The NORKA ID Card, officially called the Pravasi ID Card, is the identity and accident insurance card issued by NORKA Roots, the Kerala government agency for Non-Resident Keralites. If you are a Malayali working or living in the Gulf, Europe or any other country, this small card gives you an official Pravasi identity, an accident insurance cover of ₹5 lakh, and extra support for your family if something goes wrong abroad.
In this 2026 guide we cover the latest fee and benefits after the revision that took effect on 1 April 2025, who is eligible, the documents you need, the seven easy steps to apply online, how to renew the card, and how a family can make a claim. We also explain the related cards for Malayalis in other Indian states and for students studying abroad.
What Is the NORKA ID Card?
NORKA Roots works under the Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs of the Government of Kerala. One of its oldest and most popular services is the Pravasi ID Card, often called the NORKA ID Card by expatriates. It acts as proof that you are a registered Non-Resident Keralite and links you to the welfare services of NORKA.
The card comes with a group personal accident insurance cover arranged by NORKA Roots with an insurance company. This means that, for a small fee every three years, you and your family get financial protection against accidental death or disability. Many Gulf workers do not have life or accident insurance from their employer, so this cover fills an important gap.
Apart from insurance, the NORKA ID Card is now accepted as valid identification for sponsors applying for NRI quota medical seats in India. It is also useful when you approach NORKA for other services such as certificate attestation, the NDPREM loan scheme for returnees, and emergency help.
NORKA ID Card 2026: Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Official name | NORKA Roots Pravasi ID Card |
| Issued by | NORKA Roots, Government of Kerala |
| Fee | ₹408 including GST (revised from ₹372 on 1 April 2025) |
| Accidental death cover | ₹5 lakh (raised from ₹4 lakh) |
| Repatriation support | ₹50,000 for accidental death abroad, ₹30,000 if death occurs in India |
| Age limit | 18 to 70 years |
| Validity | 3 years |
| Mode of application | Online only, through the NORKA Roots portal |
| Official website | norkaroots.org |
The figures above are based on the revised rates announced by NORKA Roots in 2025. Fees and cover can be revised again, so always check the final amount on the payment page before you pay.
NORKA ID Card Benefits in Detail
The main reason most Pravasis take the NORKA ID Card is the accident insurance. But the card offers more than one benefit. Here is what you get after enrolment.
- ₹5 lakh accidental death cover: If the card holder dies in an accident during the validity period, the nominee can claim the insurance amount.
- Disability cover: Permanent total or partial disability caused by an accident is covered as per the policy schedule.
- Repatriation assistance: Non-residents with a valid card get ₹50,000 support for accidental death abroad and ₹30,000 if the accidental death happens in India.
- Official Pravasi identity: The card is proof of NRK status for NORKA services and is accepted for NRI quota medical seat sponsorship.
- Low cost: One payment of ₹408 covers three years, which is about ₹136 a year.
The NORKA ID Card is not health insurance. It does not pay hospital bills for illness. For medical cover, Pravasis can look at NORKA Care, the separate health and accident insurance scheme NORKA Roots launched for Non-Resident Keralites in 2025, and at the insurance offered by their employer abroad.
Who Is Eligible for NORKA ID Card?
The eligibility rules are simple and are checked from the documents you upload. You can apply for the NORKA ID Card if you meet all of the conditions below.
- You are a Keralite (Malayali) living or working outside India.
- Your age is between 18 and 70 years.
- You hold a valid Indian passport.
- You hold a valid visa, residence permit, Iqama or work permit of at least six months for the country where you live.
Family members who live abroad on dependent visas can also apply on their own, as long as they meet the age rule and have a valid visa. Each person needs a separate application and fee. A person who has returned permanently to Kerala is not eligible for a new card, but may look at schemes such as the Kerala Pravasi Pension Scheme through the Pravasi Welfare Board.
Documents Required for NORKA ID Card
The application is fully online, so you must scan the documents before you start. Keep the scans clear and in JPEG format, as the portal accepts image files. A blurred passport page is the most common reason for delays.
- Passport first page (with photo) and last page (with address)
- Valid visa page, Iqama, residence permit or work permit showing at least six months validity
- Recent passport-size colour photograph
- Your signature on white paper, scanned
- Nominee name, relationship and contact details
- A working email ID and mobile number for login and updates
If you are applying for the student card, you also need your college or university details abroad. Before you start, also keep your eMigrate and passport records in order, since the passport details you enter must match exactly.
