How to transfer PF online after changing jobs: steps, what to check first, and how long it takes
When you change jobs, transfer your old PF to your new PF account instead of withdrawing it. Do it online on the EPFO member portal with the same UAN. Since January 2025, most transfer claims go straight to EPFO without employer approval, and since April 2025 the new office no longer has to approve them either, so the money moves as soon as the old PF office approves. EPFO's charter aims to settle transfers in 7 working days (the legal limit is 20 days). It is free.
Key facts Last verified: 9 Oct 2026
| Item | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Employer approval | Removed for most transfer claims from 15 January 2025 | EPFO / PIB |
| Aadhaar-verified UAN | No employer attestation needed; only about 10% of transfer claims still need it | Ministry of Labour (PIB, 17 Mar 2025) |
| New office approval | Not needed since the revamped Form 13 (April 2025); credit is instant once the old office approves | EPFO / PIB |
| Time limit | 20 days under the EPF Scheme; Citizen's Charter target 7 working days for Form 13 | EPFO Citizen's Charter |
| Transfer Certificate | Can be downloaded from the member portal | Ministry of Labour, Year End Review 2025 |
| Cost | Free; EPFO warns against paying agents or cyber cafés | EPFO (PIB, 16 Jun 2025) |
| Helpline | 1800-118-005 (toll-free) | EPFO |
Amit worked 3 years at a company in Pune and has now joined a new firm in Nashik. His new payslip shows PF, but his EPFO passbook has two accounts: the old one with ₹1.4 lakh and a new, small one. If he transfers the old balance, both join into one account. His service counts as one continuous period, and the money keeps earning interest. If he withdraws it, he loses that.
Why transfer instead of withdraw?
- Your service adds up. EPFO adds service with the previous and present employer when it decides whether TDS applies to a later withdrawal (no TDS after 5 years of total service). See TDS on PF withdrawal.
- Your pension service continues under EPS, which matters for the 10-year pension rule. See EPS pension formula.
- An old account can go quiet. EPFO says that if you are still working, you should move the old balance into your current account.
Before you start: 4 checks
- Same UAN at the old and new job. If you have two UANs, see What if you have 2 UANs?
- Aadhaar and bank account linked (seeded) to your UAN. See EPFO KYC update.
- Date of exit from the old job is entered. If the old employer did not enter it, you may be able to update it yourself. See PF exit date and details correction.
- Name, date of birth and gender match Aadhaar. Mismatches are a common reason for transfer trouble.
Auto-transfer: EPFO asks new members to give their UAN and old PF details to the new employer so that the transfer can happen automatically. If your passbook already shows the old balance in the new account, you need not file anything.
How to transfer PF online, step by step
- Log in to the EPFO member portal (unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in) with your UAN and password, or use the UMANG app.
- Open Online Services and choose the transfer request option.
- Check your personal details and the present PF account (new job) shown on screen.
- Select the previous PF account you want to move.
- Confirm with the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile, and submit.
- In most cases the claim goes straight to EPFO. A few still need the old or new employer to attest it online. The screen tells you if yours does.
How long does it take, and how to track it
The EPF Scheme gives EPFO 20 days to settle a claim, and the Citizen's Charter aims for 7 working days for a transfer (Form 13). Since April 2025, once the old PF office approves the claim, the money moves to your present account immediately. The new office no longer has to approve it.
Track the claim status in the member portal or the UMANG app. When it is done, check your passbook: the old balance and service should appear in the new account. You can also download the Transfer Certificate from the member portal. It shows your PF balance with interest and your full service history.
Transfer stuck or rejected? Common reasons
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Date of exit missing for old job | Ask the old employer, or update it yourself if your UAN is Aadhaar-verified |
| Name / date of birth differs between jobs or Aadhaar | Correct the details first: how |
| Bank or Aadhaar not seeded to UAN | Update KYC: how |
| Claim waiting for employer attestation | Ask HR to attest it online on the employer portal |
| Old account under a different UAN | Link or merge the UANs: how |
If nothing moves, raise a grievance on EPFiGMS (epfigms.gov.in) or call 1800-118-005. It costs nothing.
Never pay an agent to transfer PF. EPFO has warned that cyber cafés and "fintech" firms charge members large sums for services that are free online, and that sharing your login puts your money at risk.
Frequently asked questions
Can I transfer PF online without employer approval?
In most cases, yes. Since January 2025 most transfer claims go straight to EPFO, and claims on Aadhaar-verified UANs don't need employer attestation. Only about 10% still need it, and the portal tells you if yours does.
How many days does PF transfer take?
EPFO's charter target is 7 working days, and the legal limit is 20 days. Once the old PF office approves, the money reaches your new account immediately.
Should I transfer or withdraw PF when I change jobs?
Transfer it. Your service keeps adding up for pension and for the 5-year TDS rule, and the money keeps earning interest.
Do I need to transfer PF if my UAN is the same?
Yes. The same UAN still has a separate PF account (member ID) for each employer. Transfer joins the old account's balance and service into the current one, unless it was transferred automatically.
Where can I see that the transfer is complete?
In your EPFO passbook, where the old balance appears in the new account, and in the Transfer Certificate you can download from the member portal.
Official links
Use only these government websites. HumainOne is not connected to any of them.
- EPFO Member PortalTransfer request, claim status, Transfer Certificate
- EPFOFAQs, circulars, helpline
- PIB — Transfer process simplified (19 Jan 2025)Employer approval removed in most cases
- PIB — Revamped Form 13 (25 Apr 2025)Destination office approval removed
- EPFiGMS grievance portalComplaints about stuck transfers
- EPFO helplineToll-free
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