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Everyday tasks

Withdrawing or transferring your PF (EPF)
Your PF money is paid into your bank account, or moved to the PF account of your new job.
For whom: EPF members who want to take out part or all of their PF, or who changed jobs and want to move their old PF. EPFO is a central government body; its offices in Telangana are listed here too.
Published on 30-10-2026. Not every fact has been checked against its official source yet: confirm at the office.
Answer a few questions to see which steps apply to you. The whole guide is below.

Documents you need

•
Aadhaar (linked to your UAN)
original
If you don't have it:
→ Getting a new Aadhaar
•
A bank account in your name, linked to your Aadhaar
original
An account in a scheduled bank or a co-operative bank
If you don't have it:
→ Opening a bank account (Jan Dhan / zero-balance account)
•
PAN card
original
If you don't have it:
→ New PAN card
•
Medical certificate of permanent and total incapacity for work (only for that reason)
original
From the establishment's medical officer, or a registered doctor the establishment names; if you have ESI, from your ESI dispensary doctor; if the establishment has closed, from any registered doctor
•
Paper claim form
original
If you don't have it:
Ask your employer or the EPFO office.
Not confirmed: We could not find the current paper form's name or copy on the EPFO website (the old forms page has moved); the office will give you the right one.

Steps

Only if
Which of these are you? Indian citizen living abroad (NRI)
1.
If you work in a country that has a social security agreement with India, you may count as an "International Worker", whose rules differ. Check the list of agreement countries on the EPFO website. If your country is on it, ask EPFO (14470) before you apply.
💻 Online
Open the official page ↗
epfo.gov.in · opens in a new tab
Not confirmed: We could not read EPFO's procedure for International Workers' claims; EPFO can tell you.
Only if
Can you log in to the EPFO member portal with your UAN and password? No: my UAN is not activated, or I do not know it
2.
If you do not know your UAN (Universal Account Number), find it on the member portal with "Know Your UAN", using your details.
💻 Online
Open the official page ↗
unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in · opens in a new tab
3.
Activate your UAN in the UMANG app: choose EPFO services, then "UAN Activation" under "UAN Services Through Face Auth", and confirm with Aadhaar face authentication (by showing your face). If you have no UAN yet, choose "UAN Allotment and Activation". The member portal no longer activates UANs.
💻 Online
Open the official page ↗
web.umang.gov.in · opens in a new tab
📎 Aadhaar (linked to your UAN)
💰 Fee: Free · All EPFO services are free.
Only if
Can you log in to the EPFO member portal with your UAN and password? Yes / No: my UAN is not activated, or I do not know it
4.
Log in to the EPFO member portal with your UAN and password. Never tell anyone your password or an OTP.
💻 Online
Open the official page ↗
unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in · opens in a new tab
5.
Check that your Aadhaar, bank account and PAN are linked to your UAN (KYC). Add any that is missing on the portal. Since April 2025 a bank account can be added without your employer's approval.
💻 Online
Open the official page ↗
unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in · opens in a new tab
📎 Aadhaar (linked to your UAN), A bank account in your name, linked to your Aadhaar, PAN card
💰 Fee: Free · All EPFO services are free.
Only if
What do you want to do with your PF? Move it to the PF account of my new job
6.
Give your new employer your UAN and the details of your old PF account. With them, the old account can move automatically.
🏛️ Your new employer
Only if
What do you want to do with your PF? Move it to the PF account of my new job · Can you log in to the EPFO member portal with your UAN and password? Yes / No: my UAN is not activated, or I do not know it
7.
If the old account has not moved, apply on the member portal to transfer the old PF account to the new one (Form 13). Since 15 January 2025 most transfers need no approval from the employer.
💻 Online
Open the official page ↗
unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in · opens in a new tab
💰 Fee: Free · All EPFO services are free.
⏱️ within 20 days · EPFO must settle a complete claim within 20 days (EPF Scheme, 2026, para 54).
8.
When the transfer is done, download the transfer certificate (Annexure K) from the member portal. Check that the balance and your period of service have moved.
💻 Online
Open the official page ↗
unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in · opens in a new tab
Only if
What do you want to do with your PF? Take out part of it (advance) · Can you log in to the EPFO member portal with your UAN and password? Yes / No: my UAN is not activated, or I do not know it
9.
On the member portal, apply for a partial withdrawal (advance, Form 31) and choose the purpose: illness, education, marriage, a house, or special circumstances. You need 12 months of membership (not if you are leaving the job). A quarter of all contributions, with interest, must stay in the account; you can take up to all of the rest, and at least ₹1,000. Education can be claimed up to 10 times, marriage up to 5 times, a house up to 5 times, and special circumstances up to twice a year; these counts started afresh on 29 June 2026.
