Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana
₹10 lakh accident cover · Indian emigrant workers abroad
Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana is a mandatory insurance scheme for Indian workers in the ECR (Emigration Check Required) category going abroad for employment, providing comprehensive accident, medical, and repatriation coverage. It covers accidental death or permanent disability up to ₹10 lakh, hospitalisation up to ₹1 lakh, and family hospitalisation in India up to ₹50,000. Purchase the policy online through IFFCO-TOKIO or Oriental Insurance before travelling.
About This Scheme
Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana is a mandatory insurance scheme for Indian workers in the ECR (Emigration Check Required) category going abroad for employment, providing comprehensive accident, medical, and repatriation coverage. It covers accidental death or permanent disability up to ₹10 lakh, hospitalisation up to ₹1 lakh, and family hospitalisation in India up to ₹50,000. Purchase the policy online through IFFCO-TOKIO or Oriental Insurance before travelling.
Full official description
A mandatory insurance scheme by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for safeguarding the interests of Indian emigrant workers falling under Emigration Check Required (ECR) category going for overseas employment to ECR countries. PBBY also includes global insurance coverage irrespective of employer and location, has facility for online renewal and a simplified process for certification of accidental death / permanent disability. The scheme is now more beneficial for emigrant workers and is aimed at ensuring an expeditious settlement of claims.
Benefits
- ₹10,00,000 cover for accidental death or permanent disability leading to job loss abroad
- Medical insurance up to ₹1,00,000 for injuries, sickness, or disease (up to ₹50,000 per hospitalization)
- Repatriation to India covered if medically unfit or employment is prematurely terminated (economy class airfare)
- Family hospitalization in India: up to ₹50,000 for spouse and first two children (up to age 21)
- Maternity expenses for women emigrants up to ₹50,000
- Legal expense reimbursement for overseas employment disputes up to ₹45,000
- Return economy class airfare for one attendant in case of emigrant's accidental death or permanent disability
💡 Why Startups Should Care
For workers heading abroad for employment — including those planning to eventually return and start a business with savings — this mandatory insurance protects their family's financial security regardless of which country or employer they work for.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be an Indian citizen cleared for emigration (ECR category worker)
- Must be aged between 18 and 65 years (subject to emigration clearance)
- Coverage applies globally regardless of employer or work location abroad
Exclusions
NA
How to Apply
- Purchase PBBY online through insurers like IFFCO-TOKIO or Oriental Insurance during your emigration clearance process.
- Coverage activates for your overseas employment period.
- In case of accidental death, the nominee files a claim with police report and post-mortem report.
- Attach certification from the concerned Indian Embassy.
- Claim is processed and disbursed to the nominee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hospitalization benefit also available for children?
Yes, the family hospitalization (in India) is available for the first two children up to 21 years of age.
Do I need to visit the Indian Mission in order to renew the insurance policy?
No, the scheme has provision for online renewal of the PBBY policy.
Are there any facilities for pregnant woman emigrant?
Yes, maternity expenses benefit up to [?]50,000/- is available for women emigrants.
What benefits can a PwD emigrant avail under PBBY?
A PwD emigrant can avail the following benefits under PBBY:
Reimbursement of return economy class air fare to the nearest international airport to one attendant in case of emigrant's permanent disability.
The Insured person shall be covered for a sum of [?]10 Lakh in the event of permanent disability leading to loss of employment while in employment abroad, irrespective of change of employer/location of insured person.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Police report confirming accidental death
- Post-mortem report
- Certificate/report from concerned Indian Embassy