Certificate of Coverage (for all SSA Countries) from EPFO Offices

A. What is a Certificate of Coverage and Why It Matters

The Certificate of Coverage (CoC) is a legal document issued by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) in India. It plays a critical role in international workforce mobility, particularly for Indian professionals who are deputed or employed overseas in countries with which India has signed a Social Security Agreement (SSA).

When Indians go abroad for work—whether short-term assignments, long-term secondments, or intra-company transfers—they often face the issue of double social security deductions:

• One in India under the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF)

• Another in the host country under their respective social security system

This not only increases the financial burden on the employee and employer but also creates confusion in benefit eligibility and retirement payouts.

To eliminate this duplication, India has signed bilateral Social Security Agreements with several countries including:

• Germany

• France

• Belgium

• Netherlands

• Switzerland

• Luxembourg

• Korea

• Japan

• Norway

• Finland

• Denmark

• Austria

• Australia

• Portugal

• Canada

• Czech Republic

• Hungary

• Sweden

Under these SSAs, an Indian employee posted to an SSA country can continue contributing to EPF and be exempt from contributing to the foreign country’s social security—provided they obtain a Certificate of Coverage (CoC) from EPFO before their departure or within the validity period of their employment contract.

The CoC is issued based on eligibility, employment type, and duration and serves as proof that the Indian worker is covered under Indian social security law and is not liable to contribute to the host country’s system.

B. Our Services for CoC Application and Support

We offer comprehensive support for Indian employees, HR departments, and international companies needing a hassle-free CoC issuance process from EPFO. Whether you're applying for a fresh certificate or seeking renewal, we manage every step end-to-end.

1. Eligibility Review and Document Verification

Before filing the application, we perform a thorough check of the following:

• Employment type: direct hire, secondment, or intra-company transfer

• Duration of overseas assignment

• Host country: whether it falls under India’s SSA agreements

• Employee’s current EPF account status

• Applicability of CoC based on the employee’s salary structure, PF contributions, and employer obligations

We ensure that only eligible cases are processed, saving time and preventing rejections.

2. Drafting and Preparation of EPFO CoC Application

We help prepare all documents required by EPFO, including:

• Employer’s request letter on company letterhead

• Copy of the assignment/secondment letter

• Employee’s passport and visa copy

• Signed declaration of continued employment under Indian payroll

• PAN and Aadhaar (if needed)

• Copy of earlier CoC (in case of renewal)

We also assist in preparing the Form 10, which must be filled correctly with overseas assignment details and employee history.

3. Submission at the Right EPFO International Workers Cell

Only designated EPFO Regional Offices (e.g., Bandra, Gurgaon, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Delhi, Pune) are authorized to process CoC applications for international workers.

We guide you on:

• The appropriate office based on employer’s registration

• Physical or digital submission (via email or Shram Suvidha Portal)

• Coordinating with EPFO officials for smooth tracking

For urgent assignments, we escalate cases using prior experience and contacts within the respective PF office.

4. Follow-Up, Clarifications & Final Delivery

Once the documents are submitted, we:

• Track the application and liaise with EPFO representatives

• Respond to any queries or clarification emails on your behalf

• Ensure timely issuance of the CoC (usually within 5–15 working days)

The issued Certificate of Coverage is:

• Digitally signed and emailed

• Physically dispatched (if required)

• Shared with both employer and employee

We also advise how to use this certificate in the destination country—such as presenting it to foreign authorities, HR teams, or payroll administrators.

5. SSA Country Coordination & Translation Support

Some SSA countries (like Germany, France, or Switzerland) may require:

• Certified translations of the CoC

• Notification of local social security authorities

• Specific cover letters or embassy verifications

We assist with:

• Certified legal translation of the EPFO CoC into German/French/Dutch/etc.

• Pre-drafted intimation formats for foreign social security departments

• Coordination with Indian embassies, if required

C. Who Can Use Our CoC Support Services

Our services are designed for:

• Indian Employees traveling for work, training, or project-based assignments abroad

• Multinational Corporates and HR teams posting Indian employees to SSA countries

• Consulting and IT Firms frequently deputing Indian workers overseas

• Startups and SMEs unfamiliar with EPFO or SSA protocols

• Indian citizens settled abroad temporarily retained under Indian payroll

Whether it’s your first time or you need ongoing support, we simplify the process from start to finish.

D. Why Choose Us for Certificate of Coverage Services

✅ End-to-End Documentation – From eligibility check to EPFO filing and final delivery
✅ Pan-India Access – We coordinate with all designated EPFO international cells
✅ SSA Country Expertise – Familiarity with each country’s post-CoC protocols
✅ Urgent Turnaround – Fast-track filing for last-minute deputations
✅ Embassy and Translation Support – We help if your CoC needs consular attestation or certified translations
✅ Bulk Filing for Corporates – Dedicated HR handling for multiple employee deployments
✅ Advisory & Post-Issuance Guidance – Including how to present CoC overseas for maximum benefit