How to check if an Indian recruitment agency is MEA registered

Search the agent on the Government of India's eMigrate portal (emigrate.gov.in) under the list of registered recruiting agents. Under the Emigration Act, 1983, anyone recruiting Indians for overseas jobs must be registered, and registered agents display a licence number in their office and advertisements. If the agent is not on the list, do not pay.

How do I check if a recruitment agent is registered with the Ministry of External Affairs?

Step by step: verify an agent on eMigrate

Ask the agent for their Recruiting Agent (RA) registration or licence number. A registered agent should show it in the office and on advertisements.
Open the official eMigrate portal at emigrate.gov.in and look up the list of registered (active) recruiting agents.
Match the agency name, address and licence number to what the agent told you. A different name or an inactive entry is a warning sign.
Ask for the employer's name and the job offer in writing, and check that the agent is recruiting for that employer.
Keep a receipt for every payment. Registered agents must issue one for any service charge.

Why registration matters

The Emigration Act, 1983 requires a person who wants to run an overseas recruitment business in India to register as a Recruiting Agent with the Protector General of Emigrants. The Ministry of External Affairs has repeatedly warned job seekers about unregistered agents, fake job offers and overcharging. Dealing only with a registered agent protects your rights and gives you somewhere to complain. For how the portal itself works, see our eMigrate portal guide; for the legal charge, read the agent fee limit; and learn the warning signs of overseas job scams.

Emigration clearance for ECR passports

The Ministry of External Affairs states that people holding Emigration Check Required (ECR) passports who go to any of the 17 ECR countries for employment need emigration clearance. Check your passport category and the current list of ECR countries on the eMigrate portal before you travel.

If you have been cheated

Lodge a complaint with the office of the Protector General of Emigrants, or through the eMigrate system.
Contact the Indian Embassy or Consulate in the country concerned.
Register a grievance on the MADAD portal (madad.gov.in).
Call the Overseas Workers Resource Centre (OWRC) toll-free on 1800 11 3090 (India), which the Ministry says operates round the clock; the landline is +91-124-2341002.

Verify Job Spectra the same way

Apply this check to every agency you deal with, including Job Spectra. Ask for the registration details, check them on eMigrate, and read how we describe our no-upfront-job-fees policy on our Trust Center.

Official sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Information only, not legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I see the list of registered recruiting agents?

On the Government of India's eMigrate portal (emigrate.gov.in). The Ministry of External Affairs directs job seekers there to check whether a recruiting agent is registered.

Is it legal to pay an unregistered agent for an overseas job?

Recruiting for overseas employment without registration breaches the Emigration Act, 1983, and the Ministry of External Affairs warns that illegal recruitment can amount to human trafficking. Paying an unregistered agent leaves you with no recourse, so verify first.

What should I do if an agent asks for money but is not on the list?

Do not pay. Report the agent to the Protector General of Emigrants through eMigrate, to the nearest Indian mission, or call the OWRC on 1800 11 3090.