💻 Online
Open the official page ↗
unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in · opens in a new tab
📎 A bank account in your name, linked to your Aadhaar
💰 Fee: Free · All EPFO services are free.
⏱️ within 20 days · EPFO must settle a complete claim within 20 days (EPF Scheme, 2026, para 54).
Only if
What do you want to do with your PF? Take out all of it · Why are you taking it all out? I left my job and am not working now
10.
You can apply for the full amount only after you have not worked in any establishment under the Code on Social Security for 12 months in a row. Until then you can take a partial withdrawal (advance).
✋ You do this yourself
Only if
What do you want to do with your PF? Take out all of it · Why are you taking it all out? I am leaving India to settle or to work abroad
11.
Apply before you leave India: the full amount can be paid just before you leave to settle or to take up a job abroad.
✋ You do this yourself
Not confirmed: We found no official list of the proof EPFO asks for in this case (for example a visa or a job letter); call 14470 and ask before you apply.
Only if
What do you want to do with your PF? Take out all of it · Why are you taking it all out? Retrenched, voluntary retirement, or permanently unable to work
12.
If it is because you are permanently and totally unable to work: get a medical certificate. If you have ESI, get it from your ESI dispensary doctor; if not, from the establishment's medical officer. A member with tuberculosis, leprosy or cancer (even if it began after leaving the job, but before the payment is approved) is treated as permanently and totally unable to work.
🏛️ Your ESI dispensary, or the establishment's medical officer
Only if
What do you want to do with your PF? Take out all of it · Can you log in to the EPFO member portal with your UAN and password? Yes / No: my UAN is not activated, or I do not know it
13.
On the member portal, apply for the full withdrawal of your PF (Form 19). The money is paid into your bank account.
💻 Online
Open the official page ↗
unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in · opens in a new tab
📎 A bank account in your name, linked to your Aadhaar, Medical certificate of permanent and total incapacity for work (only for that reason)
💰 Fee: Free · All EPFO services are free.
⏱️ within 20 days · EPFO must settle a complete claim within 20 days (EPF Scheme, 2026, para 54).
14.
The pension part (EPS) has its own claim. With less than 10 years of service, you can take the withdrawal benefit (Form 10C), or a scheme certificate instead. If you left before the age of superannuation, the withdrawal benefit is paid only 36 months after your last contribution fell due, or when you reach that age, whichever comes first. With 10 years of service or more, you get a monthly pension (Form 10D) instead.
💻 Online
Open the official page ↗
unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in · opens in a new tab
💰 Fee: Free · All EPFO services are free.
⏱️ within 20 days · EPFO must settle a complete claim within 20 days (EPF Scheme, 2026, para 54).
Only if
Can you log in to the EPFO member portal with your UAN and password? Yes / No: my UAN is not activated, or I do not know it
15.
Check the withdrawal or transfer and your balance in the passbook on the member portal ("Passbook Lite").
💻 Online
Open the official page ↗
unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in · opens in a new tab
Only if
Can you log in to the EPFO member portal with your UAN and password? I cannot apply online
16.
Ask your employer or the EPFO office for the paper claim form for what you need (withdrawal, advance or transfer).
🏛️ Your employer, or the EPFO office
📎 Paper claim form
17.
Fill in the form and give it to your employer. The employer checks it, attests (signs) it and sends it to EPFO within 5 days.
🏛️ Your employer
📎 Paper claim form, Aadhaar (linked to your UAN), A bank account in your name, linked to your Aadhaar, Medical certificate of permanent and total incapacity for work (only for that reason)
⏱️ within 5 days · The employer must send it to EPFO within 5 days (EPF Scheme, 2026, para 54(3)).
18.
If your employer will not sign, or the establishment has closed: have the form attested by the manager of the bank where you hold your account. Write down why the employer did not sign, and give it with the form at the EPFO regional office.
🏛️ EPFO regional office. In Telangana: Barkatpura, Rangareddy (also at Barkatpura), Banjara Hills (at Begumpet) and Kukatpally (at Balanagar) in Hyderabad; Karimnagar; Nizamabad; Sangareddy (at Patancheru); Warangal (at Kazipet); district offices at Khammam and Nirmal; annexe office at Siddipet
📎 Paper claim form, Aadhaar (linked to your UAN), A bank account in your name, linked to your Aadhaar, Medical certificate of permanent and total incapacity for work (only for that reason)
💰 Fee: Free · All EPFO services are free.
Not confirmed: Which office handles your claim depends on your employer's PF code; ask your employer or 14470 which one it is.

