If you’re an Indian living in the UAE, your identity link to India just got easier. From 1 November 2025, NRIs based in the UAE can carry out major updates to their Aadhaar details online; no need to travel back to India for basic corrections.
Here’s a breakdown of what has changed, how you can make it work for you, and why it’s a welcome move for Indian expats in Dubai and across the Emirates.
What’s changed for UAE-based NRIs
Until recently, if you lived in the UAE and held an Aadhaar card, any change to key details, like your name, address, date of birth or mobile number, meant heading back to India and visiting an enrolment centre.
Now, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has opened the online route for these fields for NRIs in the UAE. The process is digital: log in, OTP on your mobile, choose the field to update, upload documents and track progress.
A big bonus: online document updates are free until 14 June 2026 — giving you a window to act without cost.
Does this update affect
This is most relevant if you are:
- An NRI residing in the UAE holding a valid Indian passport and Aadhaar.
- Wanting to update your Aadhaar details without travelling back to India.
- Dependent on Aadhaar for Indian banking, tax returns, property matters or identity proof from abroad.
How to do the online update step-by-step
- Visit the official Aadhaar portal.
- Enter your Aadhaar number and request an OTP (mobile number must be linked).
- Choose which detail you wish to change — name, address, date of birth or mobile number.
- Upload the required supporting document (for example: utility bill for new address).
- Submit your request and track its status online until completion.
Important conditions & catches
- Your mobile number must be linked to your Aadhaar already to receive the OTP.
- If your current mobile number isn’t linked, you will need a one-time visit to an Aadhaar centre in India to get it added.
- The online update facility, for now, is limited to the four demographic fields mentioned. For biometric changes (such as fingerprint/iris), you will still need to visit a centre.
- After 14 June 2026, free online document updates will no longer apply — so better to act before then.
Fee structure and timing you should know
From 1 November 2025:
- Changing name, address or mobile: INR 75.
- Biometric updates (via centre): INR 125.
- Online document update: free until 14 June 2026; after that, INR 75 at a centre.
- Aadhaar reprint: INR 100.
For expats in Dubai and the UAE
For Indian expats in Dubai, Sharjah or Abu Dhabi, Aadhaar often acts as a link back home, for bank accounts in India, for tax filings, for property dealings or investments. Until now, the hassle of travel or relying on someone in India for simple updates has caused delays.
By making the update process digital, NRIs get flexibility, faster turnaround and fewer dependencies. It’s a step towards globalising Aadhaar accessibility for Indian nationals abroad.
If you’re holding an Aadhaar and live in the UAE, this digital update facility is a timely relief. Don’t wait — if you have any change of address, mobile number or other key detail, log in and do the update online while the free window lasts.
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