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The Online registration mandatory for Indian job seekers becomes mandatory since January 1, 2019. This directive is a relevant measure to provide protection and welfare to the Indian emigrants abroad.

Indians going for overseas employment must pre-register with an Indian government recruitment portal, failing which they will be offloaded. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has specifically directed all Indians travelling to these 18 countries on employment visas, irrespective of their educational and employment background, to register online. This mandatory registration is done by visiting the ECNR Registration section on the website www.emigrate.gov.in.

Since January 2019, no Indian emigrant holding Non-ECR passport is allowed to go to these 18 ECR countries for employment without prior registration in eMigrate, as a measure of extending protection and ensuring their welfare overseas. Such Indian citizens require an emigration clearance from the office of the Protector of Emigrants to seek employment in foreign countries, including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Thailand, UAE Yemen.

The protection ensured through the eMigrate portal for this category of workers is extended to ECNR (emigration clearance not required) passport holders as well. According to the Indian Cabinet advisory, “The said registration of Non-ECR passport holders will be mandatory and required to be completed at least 24 hours prior to the actual departure”. Therefore, Off-loading of unregistered non-ECR emigrants at the airports is effected by the appropriate authority since January 1, 2019”. As per the directive, over dozen categories of Indian citizens automatically qualify for ECNR status, including income-tax payers, those below 18 years and above the age of 50, and those with an educational qualification of matriculation and above.

On successful completion of online registration, the applicant would receive a confirmatory SMS/ email. This confirmation will have to be shown at the airport from where the applicant boards the flight.

Importantly, the online recruitment portal was established to ensure protection and welfare of the ECR (emigration clearance required) passport holders who are uneducated and unskilled. The recruitment procedure through the eMigrate portal has been in place for ECR category since 2015 to protect them against human trafficking, illegal recruitment and exploitation. The above provision has been made operational from December, 2017 on pilot basis and it is observed that the registration process is running smoothly.

The analysts feel that the MEA move is an important step from the Indian government to ensure the welfare and proper working conditions of all Indian workers going abroad, especially those who are susceptible and going overseas for the first time. There have been cases targeting professionals, teachers, doctors and others falling victims to bogus job offers. Such directives will certainly deter such bogus and fraud activities. The the new move will help prevent educated job aspirants from falling for fake job offers.

Job seekers having queries and seeking clarifications can contact Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra (PBSK) in India on toll free number 1800113090 or 01140503090 (charges apply) or by email at mailto:helpline@mea.gov.in

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