Guide
How to withdraw your EPF after moving abroad
How NRIs withdraw or transfer provident fund (EPF) after leaving India: the steps, the documents, tax under five years, and getting the money abroad.
Updated 30 October 2026
Once your Indian job has ended and you have moved abroad, you can claim your full EPF balance. Activate your UAN, make sure your name, date of birth, PAN and bank account match, check that your date of exit is marked, and file the claim online or through your last employer. The money is paid into your Indian bank account, usually an NRO account.
Before you claim
- Activate your UAN on the EPFO member portal and check you can log in.
- Check that your name and date of birth match your PAN and bank records exactly. Mismatches are the most common reason claims are rejected.
- Make sure your last employer has marked your date of exit.
- Link a verified Indian bank account. NRE accounts can't receive EPF money, so most NRIs use an NRO account.
Filing the claim
Online claims usually need an OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile. If you no longer have that number, or never had Aadhaar, the claim can be filed on paper through your last employer instead. Settlement often takes a few weeks once the details are correct.
Tax on the withdrawal
If you had at least five years of continuous service, counting transferred accounts, the withdrawal is generally tax free. Under five years, it is taxable and TDS is deducted, at a higher rate without a PAN. If too much TDS is deducted, you can claim it back by filing an Indian tax return.
Moving the money abroad
From your NRO account you can send the money abroad, usually with Form 15CA and a chartered accountant's Form 15CB. See Money transfer abroad.
If you need help
SafeNRI checks your UAN and records, works with your employer to fix mismatches, and files and follows up your claim. See EPF withdrawal.