How do I check a recruiting agent on eMigrate?
India focus. Checked against official Indian government pages on 30 October 2026. Where official pages disagree, this page says so.
Only a recruiting agent (RA) holding a valid registration certificate from the Protector General of Emigrants may recruit Indian workers for jobs abroad. The Ministry of External Affairs says you can check the details of registered agents on the eMigrate portal. Do this before you hand over a rupee or your passport.
Steps to check a recruiting agent on eMigrate
- Ask the agent for the original registration certificate issued by the Protector General of Emigrants and for the certificate number.
- Open the official portal, emigrate.gov.in, typing the address yourself. Do not follow a link sent on WhatsApp.
- Find the list of registered recruiting agents (the portal calls it the list of active RAs) and search for the agency name or certificate number.
- Confirm that the status is active, not suspended or cancelled, and that the office address matches.
- If anything is unclear, ask any Protector of Emigrants office, or call the helpline on 1800 11 3090.
What else does the MEA tell prospective emigrants?
- Do not deal with sub-agents. The MEA says they are not permitted under the Emigration Act and Rules.
- Ask to see the demand letter and the power of attorney from the foreign employer.
- Read the employment contract, including salary and service conditions, before you pay.
- Pay by cheque or demand draft and take a receipt.
The MEA page has long listed a cap on the service charge: not more than the wages for 45 days under the contract, up to a stated rupee maximum. Other official advisories quote a different cap. Ask the Protector of Emigrants for the current limit, and treat any demand far above it as a warning.
Warning signs of an illegal agent
- Not on the active list, or the certificate number does not match the name.
- The agent asks you to travel on a visit visa and says the work visa will follow.
- No written contract, or a contract you may only see after payment.
- Pressure to pay in cash or to a personal account.
- Contact only through WhatsApp or Telegram.
If you are cheated
Lodge a complaint on eMigrate or send it to the Protector General of Emigrants. The MEA says information on illegal agents is uploaded to eMigrate regularly. If you have lost money, also call 1930 and report at cybercrime.gov.in. See job scam safety for India.
What should a genuine agent be able to show you?
Use this as a one-minute test before you hand over a passport copy or any payment. The points come from the MEA pages named in the sources below. The MEA page on emigration for employment was last updated on 16 May 2016, so confirm any figure or rule with your Protector of Emigrants (POE) office before you act.
| Ask for | What the MEA says |
|---|---|
| Original Registration Certificate | Ask to see the agent's original certificate from the Protector General of Emigrants. Do not deal with an agent whose registration is invalid, suspended or cancelled. |
| The employer's demand letter and power of attorney | The MEA advises asking for both, so you can see that a real foreign employer asked for workers. |
| A signed contract | The MEA says your contract should be signed by you and the employer and attested by the registered agent. Ask for an English copy. |
| A receipt | The MEA advises paying by demand draft or cheque and keeping the receipt. |
| No sub-agent | The MEA states that sub-agents are not permitted under the Act and Rules. If your contact says "I only work for the agent," treat that as a red flag. |
Common mistakes
- Trusting a certificate number read out over the phone. Look the agent up yourself on the eMigrate portal instead of relying on what you are told.
- Checking the agency name but not the person. A branch office, a "partner" or a social media page is not the registered agent.
- Paying in cash with no receipt, or paying before you have seen the visa and contract.
- Handing over an original passport to a stranger.
- Assuming that a good-looking office means the agent is registered.
- Believing a "visit visa" offer for a job in an ECR country is a shortcut. The MEA notes that people who travel for work through unlawful channels are exposed to exploitation, and that state police are asked to act on complaints about illegal recruitment.
How big is the problem?
The MEA overview of April 2026 says that, as on 9 April 2026, 3505 illegal agents have been notified through the eMigrate portal. The same document says complaints about illegal migration and trafficking are referred to the state police, and that registered agents who do not resolve a complaint can have their registration certificates revoked.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find the list of registered agents?
The eMigrate portal holds the public list. The MEA Overseas Employment page also links lists of active recruiting agents by district and by state, dated 8 April 2026 when we checked.
Who can I call if I am not sure?
The MEA helpline for emigrants is 1800 11 3090 (toll free, 24 hours, 11 Indian languages), and the email is [email protected].
Do I need an agent at all?
No. The MEA describes a direct route in which you register on eMigrate yourself when a foreign employer hired you directly. See eMigrate registration.
Related pages
This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.