India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has released the draft Overseas Mobility (Facilitation & Welfare) Bill 2025, inviting feedback from diaspora groups, recruitment agencies and the public until 30 November. The proposed law will replace the four-decade-old Emigration Act 1983 and modernise the regulatory framework covering more than 13 million Indian workers abroad.
Key features include a new national Emigrant Worker Registry interoperable with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) wage-protection systems, mandatory insurance of ₹10 lakh for all ECR-category workers, and stiff penalties—up to ₹2 crore—for unlicensed recruitment intermediaries. The draft also introduces a risk-based ‘trusted employer’ scheme that promises faster clearance of corporate demand letters where past compliance is proven.
For global mobility teams, the Bill could result in additional due-diligence steps when relocating blue- and white-collar staff, particularly to the Middle East and Southeast Asia. However, streamlined digital approvals and clearer grievance-redressal mechanisms may offset the compliance burden.
Industry bodies such as NASSCOM and CII are expected to submit position papers seeking clarity on how the “trusted employer” fast track will interface with IT services companies that regularly place staff on project visas.
Once stakeholder consultations close, MEA aims to table the legislation in the Budget session of Parliament. If enacted, rules and a new online portal could go live by early 2026, giving corporates roughly six months to align their mobility policies.
Key features include a new national Emigrant Worker Registry interoperable with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) wage-protection systems, mandatory insurance of ₹10 lakh for all ECR-category workers, and stiff penalties—up to ₹2 crore—for unlicensed recruitment intermediaries. The draft also introduces a risk-based ‘trusted employer’ scheme that promises faster clearance of corporate demand letters where past compliance is proven.
For global mobility teams, the Bill could result in additional due-diligence steps when relocating blue- and white-collar staff, particularly to the Middle East and Southeast Asia. However, streamlined digital approvals and clearer grievance-redressal mechanisms may offset the compliance burden.
Industry bodies such as NASSCOM and CII are expected to submit position papers seeking clarity on how the “trusted employer” fast track will interface with IT services companies that regularly place staff on project visas.
Once stakeholder consultations close, MEA aims to table the legislation in the Budget session of Parliament. If enacted, rules and a new online portal could go live by early 2026, giving corporates roughly six months to align their mobility policies.
