What an agent may charge
What an agent may charge you.
No more than 45 days’ wages under your employment contract, and never more than ₹20,000. Pay by demand draft or cheque and take a receipt.
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In short
- The charge may not exceed wages for 45 days under the employment contract, subject to a maximum of ₹20,000.
- Take a receipt for the payment.
- Pay by demand draft or cheque, not cash.
- Complaints of overcharging or cheating go to the Protector of Emigrants, the Protector General of Emigrants, or the OWRC.
The official wording
DO NOT pay more than the equivalent of wages for forty five days as offered under the employment contract, subject to maximum of Rupees Twenty Thousand in respect of services provided and take a receipt of this payment.
Also see: Ministry of External Affairs: Recruiting agents
Not legal advice. This page repeats an official source as read on 21 September 2026. Rules change: open the source before you act. GetJobVia is a coordination platform, not a recruiting agent.
Most useful for
More rules.
The full guideEmigration Act, 1983
Who may recruit Indians for jobs abroad
Only a recruiting agent registered with the Protector General of Emigrants. Ask to see the original Registration Certificate before you deal with anyone.
Active recruiting agents
How to check a recruiting agent
The Ministry of External Affairs publishes whether a recruiting agent is registered and active, and says its list is updated daily.
Passport status
17ECR and ECNR passports
A passport endorsed ECR needs emigration clearance before travel for a job in one of 17 listed countries. A passport with no ECR endorsement is ECNR and does not.