How can I apply for UAN online?

Last updated on December 8, 2021

The UAN (Universal Account Number) is a vital aspect since there has been complete digitization of the EPF (Employee Provident Fund) services alongside. Accessing services linked to the EPF such as checking balance and withdrawal and applying for loans against PF is a slightly easier affair in the current scenario. The UAN is a unique number with 12 digits given to each employee who is contributing towards the Employee Provident Fund (EPF). This is allotted and generated by the EPFO and authentication is done via the Ministry of Labor and Employment, Government of India. The UAN of the employee will stay the same throughout his/her professional lifetime, irrespective of how many jobs he/she changes in this duration. 

Whenever any employee changes jobs, the EPFO will be allotting a new member identification number or the EPF account ID tied to the UAN. Employees may submit requests for new member IDs through submission of the UAN to their new employers likewise. Post creation of this member ID, it will be linked to the employee’s UAN. 

Some vital aspects that you should know more about 

You will be given the Universal Account Number (UAN) by the employer-based upon EPFO regulations. Some companies have this given in the salary slips as well. You can get the UAN via the official portal as well. You can get the same via the PF number or member ID. You will have to visit https://unifiedportal-mem.epfinida.gov.in/memberinterface/ and then click Know Your UAN Status. 

Choose the EPFO office and State from the menu and then enter the member ID/PF number and other information like date of birth, name, mobile number, and the captcha code. You may obtain the member ID or PF number via the salary slip. Enter Get Authorization Pin. You will get the PIN on the mobile phone number. Enter this number and then click Validate OTP and get the UAN button. You will receive the UAN on your mobile phone number likewise. 

Activation, login, and other vital details 

You should learn more about the procedure for UAN member login and activation. For activating the Universal Account Number (UAN), you should keep the PF member ID and UAN handy. Visit the EPFO homepage before clicking For Employees within the Our Services tab. Thereafter, click Member UAN/Online Services in the services tab. This will take you to the UAN website. Enter the UAN and mobile phone number along with the PF member ID. Enter captcha characters and click Get authorization PIN before getting the PIN on your mobile phone number. 

Click I Agree in the disclaimer checkbox while entering the OTP that you get on the mobile phone number and then click Validate OTP and Activate UAN. You will get a password on the mobile phone number post UAN activation and you can access your account thereafter. 

Major advantages of UAN

• Helps in the centralization of employee information nationwide. 

• It lowers the employee verification burden on entities and also employers since EPFO takes care of many aspects. 

• EPFO can readily obtain bank account information and KYC of its members and other KYC details without employee assistance. 

• EPFO can keep a tab of job changes of member employees. 

• Early and untimely withdrawals of EPF have gone down with UAN being introduced. 

• Every new PF account with a new job change will be under a single and unified account. 

• It is easier to withdraw PF online. 

• Employees can transfer PF balance to new accounts from old accounts via the unique account number. 

• You can download PF statements instantly. 

• New employers need not validate the profile in case the UAN is already verified through KYC and Aadhar. 

• Employers cannot withhold or access rightful PF amounts of employees. 

Documents needed for opening Universal Account Number (UAN)

Here are the vital documents that you will require for this purpose: 

• Bank account information- IFSC Code, account number, and name of the branch. 
• Identity Proof- Any national photo identity proof including passport, driving license, SSLC Book or Aadhar, and Voter ID. 
• Address Proof- Any utility bill, lease/rental agreement, ration card, or other Government ID proofs given earlier with your present address. 
• PAN Card- This should be linked to your UAN. 
• Aadhar Card- This should be linked to your mobile phone number and bank account. It is compulsory. 
• ESIC Card