Talking to Khaleej Times on Monday, M.K. Lokesh, Indian ambassador to the UAE, said this registration is aimed to create a database of Indians in all categories of profession in the UAE.

In a statement, the embassy said, the following categories viz. scientists, technologists, academicians and professionals are requested to register themselves on the link ‘NRI Registration’ at the web portal http://www.indembassyuae.org.

Lokesh said the decision to create a database of NRIs was taken by the advisory committee for NRIs. “The decision was taken long time back by the committee. This is to collect correct information about the Indian community in the UAE as we did not have a complete database of Indians living here. This is not meant for any other purposes,” he said when asked about the purpose of this database. “It is not that only people from these categories can register but all can do this. It’s open for all categories to register. It’s not been initiated only in the UAE but it began all over the world where Indians are residing,” Lokesh said.

The service is also available on Indian Consulate General’s website (www.cgidubai.com).

The ambassador ruled out any hidden possibility of using the database for any taxing purpose, which is in the pipeline to check investments made by wealthy Indians.

About the income tax on NRIs, he said the proposal was still not finalised. “First we have to seek permission from the local UAE authorities, which is yet not done,” he said.

A provision is made for the UAE NRIs to register their details in the reconstructed website owing to the demand of several NRIs to have a facility to register with the Embassy of India, “Those who register with their details will get a provisional registration number in the reply e-mail,” he said.

“However, please note that the registration will be deemed valid only after the documents are verified and the entries are checked. The process of verifying the documents and validating the details are being worked out. Therefore, NRIs may kindly note that their registration on the website will provided them only a provisional registration number and not a final number or a certificate,” the embassy’s website stated. It also clarified that the provisional registration number may not be valid to claim the NRI status or any other claims of the NRIs.

Five months ago, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi urged NRIs to register themselves with their respective diplomatic missions to facilitate their participation in the Indian elections under the newly-introduced NRI voting rights law. 

He said this would help verify the non-resident status of Indian expatriates when they want to enrol their names in the electoral list and cast their votes under the new law.

anwar@khaleejtimes.com

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