Thousands of people have been emigrating from the country turning India into one of the largest recipients of remittances. But how does one emigrate? Here’s a quick guide on the documents you need to carry and the clearances to get before you leave.
What is emigration?
According to Emigration Act, 1983, emigration is the departure of a person out from the country for employment.
To protect citizens working abroad, the Act requires the workers “seeking contractual employment” to get emigration clearances from the office of Protector of Emigrants (POE), Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. Also, no agency can recruit Indians for employment without registration from POE
Who needs emigration clearance?
Persons whose passports have been categorised as ‘Emigration Check Required’ (ECR) need emigration clearance from the POE only if they are proceeding to work in ECR countries (17 countries mentioned by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs).
Persons including those holding class X or higher qualification, government servants and income tax payers whose passports have been categorized ‘Emigration Check Not Required’ do not need this clearance from POE.
How to get emigration clearance from POE?
Semi-skilled and unskilled workers approaching the POE directly will need:
A passport valid for at least six months and a valid visa
Employment contract from the foreign employer
Challan for depositing the prescribed fee
Insurance policy under Pravasi Bharatiya Bhima Yojana for the contract period
Semi-skilled and skilled workers approaching the POE through Registered Recruiting Agent will need:
A passport valid for at least six months and a valid visa
Original employment contract, demand letter and power of attorney from the foreign employer.
Challan for depositing the prescribed fee
Insurance policy under Pravasi Bharatiya Bhima Yojana for the contract period
*For unskilled workers, in addition to above requirements, the documents have to be attested by the Indian Mission.
With these documents, you may approach the POE directly or through a Registered Recruiting Agent. After scrutinising the documents, clearance will be given.
Source: https://emigrate.gov.in and http://moia.gov.in/
Expert Speak:
Workers have to be particularly careful while dealing with the Registered Recruiting Agents; they may be cheated. To ensure that the agents are licensed, the workers may check https://emigrate.gov.in which has a list of all the agents
D. Jai Sankar, former POE, Chennai
