Gulf jobs for Indian applicants
The Indian government's rules for working in the Gulf, the legal limit on what an agent can charge, and where to find current openings.
Last checked: November 2026. Rules and fee limits change. This page is a general guide, not legal advice. Check the current rules and the list of registered agents on the Government of India's portal before you pay anyone: eMigrate (Ministry of External Affairs)
Use only a recruiting agent registered with India's Ministry of External Affairs, and check the agent on emigrate.gov.in before you pay anything. By law a registered agent cannot charge you more than ₹30,000 plus GST in service charges, and must give you a receipt. If your passport is marked "Emigration Check Required" (ECR), you also need emigration clearance from the Protector of Emigrants before you travel to work in a Gulf country.
Key rules
| Topic | What applies |
|---|---|
| Registered agents only | Only recruiting agents registered with the Ministry of External Affairs may recruit for jobs abroad. Check the "List of active RA" on emigrate.gov.in. |
| Maximum agent fee | No more than ₹30,000 plus 18% GST in service charges. The agent must give you a receipt, and must take payment by digital payment or bank draft. |
| Emigration clearance | Needed if your passport is in the ECR category and you are going to work in an ECR country. Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are all on the ECR list. |
| Insurance | Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) is mandatory for workers recruited through registered agents. It gives ₹10 lakh cover for a one-time premium of ₹275 for two years or ₹375 for three years. |
| Complaints | Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra (PBSK), Ministry of External Affairs. |
Warning from the Ministry of External Affairs. The Ministry reports a large rise in job seekers cheated by unregistered agents with fake job offers and charges of ₹2 to 5 lakh. Recruiting without a licence breaks the Emigration Act 1983.
Before you accept a Gulf job
- Check the agent. Ask to see the Registration Certificate and confirm it on emigrate.gov.in.
- Ask for the paperwork. The demand letter and power of attorney from the foreign employer, and your employment contract.
- Read the contract. Check the salary, job title, working hours and who pays for the visa and ticket.
- Pay only the legal amount, with a receipt. Never in cash without a receipt.
- Get the right visa. Travel on an employment visa, not a visit visa.
- Complete clearance and insurance. Emigration clearance if you are in the ECR category, and your PBBY policy.
Applying directly to an employer
Many professionals apply straight to the company through a job advert. The same checks apply: a written contract, the correct work visa, and no payment for the job. Gulf employers sponsor your work permit.
Questions people ask
How much can a recruiting agent legally charge for a Gulf job in India?
No more than ₹30,000 plus 18% GST in service charges, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. The agent must give you a receipt.
How do I check if a recruiting agent is genuine?
Look the agent up in the list of active recruiting agents on emigrate.gov.in, the Ministry of External Affairs portal, and ask to see the Registration Certificate.
Do I need emigration clearance to work in the Gulf?
Yes, if your passport is in the Emigration Check Required (ECR) category. Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are ECR countries. Clearance comes from the Protector of Emigrants.
What is PBBY insurance?
Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana is mandatory insurance for emigrant workers recruited through registered agents. It gives ₹10 lakh cover for a one-time premium of ₹275 for two years or ₹375 for three years.
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