How to Transfer Your PF When You Change Jobs
Transfer your EPF balance from the old employer's Member ID to the new one online via the EPFO member portal — Form 13 OTCP, employer attestation, and how to merge multiple Member IDs under one UAN.
- Last verified
- 21 June 2026
- Official site
- unifiedportal-emp.epfindia.gov.in ↗
- Application Mode
- Online
- Validity
- Permanent
- Issuing Authority
- EPFO
- Online
- Available
- Offline
- Not available
When you change jobs, your EPF balance doesn't move automatically — you have to file a transfer claim through the EPFO member portal. The new Member ID issued by your new employer needs to pull your old balance forward; otherwise, you end up with multiple Member IDs and no continuity for pension service.
The portal uses the One Member-One EPF Account flow — also known as Form 13 OTCP (Online Transfer Claim Portal). The whole process is online, but it requires:
- Approved KYC (Aadhaar, PAN, bank) — without this, nothing moves.
- The old Member ID visible under your UAN — link it manually if it isn't.
- Employer attestation — pick the current employer for faster turnaround if your previous employer is slow.
If you have continuing employment, always transfer — never withdraw. Withdrawals attract TDS and reset your pension service.
Eligibility
- Your UAN is activated.
- Your KYC (Aadhaar, PAN, bank) is verified and approved by either the previous or current employer on the EPFO portal.
- You have at least two Member IDs linked under your UAN (or you have one with the new employer and want to fetch the old one).
- You are currently employed at the new establishment.
Required documents
UAN + activated password
RequiredAuthentication credential for the EPFO member portal.
To log into the member portal.
Old Member ID and current Member ID
RequiredIdentifies the source (old) and destination (new) accounts for the transfer.
Both should be visible under your UAN. If the old Member ID isn't visible, request it from previous HR.
Approved KYC
RequiredRequired by EPFO before any online transfer claim can be filed.
Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account — verified and approved by an employer on the portal.
Aadhaar-linked mobile
RequiredOTP authentication to authorise the transfer claim submission.
Used for OTP during the online transfer claim.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Log in to the EPFO Member Portal
Go to unifiedportal-emp.epfindia.gov.in/epfo and sign in with UAN + password.
unifiedportal-emp.epfindia.gov.in ↗ - 2
Verify KYC is approved
Under 'Manage → KYC', confirm that Aadhaar, PAN, and bank are 'Approved'. Without this, the transfer claim cannot be filed.
- 3
Open the One Member-One EPF Account (Transfer) page
Go to 'Online Services → One Member-One EPF Account (Transfer Request)'.
- 4
Verify personal details
Check that your name, DOB, and present employment details are correct.
- 5
Fetch previous account details
The portal lists all Member IDs linked under your UAN. Pick the old Member ID from which you want to transfer.
- 6
Choose attestation employer
Choose either the previous employer OR the current employer to attest the claim. The current employer is usually faster.
- 7
Generate OTP
Generate the OTP, enter it from your Aadhaar-linked mobile, and click Submit. A Tracking ID is generated.
- 8
Wait for employer attestation
The attestation employer receives the claim in their employer portal. Once they approve, EPFO processes the transfer.
- 9
Track the transfer status
Use the 'Track Claim Status' option under Online Services. Once processed, the old PF balance moves into your current Member ID.
Official website
Always confirm critical details here
unifiedportal-emp.epfindia.gov.in
Who issues this?
- Issuing Office
- Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)
- Approving Officer
- PF Commissioner
- For Offline Applications
- Nearest EPFO regional office
What happens after applying
- 1
KYC approved
Confirm that Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account are approved by your current or previous employer on the EPFO portal.
- 2
Transfer claim filed
Submit the online Form 13 OTCP with Aadhaar OTP from the 'One Member-One EPF Account' section of the member portal.
- 3
Employer attestation
The chosen attestation employer (current or previous) approves the claim in their employer portal.
- 4
EPFO processing
EPFO processes the transfer after attestation. The old PF balance moves to the new Member ID.
- 5
Transfer settled
Check the passbook portal — the old balance now appears under your current Member ID.
Common mistakes & rejection reasons
Filing transfer claim before KYC is approved
Why: The EPFO portal blocks transfer claims if Aadhaar, PAN, or bank KYC is in 'Pending' status. The option may not appear at all.
Fix: Ensure all three KYC items are in 'Approved' status under Manage → KYC before attempting the transfer.
Old Member ID not visible under UAN
Why: If the old employer didn't link the Member ID to your UAN, or you had a different UAN at the previous job, the old account won't appear.
Fix: Under 'Manage → One Member-One EPF Account', link the old Member ID using the PF number or Establishment ID provided by your previous employer.
Choosing the wrong attestation employer
Why: If you choose the previous employer for attestation and that employer's HR is unresponsive, the claim stalls indefinitely.
Fix: Always choose the current employer for attestation — they have more incentive to respond promptly.
