PF Transfer Online: How to Transfer EPF to New Employer

What is PF Transfer?

When you change jobs, your Employee Provident Fund (EPF) account with the previous employer needs to be transferred to your new employer's EPF account. This process merges your old PF balance into the new account, ensuring continuous service records and uninterrupted interest accumulation.

Since both accounts are linked through your UAN (Universal Account Number), the transfer process is now fully online through the EPFO Unified Portal using Form 13 (Transfer Claim).

Who is Eligible?

• Any EPF member who has changed employers and has a UAN
• Both old and new employer must be registered with EPFO
• Your UAN must be activated and linked to Aadhaar
• KYC details (Aadhaar, PAN, bank account) must be verified on the unified portal

Important: If your UAN is the same across both jobs (which it should be), the transfer is straightforward. If you have two different UANs, you need to first merge them by contacting EPFO.

Documents Required

No physical documents are needed for the online process. However, ensure the following are updated on your UAN profile:

• Aadhaar number — linked and verified
• PAN number — linked and verified
• Bank account details — verified with IFSC code
• Previous employer's establishment code — available on old salary slips or Form 5A
• New employer's establishment code — available from new employer's HR

Step-by-Step Process (Online)

Step 1: Log in to EPFO Unified Portal

1. Go to unifiedportal-mem.epfindia.gov.in
2. Log in with your UAN and password
3. If you haven't activated your UAN, click "Activate UAN" first

Step 2: Check KYC Status

1. Go to "Manage" → "KYC"
2. Ensure Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account show "Verified" status
3. If not verified, update and wait for employer approval (1-3 days)

Step 3: Initiate Transfer Request (Form 13)

1. Go to "Online Services" → "One Member – One EPF Account (Transfer Request)"
2. You'll see your current and previous member IDs listed
3. Verify your personal details — name, date of birth, date of joining

Step 4: Select Transfer Method

1. Choose whether to get the claim attested by the previous employer or the current employer
   • Recommended: Select current employer (faster, as they are more likely to respond quickly)
2. Select the previous member ID (old PF account) you want to transfer from

Step 5: Submit the Claim

1. Click "Get OTP" — an OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number
2. Enter the OTP and click "Submit"
3. You'll receive a tracking ID for the transfer request

Step 6: Employer Approval

1. The selected employer (previous or current) receives the request on their EPFO employer portal
2. The employer must approve the transfer digitally
3. After employer approval, EPFO processes the transfer

Step 7: Track Transfer Status

1. Go to "Online Services" → "Track Claim Status"
2. Enter your member ID or tracking ID
3. Check the status — it moves through: Submitted → Employer Approved → Under Process → Settled

Offline Process (Alternative)

If the online method doesn't work:

1. Download Form 13 from epfindia.gov.in
2. Fill in details of both old and new PF accounts
3. Get it attested by your current employer
4. Submit to the EPFO regional office that handles your new employer's account
5. Processing takes 30-45 days for offline claims

Fees

There are no charges for transferring your PF. Any intermediary claiming fees for this service is unauthorized.

Processing Time

Tip: The biggest delay is usually employer approval. Follow up with your HR if the employer hasn't approved within a week.

Important Tips

1. Always use the same UAN when joining a new company — give your UAN to the new employer's HR during onboarding
2. Transfer promptly — don't leave old PF accounts dormant; after 36 months of inactivity, interest stops accruing on inoperative accounts
3. Check your passbook after transfer — ensure the old balance reflects in the new account within a month of settlement
4. Keep Aadhaar-linked mobile active — OTP is sent to the Aadhaar-registered number, not the number on the EPFO portal
5. Raise a grievance if transfer is stuck — use epfigms.gov.in for complaints

FAQs

Q1: Can I transfer PF online without employer approval?

No. Either the previous or current employer must approve the transfer request digitally. However, if the employer doesn't respond within 10 days, you can escalate via the EPFO grievance portal.

Q2: What happens if I don't transfer my PF to the new employer?

Your old PF account becomes inoperative after 36 months of no contributions. Interest stops accruing on inoperative accounts. The money remains safe but doesn't grow.

Q3: Can I transfer PF if my name doesn't match between old and new accounts?

Name mismatch is a common issue. You need to first correct the name in either the old or new account through your employer and EPFO. Joint declaration (Form 11) or employer correction is required.

Q4: How do I check if my PF transfer is complete?

Log in to the unified portal → "Online Services" → "Track Claim Status". You can also check your passbook — the transferred amount will appear as a credit entry.

Q5: Can I transfer PF from an exempted trust to EPFO?

Yes, but the process is different. You'll need to submit a physical Form 13 along with a transfer-out letter from the exempted trust. Contact EPFO regional office for assistance.

Q6: What is the maximum time for PF transfer?

EPFO guidelines state 20 working days from the date of employer approval. If it exceeds this, file a complaint on epfigms.gov.in.

Q7: Is there any tax on PF transfer?

No. PF transfer between EPF accounts is not taxable. Tax applies only on premature PF withdrawal (before 5 years of continuous service).

This guide is for informational purposes only. CitizenNest is not affiliated with EPFO or the Government of India. Always verify details on the official EPFO portal before proceeding.