Use official portal to land jobs abroad, says MEA authority

Panaji: The protector of emigrants for Karnataka and Goa, ministry of external affairs, Avaneesh Shukla, during his recent two-day visit to the state asked potential job-seekers to use the official eMigrate portal — www.emigrate.gov.in for accessing information on overseas jobs, licensed recruitment agents, and emigration clearance.During his outreach programme, Shukla suggested that emigrants attend to the dos and don’ts of overseas employment, and emphasised the importance of making informed decisions. He also recommended using the 24x7 helpline number, +91-11-2688-5021, available through the Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra, for availing help on migration.A toll-free number, 1800 11 3090, a WhatsApp support number, 7428321144, and an email ID, helpline@mea.gov.in, are also available to verify methods of immigration, said Shukla.Over the last year, the state witnessed numerous cases of fake agencies offering jobs abroad and cheating job aspirants. Chief minister Pramod Sawant, earlier this year, said job scams cost the state nearly Rs 100 crore a year. Enforcement bodies are keeping tabs on agencies offering jobs abroad. The NRI commission too has been regularly warning job-seekers to go through proper channels so as not to fall prey to fraudsters.Shukla also listed the licensed and registered overseas hiring agencies functioning in Goa, and requested jobseekers to confirm the credentials of the agencies before accepting employment opportunities abroad. He said that as of Aug 2025, there are only 12 legitimate agencies in Goa that facilitate overseas employment services.