The Aadhaar-issuing body has acknowledged having received information on problems faced by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Person of Indian Origin (PIOs), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) where Aadhaar was being demanded with regard to a number of services and benefits. NRIs and PIOs are not required to link bank accounts and other services with Aadhaar, as confirmed by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
As per section 139AA of the Income-tax Act, the requirement to quote Aadhaar will not apply to an individual who is not a resident as per the Aadhaar Act, 2016.
Referring to the question of whether NRIs have to link their financial accounts to Aadhaar, UIDAI said the Prevention of Money laundering Rules 2017 and the Income Tax Act clearly stipulate that the linking of bank accounts and PAN respectively “is for those persons who are eligible to enrol for Aadhaar”.
Since, UIDAI said to central ministries and states in a note dated November 15, 2017 that, “Most of the NRIs/PIOs/OCIs may not be eligible for Aadhaar enrolment as per Aadhaar Act…,” it has further directed the implementing agency to device a mechanism “to ascertain the genuineness of status of such NRIs/PIOs/OCIs”.