How to Apply for NORKA ID Card Online: 7 Easy Steps
NORKA Roots now accepts all applications and renewals online only. You can finish the process from your phone or laptop in about 20 minutes. Follow these seven easy steps.
- Visit the NORKA Roots portal. Open the official NORKA Roots website and go to the ID card or Pravasi ID card section.
- Create your account. Register with your name, email ID and mobile number, then verify it using the OTP or email link.
- Log in and choose the card. Sign in and select Pravasi ID Card for those living abroad, or the relevant student or NRK card.
- Fill in your details. Enter personal details, Kerala address, overseas address, passport number, visa details and nominee information carefully.
- Upload the documents. Upload the scanned passport pages, visa or residence permit, photo and signature in the required format and size.
- Pay the fee online. Pay ₹408 including GST using a debit card, credit card or net banking, and save the payment receipt.
- Track and download. After verification, the NORKA ID Card is issued. Check the status in your account and download or collect the card as shown on the portal.
If your application is returned for correction, the portal will show the reason. Fix the problem, re-upload the document and resubmit. Do not create a second account for the same person, because duplicate applications can delay verification.
NORKA ID Card Fee and Validity
After the 2025 revision, the fee for the Pravasi ID Card is ₹408 including GST. The same fee applies to the student ID card and to the NRK insurance card for Keralites living in other states of India. The card is valid for three years from the date of issue.
When you compare cost and benefit, the NORKA ID Card is one of the cheapest accident covers available to Pravasis. Paying ₹408 for three years of ₹5 lakh accidental death cover costs far less than most private personal accident policies sold in the Gulf.
How to Renew NORKA ID Card
Renewal is important because the insurance cover stops when the card expires. NORKA Roots advises card holders to apply for renewal about three months before the expiry date. Renewal is also done online through your existing account.
- Log in to your NORKA Roots account.
- Open the renewal option for the Pravasi ID card.
- Upload your current passport and valid visa or residence permit.
- Pay the renewal fee shown on the portal.
- Download the renewed card after approval.
If you changed your passport or moved to a new country, update those details during renewal. A renewed NORKA ID Card with old visa details can create problems at claim time.
NORKA ID Card Claim Process
If a card holder dies in an accident or suffers a permanent disability during the validity period, the nominee or the card holder can apply for the insurance benefit. Contact NORKA Roots as early as possible, and download the official claim form from the NORKA website.
- Filled claim form signed by the nominee or claimant
- Copy of the NORKA ID Card
- Death certificate, or disability certificate from a competent medical authority
- Police report or FIR, or the equivalent accident report from the foreign country
- Post-mortem report, where available
- Copy of passport and visa of the deceased or injured person
- ID proof and bank details of the nominee
Documents in Arabic or other foreign languages may need an attested English translation. The Indian embassy or consulate and local Malayali welfare associations in the Gulf often help families collect these papers.
Other NORKA Cards: Student ID, NRK Insurance Card and NPRI
NORKA Roots offers a few related products along with the main NORKA ID Card. Choose the one that matches your situation. Each has its own eligibility, but all are applied for on the same online portal.
NRK Insurance Card for Malayalis in Other States
Keralites who live and work in other Indian states, such as Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai or Delhi, can join the NRK insurance card scheme. After the 2025 revision, this card also costs ₹408 and offers accident cover similar to the overseas card. This is useful for the large number of Malayali workers and professionals outside Kerala.
Pravasi Student ID Card
Students from Kerala studying abroad can apply for a student ID card at the same ₹408 fee. It gives them an official link with NORKA Roots, which helps in emergencies, and comes with accident insurance cover for the validity period.
NORKA Pravasi Raksha Insurance Policy (NPRI)
NPRI is a one-year renewable policy for Pravasis aged 18 to 60. After the 2025 revision, the premium is ₹661 and the accident cover is ₹3 lakh. It also includes a critical illness benefit for listed serious illnesses. Some Pravasis take both the NORKA ID Card and NPRI for wider protection.
| Product | Who it is for | Fee | Accident cover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pravasi ID Card | Keralites abroad, 18 to 70 | ₹408 for 3 years | ₹5 lakh |
| NRK Insurance Card | Keralites in other Indian states | ₹408 | As per scheme |
| Student ID Card | Kerala students studying abroad | ₹408 | As per scheme |
| NPRI | Pravasis, 18 to 60 | ₹661 per year | ₹3 lakh |
Why Every Gulf Malayali Should Take a NORKA ID Card
Lakhs of Malayalis work in construction, driving, hospitality, nursing and retail in the GCC countries. Many of these jobs involve road travel, heavy work and long hours. When an accident happens far from home, the family in Kerala often faces sudden debt for repatriation, funeral costs and loans.
