Consular, Passport and Visa Division

Repatriation To India

Q: I am in distress and want to go back to India, What should I do?
A:

Kindly contact the nearest Indian Consulate/Embassy along with copy of all the relevant documents related to your employment, stating the reasons as to why you want to go back to India, so that the nearest Indian diplomatic Mission can assist you with your concerns. You can also register your grievance, along with a brief description of your problem, on theMADAD Portal. This will provide you system-generated email updates whenever there is an update to the status of your complaint/grievance.

Q: Can I visit India before the completion of my contract period?
A:

You can avail leave and airfare to India as per the terms and condition of your contract and also as per the consent your employer/sponsor. If you feel the terms of your contract are being violated, you can register your complaint/grievance on the MADAD portal or make a complaint against your Recruiting Agent (RA) on the e-Migrate portal.

Q: The foreign employer is not permitting me to visit India before completion of my contract time. What should I do?
A:

The leave admissible during the period of your contract and the number of air passages admissible to India should normally be specified in your contract. If you feel the terms of your contract are being violated, you can register your complaint/grievance on the MADAD portal or make a complaint against your Recruiting Agent (RA) on the e-Migrate portal.. You also have option of approaching the local labour office/court or the nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate.

Q: I am jobless and have no money to return to India. Can I get assistance from the Indian Embassy/Consulate?
A:

Your return passage to India should normally be paid by the foreign employer/sponsor. If, however, your return to India is due to a breakdown in the contract relationship, you may be eligible for airfare at government expense under some conditions. Such assistance is provided from the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) on a means-tested basis. Please approach the nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate to know more details.

Q: Salary and accommodation have not been provided as per employment contract to me by the Employer, I therefore want to return to India. What should I do?
A:

The salary and accommodation details and the number of air passages admissible to India should normally be specified in your contract. In you feel the terms of your contract are being violated, you can register your complaint/grievance on the MADAD portal or make a complaint against your Recruiting Agent (RA) on the e-Migrate portal. . You also have option of approaching the local labour office/court or the nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate.

Q: Can the Indian Embassy arrange an Exit Visa from a foreign country?
A:

In countries where an exit visa is mandatory to leave the country, only the foreign employer/sponsor can normally arrange an exit visa. In cases of dispute, where the employer/sponsor is unwilling to arrange an exit visa, then you need to approach the local labour court. You can also register your complaint/grievance on the MADAD portal or make a complaint against your Recruiting Agent (RA) on the e-Migrate portal. or approach the nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate for guidance.

Q: My employer/sponsor is not handing over my passport to me and I need to return to India. What should I do?
A:

You may approach the nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate for issue of a travel document. Please note that, in addition to the travel document, an exit visa may also be required to be obtained from the local Government, in countries where this is mandatory.

Q: Can I return to India before completion of my work contract period?
A:

It is advised that first you take up the matter with your employer. Generally, it is advisable to complete the contract period. In exceptional circumstances, the nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate may be contacted for possible assistance.They may be able to intervene to help you reach an amicable settlement. You can also register your complaint/grievance on the MADAD portal .

Q: The health condition of a family member in India is critical. I need to go back to India urgently. What should I do?
A:

Usually, there is a provision in the employment contract for urgent leave. You should invoke that clause in your contract. If your employer does not agree, please approach your Recruiting Agent for intervention with the employer. If you face problems in this regard, please approach the Indian Embassy/Consulate concerned for advice/assistance. You can also register your grievance on the MADAD Portal -