Emigrants Helpdesk
Everything a candidate needs before travelling for a job abroad — what we're legally allowed to charge, how to verify us, the documents you'll need, and who to contact if anything goes wrong.
What we are legally allowed to charge
Under the Emigration Act 1983, service charges collected by a registered Recruiting Agent from an emigrant are capped by the Ministry of External Affairs. This limit applies to every registered agent in India — not just Keerthi Overseas.
- Maximum service charge: ₹30,000 plus GST (18%) per candidate, as per Government of India regulation.
- A signed, itemised receipt must be issued for every payment collected — ask for yours.
- No fee should ever be collected for a role that hasn't been confirmed in writing.
- Reputed foreign employers typically cover airfare, boarding, lodging and insurance — always confirm what's included before you pay anything.
If any agent — registered or not — asks you for more than this, or for cash without a receipt, that is a warning sign. Verify the agent and, if needed, report it using the contacts further down this page.
Established 1992 · Chennai, India
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
How to verify any recruiting agent
Before paying any agent — including us — confirm their registration for yourself. It takes two minutes.
- 1Visit the official eMigrate portal at emigrate.gov.in.
- 2Open the "List of Active RAs" (Registered Recruiting Agents) section.
- 3Match the agent's RC number against the listing. Ours is B 1036/TN/PART/1000+/5/3464/2022.
Documents you'll typically need
Exact requirements vary by role, employer and destination country — our team confirms your specific checklist once your application is shortlisted. As a starting point, most candidates need:
Valid Passport
With at least 6 months' validity remaining at the time of travel.
Educational / Trade Certificates
Originals and copies of qualifications relevant to the role applied for.
Medical Fitness Certificate
From an approved medical centre (e.g. GAMCA/Wafid-approved), as required by the destination country.
Police Clearance Certificate
A PCC confirming no pending criminal record, typically issued via your local police / passport office.
Signed Offer Letter
Your employment contract stating role, salary, benefits and contract duration in writing.
Passport Photographs
Recent passport-size photos as per the specification of the destination country's visa process.
Grievance & emergency contacts
These are official Government of India channels, independent of Keerthi Overseas — use them any time, for any registered agent.
Our Own Helpdesk
Start with us first — most issues are resolved fastest this way.
eMigrate & MADAD Portals
Register or track a consular/recruitment grievance online, or verify any agent's registration.
Overseas Workers Resource Centre (OWRC)
Multilingual 24×7 helpline run by the Ministry of External Affairs.
- 1800-11-3090 (toll-free, within India)
- +91-11-2688-5021 (for overseas callers)
- +91 74283 21144 (WhatsApp, 24×7)
- helpline@mea.gov.in
Protector of Emigrants — Chennai
The regional MEA office overseeing recruiting agents registered out of Tamil Nadu.
- Tamil Nadu Housing Board Complex, Ashok Nagar, Chennai – 600 083
- 044-2489 1337
Indian Missions and Consulates abroad also run their own 24×7 emergency helplines. If you are already abroad, contact your nearest Indian Embassy or Consulate directly — find its details on mea.gov.in under "Indian Missions Abroad."
Common questions from candidates
Under the Emigration Act 1983, a registered Recruiting Agent cannot collect more than ₹30,000 plus GST (18%) from a candidate as a service charge, and must issue a signed receipt for the amount collected.
Do not pay it. Overcharging and undocumented cash payments are the most common red flags of illegal recruitment. Verify the agent on emigrate.gov.in and report the demand to your nearest Protector of Emigrants office or on the MADAD portal.
Visit emigrate.gov.in, open "List of Active RAs" and match our RC No. B 1036/TN/PART/1000+/5/3464/2022 against the listing. You can also call our office directly and ask us to confirm it.
Contact our Emigrants Helpdesk first — our details are on this page. You can also register a consular grievance on the MADAD portal (madad.gov.in) or contact your nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate directly.
A valid passport, your educational/trade certificates, a medical fitness certificate, a police clearance certificate (PCC), passport-size photographs, and your signed offer letter/employment contract. Exact requirements vary by role and destination country — our team will confirm your specific checklist.
Have a question we haven't covered?
Our helpdesk team is happy to talk you through the process, fees or your specific documents before you commit to anything.