Withdrawing instead of transferring
Why: Withdrawal triggers TDS, breaks pension service continuity, and resets your EPF contribution history. Many employees withdraw unnecessarily.
Fix: If you have continuing employment, always file a transfer request. Withdraw only when genuinely unemployed for 2+ months.
Not tracking the claim after submission
Why: Claims can get rejected silently if there are data mismatches. Without monitoring, you may assume the transfer succeeded when it hasn't.
Fix: Track the claim status daily after submission using 'Track Claim Status' under Online Services. Rejection reasons are shown and most are correctable.
Missing Aadhaar-linked mobile
Why: The transfer OTP is sent to the mobile linked with your Aadhaar, not just the EPFO registered mobile. If these differ, the OTP doesn't come through.
Fix: Ensure your Aadhaar mobile number is active and accessible. If it has changed, update it at an Aadhaar enrollment centre before filing the transfer.
Special situations
Previous employer has shut down▾
You can still file the transfer using the current employer for attestation. If the old Member ID is not visible, contact EPFO regional office with employment proof.
Multiple old Member IDs across several previous employers▾
You need to file a separate transfer request for each old Member ID. Submit them one at a time and track each separately.
Claim rejected due to name mismatch▾
Name on EPFO records must match Aadhaar exactly. If rejected, correct the name on either Aadhaar (at UIDAI) or EPFO (via employer) and refile.
Transfer pending for more than 30 days▾
Raise a grievance on epfigms.gov.in mentioning the Tracking ID. EPFO is required to process within 20 working days of employer attestation.
Both employer portals inactive (previous and current)▾
In rare cases where attestation cannot proceed online, visit the EPFO regional office with employment documents to request manual processing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does PF transfer take?▾
Once both you and the attestation employer have approved, EPFO usually processes the transfer within 15–30 days.
Can I check the status without logging in?▾
Yes — the 'Know Your Claim Status' page on the EPFO website accepts UAN + Member ID + OTP for status.
Should I transfer or withdraw?▾
If you have continuing employment, always transfer. Withdrawal triggers TDS, ends pension service continuity, and resets your contribution history.
Multiple Member IDs not visible — what do I do?▾
Under 'Manage → One Member-One EPF Account', link the old Member ID using PF number / Establishment ID. Once linked, it shows up in the transfer screen.
Do I need to transfer PF after every job change?▾
Yes, for each old Member ID. EPFO's 'One Member-One EPF Account' initiative requires you to merge old accounts under your current UAN via transfer. Do it within a few months of joining the new job.
Is there a deadline to file a PF transfer?▾
There is no strict statutory deadline, but it is strongly recommended to transfer within 1–2 months of joining the new employer. Very old accounts may require manual processing at the regional office.
Will pension (EPS) be transferred too?▾
Yes. When you file Form 13 OTCP, both the EPF balance and EPS service history are transferred to the new Member ID, preserving your pension service continuity.
What happens to the EPS amount if I have less than 10 years of service?▾
EPS stays in the new Member ID after transfer. You can withdraw it via Form 10C only when you are no longer contributing and have less than 10 years of total EPS service.
Can I transfer PF if I'm currently unemployed?▾
If you are not currently linked to any employer, you won't have a current Member ID to transfer into. Wait until you join a new EPF-covered employer, then file the transfer.
Why is my transfer claim getting rejected?▾
Common rejection reasons: KYC not approved, name mismatch between EPFO and Aadhaar, Member ID not linked under your UAN, or employer failed attestation. Check the rejection reason shown in 'Track Claim Status' and address the specific issue.
Can the previous employer block my PF transfer?▾
No. If you choose the current employer for attestation, the previous employer's cooperation is not needed. Legally, EPFO cannot block a transfer due to employer dispute.
What is Form 13 OTCP?▾
Form 13 is the official PF transfer request form. OTCP stands for Online Transfer Claim Portal. When filed online, it is processed without the need for physical paperwork.
Can I transfer PF on the UMANG app?▾
Some EPFO transfer functions are available on UMANG, but the full One Member-One EPF Account (Form 13 OTCP) flow is best completed on the web-based EPFO member portal.
What if I have 5 old employer Member IDs?▾
File separate transfer requests for each. Start with the oldest and work forward. You can file the next request once the previous transfer is settled.
Does the transfer happen automatically if I give my UAN to the new employer?▾
No. Giving your UAN to the new employer links your new Member ID under the same UAN, but it does not move the old balance. You must file a transfer claim separately.
Official sources
- EPFO Unified Member Portal ↗
unifiedportal-emp.epfindia.gov.in
Where the One Member-One EPF Account (Form 13 OTCP) transfer is filed.
- EPFO Grievance Portal (EPFiGMS) ↗
epfigms.gov.in
For raising complaints when transfer claim stalls or is rejected incorrectly.
- EPFO Official Website ↗
epfindia.gov.in
Regional office contacts and EPFO circulars on PF transfer.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Government portals, document requirements, and fees can change without notice. Always verify the latest requirements on the official website before you apply. Last verified on 21 June 2026.