The NORKA ID Card offers a cheap safety net in such cases. It is also a simple way to stay connected to NORKA services. New job seekers going abroad should apply soon after reaching their workplace and receiving a residence visa. If you are still preparing to go, finish your Police Clearance Certificate and other paperwork first, then apply once your visa is issued.
Employers in the Gulf may give group insurance, but it usually ends when the job ends. The NORKA ID Card stays with you for three years even if you change jobs within the same visa validity, which gives continuity of cover.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Visa with less than six months validity: Applications with short visa validity may be rejected. Apply after renewing your residence permit.
- Wrong passport details: Enter the passport number and dates exactly as printed.
- Poor quality scans: Use clear, well-lit scans without cut edges.
- Missing nominee: Always add a nominee so that claims can be paid quickly.
- Letting the card expire: Set a reminder three months before expiry and renew on time.
- Paying agents: You can apply yourself on the official portal. Avoid unofficial websites that ask for extra fees.
NORKA Roots Contact Details
For help with the NORKA ID Card, you can contact the NORKA Roots global contact centre. The toll-free number from India is 1800 425 3939, and Pravasis abroad can use the missed call service number (0091) 8802 012345. You can also write to the ID card helpdesk email listed on the official website.
Other NORKA Roots Services for Pravasis
Once you are registered with NORKA Roots, it becomes easier to use its other services. Many Pravasis only learn about these when they face a problem, so it helps to know them in advance.
- Certificate attestation: NORKA Roots helps with authentication of educational and personal certificates needed for jobs abroad.
- Recruitment support: NORKA Roots runs overseas recruitment drives for nurses, doctors and other professionals for employers in the Gulf and Europe.
- Return and rehabilitation: Returnees can get capital subsidy and interest support for new business ventures through partner banks.
- Emergency help: The global contact centre guides families during emergencies such as death abroad, legal problems or job loss.
Keeping your passport, visa, nominee and mobile number updated in your NORKA account means that help can reach you and your family faster. It also avoids confusion when you later apply for pension or welfare board schemes after returning to Kerala.
Before you fly out for a new job, make a simple folder on your phone with scanned copies of your passport, visa, offer letter, insurance card and nominee details. Share the folder with one trusted person at home. This small habit saves a lot of time if any claim or emergency support is needed later.
Frequently Asked Questions on NORKA ID Card
1. What is the fee for NORKA ID Card in 2026?
The fee is ₹408 including GST, as per the revision effective from 1 April 2025. Check the portal for the current amount before paying.
2. How much insurance does the NORKA ID Card give?
It gives ₹5 lakh accidental death cover, disability cover as per the policy, and repatriation support of ₹50,000 for accidental death abroad or ₹30,000 in India.
3. What is the validity of the NORKA ID Card?
The card is valid for three years. You should renew it about three months before expiry.
4. Can I apply for NORKA ID Card offline?
No. NORKA Roots accepts all applications and renewals online through its official portal.
5. Who can apply for the NORKA ID Card?
Keralites aged 18 to 70 living or working abroad with a valid passport and a visa or residence permit of at least six months can apply.
6. Is the NORKA ID Card health insurance?
No. It is an accident insurance and identity card. For medical cover, look at NORKA Care or employer health insurance.
7. Can Malayalis in other Indian states get a card?
Yes. They can apply for the NRK insurance card, which has the same ₹408 fee after the 2025 revision.
Conclusion
The NORKA ID Card is a small step that gives big protection to Pravasi Malayalis and their families. For ₹408, you get three years of accident insurance worth ₹5 lakh, repatriation support, and an official NRK identity. Keep your passport and visa scans ready, apply on the official NORKA Roots portal using the seven easy steps above, and renew on time.
Share this guide with friends and relatives working abroad. For more updates on Gulf jobs, NORKA schemes and Kerala government services, keep following Saja Jobs, and always confirm the latest fees and rules on the NORKA Roots website before applying.