundering away from the Real Estate industry; as well as doing our best to maintain our readers informed about new changes in property legislation.

The latest government effort to fight the entrance of the so-called dirty money into India has been the modification to Section 139AA of the Income-tax Act. Additions to this section establish that to receive the benefits and services stated by the Aadhaar Act of 2016, Indian residents should provide proof of Aadhaar registration to banking institutions before buying or selling a property.

Along with the modifications as mentioned above, the Indian government established that before December 31^st, 2017 (It has been extended to March 31^st, 2018), bank account holders should comply with proof of Aadhaar registration, or see their accounts frozen. Many NRIs are still confused with how this regulation might affect them. We are creating this guide, to help you determine if you need to take action regarding your Aadhaar Registration.

I’m an NRI. Do I need to get an Aadhaar Card?

If you’ve resided less than 182 days in India during the last year, you’re technically exempt from registering for an Aadhaar Card or linking it with your banking information. This, however, does not exempt you from having to pay taxes from your profits in India and complying with the Benami Act and similar legislation.

This will still mean that you have no permanent Aadhaar number so, to register a property, the authorities shall proceed with a temporary number, an Aadhaar Enrollment ID.

I think I may qualify for an Aadhaar Card. However, I don’t want to travel to India. What can I do to get it/Do I need to do so?

If you qualify for an Aadhaar Card (that is, if you’ve spent enough time residing in India during the last year to be technically considered a resident), then the penalty for not complying with this legislation sees your bank accounts go frozen. Since it’s on your bank to take care of your account, in conjunction with the Indian government’s efforts to register you as a citizen, it’s impossible to establish a fixed time for this stop on your banking activity, which can severely hurt you. Therefore, we urge you to apply for this process as soon as possible.

How can I prepare to get my Aadhaar Card if I need to travel to India?

It’s crucial that you make sure your visit to the enrolment center to be as smooth and efficient as possible. The process will look like this:

1. Visit this website, which will help you find the most convenient registration office and set up an appointment with them.
2. Visit the enrolment site on your appointment’s date.
3. You need to have at all times an Indian phone number (which should be active at all times until you get your card), an address proof document (foreign is OK) and an official ID. Please review the following list of supporting documents.
4. You’ll be asked to take a fingerprint and iris scan.
5. From this point, make sure you are extra-clear on the spelling of all names, places, and numbers you provide your agent, as you’ll begin to fill out on your demographic info.
6. Wait to receive your card. You’ll also be provided with means of checking your registration status online.

How can I make sure I don’t get affected by this legislation, although I do not need to get an Aadhaar Card?

The best way of avoiding any trouble is contacting your bank and Indian mobile providers just to state that you do not need to comply with this legislation, in which case they may ask for a document as proof.

I’m already trying to register for my Aadhaar Card online, but having trouble with it. What can I do?

The Unique Identification Authority of India has a useful FAQ on its website, detailing what to do regarding several problems you might be facing while trying to get your register, especially mismatches between PAN and Aadhaar. It’s essential that you note that, while the UIAI is accessible worldwide, some of its web-based features like the Resident Portal, eAadhaar, the Self Service Update Portal (SSUP) and the Aadhaar Linking Status, among others, are Geo-Based and therefore, will not be accessible from outside India.

I’m having trouble with my PAN/bank account/other regarding my Aadhaar Registration. What can I do?

Contacting your service provider is the best option for governmental institutions, such as the UIAI, might not be that well-equipped to help you deal with individual issues. Service providers, nonetheless, benefit from having you on board, and will, therefore, help you get your documentation straight as soon as possible.

Are you selling or buying properties as an NRI?

If you’re looking to buy or sell a property in India, checking your compliance to the Aadhaar standards should be one of your top priorities, to stay away from trouble when making a deal.  You should also, at all times, make sure you’re compliant with other regulations that may affect you, which you can learn more about on our blog.

Also, if you’re looking for a buyer or a seller in India, you can save lots of time and effort by dealing with other NRIs through our innovative free platform, Reobee. We believe there’s always someone looking for someone just like you!