Moving Abroad for Work? Here's How to Withdraw Your EPF the Right Way
So, you're finally making the move abroad- new job, new city, new challenges. Between sorting out your visa, booking flights, finding a house, and figuring out your new work culture, there's one thing that many completely forget (or delay): their Employee Provident Fund (EPF).
Most people assume it’s something they’ll “come back to”... until it becomes tedious. But what if you could close that chapter before you leave?
Here’s how you can smoothly and lawfully withdraw your EPF when moving overseas.
What Happens to Your EPF When You Move Out of India?
If you've worked in India and you’ve been contributing to EPF (you and your employer), that money’s sitting safely under your UAN (Universal Account Number).
So what now?
If you’re moving abroad permanently (for work or settlement), you CAN withdraw your full EPF amount.
Unemployment vs. Migration — Which Reason Should You Select?
What Officially Works
You can select “Abroad Settlement” or “Permanent Migration” as your reason for PF withdrawal in Form 19.
The Practical Shortcut
However, it is suggested that the “2-month unemployment” route is often faster if your last contribution was over two months ago.
Why? It could be because staff at EPFO offices, especially in smaller towns, are usually more familiar with that workflow than handling abroad-withdrawal cases.
Note: Employment abroad is technically unemployment in the eyes of the EPFO. You could also be moving abroad to study, for marriage/family reasons or for self employment. All these would qualify as unemployment from an EPF point of view. You might also have a gap > 2 months between your job abroad and leaving work in India. Hence it is easier and more practical to submit a withdrawal request with unemployment as the reason.
Quick Tip
If you're pressed for time and more than 2 months have passed since your last EPF contribution, using “Unemployment” might be a smoother path. Just ensure your exit date is updated in the system.
You Should Transfer Your Old EPF Accounts to the Latest One
If you’re planning to withdraw your PF from your latest employer, you’re only going to get the amount that was accumulated during your latest job. That’s it. Any money sitting in your old EPF accounts from previous employers? It won’t be included unless you take a very important step — transfer those old balances to your current EPF account.
Now, since you’re moving abroad and probably looking to do a full and final PF settlement, it’s best to get everything in one place before making the withdrawal.
Why? Once you’ve withdrawn from your latest employer’s account, accessing the money from your older EPF accounts becomes a hassle. You’ll likely face rejections and end up having to go through a manual process, which often involves physically visiting the EPFO office and chasing down your old employer(s) for forms and signatures. That’s the last thing you want to deal with while moving abroad.
EPS: Will You Receive Pension Too?
There’s been a lot of confusion around who qualifies for EPS (Employee Pension Scheme). Here’s a quick breakdown:
You’re eligible for EPS withdrawal (Form 10C) IF:
You have less than 10 years of service, and
You were earning less than ₹15,000 basic salary/month when you joined AFTER Sep 1, 2014, or you joined before Sep 1, 2014 (in which case you’re automatically part of EPS regardless of salary)
If you joined after Sep 1, 2014 and began with salary >₹15,000:
You’re excluded from EPS and will only have an EPF corpus.
After 10 years of service:
You can’t withdraw pension. You’ll get a monthly pension only after age 58. Until then, your EPS balance stays locked.
Tip: Open your EPF passbook. If there’s a contribution in the “Pension Column,” you’re part of EPS.
Step-by-Step: How to Withdraw PF When Moving Abroad
Step 1: Get These Documents Ready
1)Aadhaar (linked to UAN)
2)PAN
3)Active Indian bank account associated with UAN
4)Passport and visa copy (for migration proof)
5)UAN login creds
Step 2: Login & Check KYC + Exit Update
Log in at https://unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in/.
Under “Manage” > KYC, make sure Aadhaar, PAN, and Bank Account details are verified.
Under “Service History”, ensure your employer has marked your “Exit Date.” This is crucial!
Step 3: Fill the Forms
Online (Preferred)
Open “Online Services” > “Claim (Form 31, 19 & 10C)”
Choose Form 19 for full PF withdrawal.
If eligible, fill Form 10C for pension withdrawal.
For reason, select “Abroad Settlement” and upload passport and visa, when asked.
Opt for “Unemployment” if you are unemployed for more than 2 months.
Authenticate via Aadhaar OTP.
What’s the Deal with Form 15G / 15H? Do You Really Need It?
What they are:
Form 15G = for individuals below 60
Form 15H = for those over 60
You file these to declare that your total taxable income is below ₹2.5L. and when your service is less than 5 years. Then TDS would not be deducted on your PF withdrawal.
NRIs are not eligible to submit 15G/H. If your status has changed legally, you should not use them.
Can You Withdraw from Abroad? Yes, but…
Online: As long as your Aadhaar, PAN, and mobile are linked to your UAN, you can log in and claim from anywhere.
Offline: Some forms still require original signatures, which can be tough to courier. In such cases, many people ask a trusted family member in India to help file and follow up.
While official EPFO instructions state you can file your claim online from anywhere, many NRIs report practical challenges accessing the portal or receiving OTPs abroad. In such cases, people frequently rely on trusted contacts in India to help complete the process.
Source:- https://thefynprint.com/epfo/moving-abroad-work-heres-withdraw-epf-right-way?id=68a4882fe5e94ae7f16f7ad6
