For workers

Leaving India to work abroad: registered agents, eMigrate and protections

How to recognise a legitimate recruiting agent, when you need emigration clearance, what protection the Indian state offers workers abroad, and how to reach Italy legally.

6 min read

Who this is for

Indian citizens looking for work abroad, especially in Italy or the European Union, and the families helping them. If you are already in Italy with a residence permit, the page on workers' rights in Italy (in Italian) is more useful.

In short

  • In India only holders of a registration certificate as a recruiting agent may recruit for jobs abroad. The list of registered agents is on the official eMigrate portal.
  • Emigration clearance is needed only by ECR passport holders going to work in one of the ECR countries listed by the Indian government. Italy is not one of them.
  • Indian rules cap what a registered agent may charge. ILO principles and Italian law go further: the worker should pay nothing.
  • India does not appear in the INPS list of non-EU countries with a social security convention in force with Italy.
  • India is among the countries with reserved quotas in Italy's 2026-2028 entry decree.

General information, not legal advice. Rules change and have exceptions. Always check the official text in the sources below and, for your own case, talk to a trade union, a qualified lawyer or the competent public authority.

Registered agents only

The main law is the Emigration Act, 1983. Nobody may carry on the business of a recruiting agent without a certificate issued by the registering authority. [1] The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) advises asking the agent to show the original registration certificate issued by the Protector General of Emigrants and, if in doubt, checking it with a Protector of Emigrants office. The MEA also warns not to deal with sub-agents, who are not permitted under the law. [3]

The official portal for emigration for work is eMigrate (emigrate.gov.in), run by the MEA: according to the ministry, you can check the list of active registered agents there ("List of active RA"). [2] Be wary of anyone who recruits only through chat apps or social media and does not appear on any list.

How much an agent may charge

According to the MEA, under the Emigration Act a registered agent may not collect more than 30,000 rupees plus GST (18%) from a worker for its services, and must issue a receipt for the amount collected. [2] The MEA page on emigration for employment still shows an older limit: if in doubt, ask a Protector of Emigrants office before paying anything. [3]

The Indian cap is a maximum, not a requirement. Under the ILO fair recruitment principles, workers should not pay recruitment fees or related costs. [8] In Italy, authorised or accredited agencies may not demand or receive any payment from the worker. [10] India does not appear to have ratified ILO Convention No. 181 on private employment agencies. [7]

ECR, ECNR and emigration clearance

According to the MEA, the Emigration Act requires people emigrating for work to obtain authorisation from the Protector of Emigrants, known as emigration clearance. In practice clearance is needed only by holders of a passport marked ECR (Emigration Check Required) who go to work in one of the ECR countries: the MEA lists 17, almost all in the Gulf, the Middle East and South-East Asia. Italy is not on the list. [3]

PBBY insurance

The Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) 2017 is a mandatory insurance scheme for ECR category workers, in force since 1 August 2017. It covers up to 10 lakh rupees (1 million) for accidental death or permanent disability during employment abroad. [4] It is designed for people leaving with emigration clearance for ECR countries: for a job in Italy, ask what insurance cover your contract provides.

If you have problems abroad: MADAD

MADAD is the MEA's online system, running since 2015, for filing and tracking consular assistance requests. All Indian embassies and consulates abroad, including those in Italy, are connected to the portal. [5]

Social security

India does not appear in the INPS list of non-EU states with a social security convention in force with Italy. [6] Contributions paid in Italy remain recorded with INPS: to understand what happens if you return to India, ask a patronato (free advice centre) or INPS.

A new law in preparation

In 2025 the MEA published for consultation the draft Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, intended to replace the Emigration Act, 1983. [11] Until a new law comes into force, the rules described here apply: check the MEA website for updates.

Legal routes to work in Italy

For a job as an employee, the Italian employer usually requests the work authorisation (nulla osta); with it you apply for a visa at the Italian embassy or consulate. The steps are on the page Working in Italy from outside the EU.

Italy's 2026-2028 entry decree (DPCM of 2 October 2025) reserves 25,000 entries per year, for non-seasonal employment, to citizens of countries with migration cooperation agreements with Italy. India is on the list. [9] There are also separate quotas for domestic and care work: see the guide Working as a care assistant (in Italian). [9]

Checklist before you leave