What Is MEA Registration?
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India regulates all overseas recruitment agencies through the Emigration Act. Any agency recruiting Indian workers for overseas employment must hold a valid Recruiting Agent (RA) license.
Why It Matters for Workers
- Legal protection: MEA-registered agencies are bound by Indian law. If anything goes wrong, you have legal recourse
- No illegal fees: Registered agencies cannot charge workers more than the government-prescribed service fee
- Verified employers: MEA requires agencies to verify the legitimacy of foreign employers before sending workers
- Insurance coverage: Emigration clearance (required for 18 ECR countries) includes insurance and welfare provisions
Red Flags: Unlicensed Recruiters
Beware of agents who:
- Cannot show an MEA license number
- Ask for payment in cash without receipts
- Promise unrealistically high salaries
- Refuse to provide a written employment contract
- Ask you to travel on a tourist visa instead of a work visa
How to Verify
You can verify any agency’s MEA registration on the official eMigrate portal at emigrate.gov.in. Romania Manpower operates under MEA license B-3390/PUN/COM/100/5/11396/2026.