Licensed recruiters in India

The legal framework

India's emigration law requires agencies that recruit Indian workers for employment abroad to be registered as Recruiting Agents with the Ministry of External Affairs, through the Protector General of Emigrants. The Ministry publishes the list of registered agents and runs the eMigrate portal. Registered agents must meet conditions, including financial guarantees, and can lose their registration for misconduct.

Foreign employers can also be registered on eMigrate, and the Ministry maintains a list of employers in a prior approval category.

How to check a partner

• Ask for the registration certificate number and check it against the Ministry's list
• Check how long the agency has been operating and in which sectors
• Ask for references from European employers they have worked with
• Ask how they make money, in writing. The answer should be: from the employer
• Ask how they verify candidates' documents and experience

What a good partner does

• Sources and screens candidates against your criteria
• Verifies qualifications and experience letters
• Organises interviews and assessments
• Supports language training and recognition where needed
• Prepares candidates for departure: documents, briefings, travel
• Stays in contact after arrival

Red flags

• No registration, or registration under a different name
• Vague answers on who pays
• Candidates who report paying "processing" or "visa" fees
• Pressure to accept candidates without your own interviews