As of November 29, 2024, the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has relaxed the requirement for linking Aadhaar with the Universal Account Number (UAN) for certain categories of members, including international workers (IWs) who have completed their assignments in India and departed without obtaining an Aadhaar.
For your client, an expatriate worker in Pune without an Aadhaar card, the following steps can be taken to activate the UAN and access the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) passbook:
UAN Generation: If your client does not already have a UAN, it must be generated. While the EPFO portal typically requires Aadhaar for UAN activation, international workers can proceed without it by following alternative procedures.
Submission of Physical Claim: Due to the inability to link Aadhaar, your client should submit a physical claim form to the EPFO office. This form should be accompanied by:
Alternative Identification: A valid passport serves as the primary identification document for international workers.
Additional Documents: These may include PAN card, bank account details, and any other documents specified by the EPFO.
Verification Process: The EPFO will conduct due diligence, which includes:
Bank Account Verification: Ensuring the bank account details provided match those on record.
Employer Confirmation: For claims exceeding INR 5 lakh, the employer must confirm the identity of the member.
Claim Settlement: Once verified, the EPFO will process the claim, and the settlement amount will be transferred via NEFT to the designated bank account.
It's important to note that while Aadhaar seeding is waived for international workers in this context, UAN generation remains mandatory. Therefore, your client should ensure that all necessary documentation is accurately completed and submitted to facilitate the activation process.
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