EPFO Update: Withdrawing your PF balance after changing jobs is often difficult for private sector employees, especially those who are moving from India to another country. However, this process has now become even easier. The EPFO has simplified the EPF transfer process.
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation has announced revised guidelines to simplify the transfer of provident fund amounts to foreign bank accounts of international workers. The move aims to relieve these workers of tax-related challenges and streamline the transfer process.
EPFO, under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, issued a new directive on March 18. It aims to simplify the process of transfer of provident fund and pension benefits to international employees and their beneficiaries working in countries with which India has a Social Security Agreement (SSA).
ALSO READ: Shashi Tharoor Not In Kerala CM Race, Says Top Post Must Go To Elected MLA
This updated process aims to reduce compliance hassles for employers and make fund transfers more efficient for employees; particularly by resolving issues related to filing tax Form 15CA and Form 15CB, which have been a source of administrative challenges until now.
According to a circular issued on March 18, 2026, the EPFO has revised its approach, now allowing direct payments to foreign bank accounts of international employees from countries that have a Social Security Agreement (SSA) with India. This means that payments to foreign bank accounts will only be possible for SSA countries.
International workers must prove their foreign bank account information through a bank statement or passbook, verified by the employer or a competent SSA authority.
The regional office in Delhi (North) will act as the nodal agency for filing various tax forms, including Form 15CA, and receiving Form 15CB. A dedicated chartered accountant will be appointed to manage these functions in accordance with the provisions of the GFR.
It is mandatory for the Regional Offices (ROs) handling the claims to ensure that the tax deductions are accurate and necessary procedural adjustments are made.
Earlier, Minister of State for Labor and Employment Shobha Karandlaje gave information about the major reforms made under EPFO 3.0 in Lok Sabha
The biggest update concerns the Centralised Pension Payment System (CPPS) of the EPFO. According to EPFO Minister Shobha Karandlaje, all EPFO field offices across the country have adopted this system as of January 1, 2025. Through this new system, more than 7 million pensioners are receiving their pensions on time and without errors every month.