Another route for you

The EPF Scheme, 2026 treats a person who holds a foreign passport as an "International Worker" (an OCI cardholder is a foreign national holding a foreign passport). The rules differ: you can take out the full PF only when you retire from the job after the age of 58, if you become permanently and totally unable to work, or, if a social security agreement between India and your country covers you, when you stop working here. Unless an agreement covers you, the money is paid only into a bank account in India. Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan are treated as Indian workers.
Instead, see:
Ask EPFO how to apply: call 14470, or go to the EPFO regional office for your employer. The agreement countries are listed on the International Workers page of epfo.gov.in.
Not confirmed: We could not read EPFO's current procedure for International Workers' claims (online or on paper, and with which documents); ask EPFO before you apply.

Fees and time limits

Step 3
💰 Free · All EPFO services are free.
Step 5
💰 Free · All EPFO services are free.
Step 7
💰 Free · All EPFO services are free.
⏱️ within 20 days · EPFO must settle a complete claim within 20 days (EPF Scheme, 2026, para 54).
Step 9
💰 Free · All EPFO services are free.
⏱️ within 20 days · EPFO must settle a complete claim within 20 days (EPF Scheme, 2026, para 54).
Step 13
💰 Free · All EPFO services are free.
⏱️ within 20 days · EPFO must settle a complete claim within 20 days (EPF Scheme, 2026, para 54).
Step 14
💰 Free · All EPFO services are free.
⏱️ within 20 days · EPFO must settle a complete claim within 20 days (EPF Scheme, 2026, para 54).
Step 17
⏱️ within 5 days · The employer must send it to EPFO within 5 days (EPF Scheme, 2026, para 54(3)).
Step 18
💰 Free · All EPFO services are free.

If something goes wrong

If it is rejected
Read the reason EPFO gives; EPFO must tell you of any shortcoming in the claim within 20 days of receiving it. Fix what it names and apply again. If you think the rejection is wrong, complain on EPFiGMS with your UAN.
EPFiGMS (EPFO's grievance portal)
Open the official page ↗
epfigms.gov.in · opens in a new tab
📞 14470
If it is late
EPFO must settle a complete claim within 20 days. After 20 days, complain on EPFiGMS (or in the UMANG app); you get a registration number by SMS. If the complaint is pending for more than 15 days, email rc.csd@epfindia.gov.in with that number, or call 14470.
EPFiGMS (EPFO's grievance portal)
Open the official page ↗
epfigms.gov.in · opens in a new tab
📞 14470
If you are asked for more money
All EPFO services, such as claims, transfers, KYC and complaints, are free. Do not pay cyber cafés or agents. EPFO never asks for Aadhaar, PAN or bank details on the phone, and never asks you to pay money; never tell anyone your UAN password or an OTP. Report such calls to the local police or the cyber crime branch.
EPFO helpdesk
Open the official page ↗
epfigms.gov.in · opens in a new tab
📞 14470
Also
If PF was cut from your pay but the passbook shows no deposit, or your employer has not enrolled you: the employer must not take its own share from your wages, and you can ask the employer for the record of your contributions (Form 3-A or the ECR copy). Ask your employer first; if that does not help, complain on EPFiGMS or at the EPFO regional office.
EPFiGMS (EPFO's grievance portal)
Open the official page ↗
epfigms.gov.in · opens in a new tab
📞 14470

Related guides

→ Opening a bank account (Jan Dhan / zero-balance account)→ Linking Aadhaar to your bank account (DBT seeding)→ New PAN card→ Link PAN with Aadhaar→ Updating your Aadhaar→ After a death in the family→ ESI: card, treatment and benefits→ e-Shram card (unorganised workers' registration)→ Complaint about unpaid wages or pay below the minimum wage
Updated on 30-10-2026
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