UIDAI aims to expand Aadhaar internationally, targeting NRIs and OCI holders
UIDAI chief Saurabh Vijay said the agency is working on making Aadhaar usable abroad, with proof-of-concept projects under way.
During a fireside chat at Global Fintech Fest 2026, UIDAI chief Saurabh Vijay announced a strategy to take Aadhaar global, emphasizing interoperability and upcoming legal changes. The authority is running proof-of-concept trials and preparing policy frameworks to make Aadhaar accessible to overseas citizens of India. Presently, NRIs with a valid Indian passport can enroll immediately, though they must visit an enrolment centre in person; OCI holders must reside in India for at least 182 days in the preceding year and provide both OCI and passport documents.
Chairman Neelkanth Mishra said UIDAI is deploying artificial intelligence to detect fraud and is upgrading its infrastructure to handle up to 30 crore daily authentications. These steps aim to attract foreign investment and strengthen the system’s security.
Why it matters
International Aadhaar could simplify identity verification for Indians abroad and boost investment flows.
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