Stuck Abroad: How Can I Get My PF Withdrawal Without Employer's Attestation?

Hi, I applied for my PF withdrawal about 6 months ago after resigning from my company. Unfortunately, my PF cheque was not credited to my account and was returned to the PF office. I registered a complaint with the PF office, and they advised me to send a request letter for PF withdrawal duly attested by my ex-employer for re-credit of the settled amount in my favor.

However, I am currently staying outside of India, and it is not possible for me to have the request letter attested by my previous employer. Can you please suggest an alternative way by which the settled amount can be credited in my favor? Please advise.

Steps to Withdraw Your PF Amount

This is what you can do:

1. Visit this website: [EPFO](http://epfindia.com) *(link updated to site home)*.
2. Download and print Form 19 and 10C (both sides).
3. Fill in the required details and sign in the relevant places.
4. Send this document to your previous employer. *(Please speak to your previous employer and ask for the right person to be addressed before sending.)*
5. Follow up with them to forward this to your PF office. *(Please note: this requires some administrative tasks at your previous employer's end, like attaching a few other proofs and documents, which might take some time.)*
6. Check your SB account (in India) to see if the amount has been credited. *(This might take 3-8 weeks.)*
7. Have copies and proofs of sending the documents.

Regards,
Sree

Thank you, Sree, for your valuable suggestion. Could you please suggest another way for me to apply for PF withdrawal without interference from my ex-employer? I am currently staying outside India. I have attempted to contact the responsible person at my ex-employer who handles PF-related matters, but he has not responded to my emails or calls. Can you please advise me on an alternative method to ensure I receive the PF settlement amount?

Kind Regards,
Raghav Sharma

Sorry for the delay. These options could be tried:

Option One: Send the forms and follow-up letters to your ex-employer by registered post with acknowledgment (with the help of your acquaintance in India), so that you have some proof of keeping the communication alive when you approach them later.

Option Two: You can get the forms signed by a notary in India and send the forms to the PF Office. However, the PF office will send these forms back to your ex-employer for verification, and based on that, they will credit the amount.

Option Three: Retain your PF account as it is, and when you come back to India, you could follow this up personally with the ex-employer and PF Office. The account and the amount would be safe until you claim.

Frankly, there is not much roundabout without getting in touch with your ex-employer. If nothing works, you could file a complaint with the Regional PF Commissioner or the Central PF Commissioner with copies of documents.

Regards,
Sree