What should my overseas job contract include? An India checklist
India focus: overseas job contract checklist. Checked against official Indian government pages on 30 October 2026. Where official pages disagree, this page says so.
A genuine overseas job offer comes with a written employment contract that states pay and conditions in a language you can read. The MEA says ECR emigrants must secure a valid employment contract before they go. This checklist helps you test the offer before you pay for a visa, a ticket or a medical test.
What the contract should say
- Employer name, address and phone number, and your job title.
- Wage, how often it is paid and in which currency.
- Working hours, rest days, overtime and leave.
- Accommodation, food and transport, and who pays for them.
- Duration, renewal and how either side ends the contract.
- Medical insurance and who pays for the return ticket.
Is the wage allowed?
For the ECR countries, the MEA fixes a Minimum Referral Wage (MRW) for each category of Indian worker in each country. The MEA says that once the MRW is fixed, no employer from that country can hire Indian workers on lower wages for that category. Ask your Indian embassy or the Protector of Emigrants if your wage is lower than the MRW. A minimum wage is a legal floor, not a typical wage.
Papers to match
The job on the contract, the job on the visa and the job in the offer must be the same. The MEA tells workers to make sure the visa is for the category they were recruited for, to keep photocopies of the passport and visa, and to hold a copy of the contract signed by them and the foreign employer.
What to refuse
- Do not sign blank paper or a second contract on arrival that changes the first one.
- Do not give your passport to your employer or an agent to keep. The MEA says do not part with your passport.
- Do not pay a visa fee or "security deposit" to an employer.
- Do not pay a person who is not a verified registered agent.
Check the employer
The MEA says foreign employers must register on eMigrate before recruiting from India. Contact the foreign company directly, using contact details you found yourself, to confirm that the offer letter is genuine.
If something goes wrong abroad
Contact the nearest Indian mission. The PBSK helpline is 1800 11 3090. See the hub and safety guide.
A printable checklist
Tick each line before you sign. Items marked MEA come from MEA pages, and the rest are common-sense checks.
| Check | Done |
|---|---|
| Your name and passport number are spelled exactly as in your passport | |
| Employer's full name, address and registration, matching what is on eMigrate (MEA) | |
| Job title matches the visa category (MEA says the visa should match the category you were recruited for) | |
| Wage amount, currency and pay date, and it is not below the Minimum Referral Wage for your category (MEA) | |
| Working hours, weekly rest day and leave | |
| Housing, food or allowance, and who pays for travel | |
| Contract length and what happens at renewal | |
| Signed by you and the employer and attested by the registered agent, in English (MEA) | |
| Employer's emergency contact and the Indian mission's address |
Minimum Referral Wage in one paragraph
The April 2026 MEA overview explains that the MEA fixes a Minimum Referral Wage (MRW) for each worker category in each of the ECR countries, after consulting the Indian mission. Once fixed, no employer in that country can hire workers from India for less than the MRW for that category. Ask your POE or the Indian mission for the current figure for your job. Do not rely on a number from an agent.
What the MEA says to do and not do
- Do not surrender your passport or contract to anyone, and do not sign blank papers or other contracts. (MEA page on emigration for employment, 2016.)
- Do not work for anyone other than your original sponsor. (Same page.)
- Keep photocopies of all passport pages, and note the Indian mission's contact details.
- Report unpaid or delayed wages to the nearest Indian mission.
Common mistakes
- Signing the contract in the agent's office without time to read it.
- Accepting a different job description at the airport.
- Taking a verbal promise of a raise or bonus that is not in the contract.
- Not keeping a copy. Photograph every page and store it with someone at home.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an English copy?
The MEA advises insisting on one.
What if the foreign employer changes the contract after I arrive?
Contact the Indian mission and the helpline at 1800 11 3090. Keep your copy of the original.
Is the contract enough to get clearance?
It is one of the documents. See emigration clearance.
This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.