Membership FAQ
Answers to common questions from members about joining, fees, coverage, verification, and what to do if something goes wrong.
How much does membership cost?
Fees are set per labour corridor and published to you at the point of enrolment through a registered ILSI partner office. ILSI does not publish a single global price because costs and local regulation differ by corridor.
Can I join after I have already left home?
Yes. While joining before departure gives you the full benefit of pre-departure checks, workers already abroad can still enrol through a corridor liaison point and access the helpline, casework and card verification services immediately.
What if I cannot afford membership?
Speak to your nearest ILSI office. Fee structures are set to be accessible within each corridor, and in some corridors, employer or government partnership arrangements reduce or cover the cost for workers.
Does membership guarantee I will not have problems at work?
No. Membership does not prevent every possible problem, but it means that if a problem does happen, you already have a trusted contact who knows your case and can act quickly. See what is covered for full detail.
How do I know my membership card is genuine?
Use our card verification tool or call the helpline listed on emergency helplines.
What happens to my membership if I change employer?
Tell ILSI as soon as possible so your case record and, if needed, your membership tier can be updated — see renewals and terms.
Can my family access support too?
Yes, if you hold Shield Plus or Shield Complete membership. See family resources for what is available and how your family can reach ILSI on your behalf.
What happens to my case if I leave the country suddenly?
Your case does not close simply because you have left. ILSI can continue wage, injury, or fraud casework after you have returned home — see return home for what to do before and after leaving.
Is my information kept confidential?
Yes. Case information is handled under our privacy policy and is only shared with third parties, such as a lawyer or your embassy, with your consent or where your safety requires it.
What if I need help right now?
Go directly to Get Help rather than this FAQ page.
How do I become an ILSI member?
You can join ILSI at a registered partner office in your home district before departure, or in some corridors through our country office once you arrive. Joining involves a short registration form, a copy of your passport and employment contract, and a briefing on what your membership covers. Staff will check your contract for common warning signs, such as unclear wages or missing job details, before you travel. Once registered, you receive a membership card and number you can use to verify your status at any time, plus access to the 24-hour helpline for your destination country from the moment you are enrolled.
How much does ILSI membership cost?
Membership fees are kept low and are set per labour corridor to reflect local costs and the level of legal support typically needed. Fees are published clearly at your registered partner office before you pay anything, and ILSI never charges hidden costs on top of the published fee. In line with the Employer Pays Principle we promote, some employers cover part or all of the membership fee as part of ethical recruitment agreements. If anyone asks you to pay more than the published fee, or asks for payment through an unofficial channel, contact ILSI immediately using our report-a-recruiter form.
What does ILSI membership cover?
Membership covers the full journey: pre-departure orientation and contract review, a 24-hour helpline and legal casework support while you are working overseas, and structured reintegration guidance when you return home. This includes help if you are not paid, if your passport is taken, if you are injured at work, or if you need to return home in an emergency. It does not replace private health or life insurance, and does not guarantee the outcome of a legal case, but it guarantees that you have somewhere to turn and a case worker assigned to help you understand your options at every stage.
Can my family access support if I am an ILSI member?
Yes. Your immediate family — usually a spouse, parents or children listed on your registration — can contact ILSI's Nepal country office or the relevant destination helpline for updates on an active case, and for guidance if they lose contact with you or are worried about your welfare. Family members do not need to pay a separate fee to access this support while you are an active member. We recommend registering at least one family contact number when you join, since this is the number our caseworkers will use if we ever need to reach your household urgently.
How do I renew my membership?
Membership is usually tied to the length of your overseas employment contract. Around one month before your membership is due to expire, you should receive a reminder by SMS or through your registered contact number. You can renew by contacting ILSI's helpline for your destination country or your home partner office, confirming your current contract status, and paying the applicable renewal fee. If your contract has been extended or renewed by your employer, bring a copy of the new contract so our records and your protections stay up to date without any gap in cover.
How can my employer or recruiter verify my ILSI membership card?
Anyone can verify a membership card using the verify-card tool on the ILSI website, by entering the membership number printed on the card. This confirms whether the card is currently active without revealing any of your personal details to the person checking it. If a recruiter or employer claims to be an ILSI-approved agent, you can use the separate verify-agent tool to check this claim before paying any fee or signing any document, since only verified agents are authorised to register new members on ILSI's behalf.
What should I do if my employer takes my passport?
In most countries where ILSI operates, it is illegal or against government guidance for an employer to hold your passport without your free and ongoing consent. If your passport is taken, note down when and by whom, and call the ILSI helpline for your country as soon as it is safe to do so. Our caseworkers will advise on the correct local process for recovering your documents, which may involve a labour department, the police, or your embassy, and will support you through that process. Do not sign anything agreeing to passport retention if you feel pressured to do so.
What if I am injured at work?
Seek medical attention first, and ask for the injury to be recorded by the hospital or clinic and reported to your employer in writing where possible. Then contact the ILSI helpline for your country, ideally within a few days, so a caseworker can help you understand your rights to compensation, medical leave and, if necessary, safe return home. Our legal panel lawyers in your country can advise on making a formal compensation claim if your employer does not respond appropriately. Keep copies of any medical reports, as these are important evidence for any later claim.
What if I lose my job or my contract is cancelled early?
Contact the ILSI helpline for your country as soon as possible. A caseworker will check whether your contract or local law entitles you to notice, unpaid wages, or a return air ticket, and will help you understand your options, including whether transferring your sponsorship to another employer is possible in your country of employment. ILSI can also help arrange a safe return home if that is the right option for you, and will connect you with our reintegration programme so you have support planning your next steps once you are back in Nepal.
How do I contact ILSI while I am working overseas?
Every member is given the helpline number for their country of employment at the time they join, and this number is also published on the ILSI website's emergency helplines page. The helpline operates 24 hours a day, and calls are answered in your language wherever possible. If you cannot call, you can also message ILSI's official channels listed on our website — always double check you are using an official ILSI number, since scam messages sometimes impersonate our helpline.
What documents do I need to join ILSI?
You will generally need a valid passport, your signed employment contract or job offer letter, and, where available, your recruitment agency's registration details. If you already have a medical certificate or visa approval, bring these too, as they help our staff check your paperwork is consistent and complete. If you are missing a document, tell staff at your partner office honestly — they can often advise on how to obtain it, and this is far safer than proceeding with incomplete or altered paperwork.
Can I join ILSI if I have already left for overseas employment?
Yes. While we strongly encourage joining before departure, when the greatest protection comes from checking your contract in advance, workers already overseas can still register as ILSI members through the helpline for their country of employment. You will be asked for the same basic documents where you can access them, and a caseworker will talk through what protection is available to you from the point you join onward. Joining later means we cannot review your original contract before you signed it, so review it with us as soon as you register.