Emigration check not required (ECNR) stamp is not required, if one is not travelling for employment purposes.
The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (Emigration Policy Division) have allowed ECR passport holders travelling abroad for purposes others than employment to leave the country on production of valid passport, valid visa and return ticket at the immigration counters at international airports in India w.e.f. 1st October 2007.
ECNR is only required if you are travelling to any of the below 17 countries for employment:
United Arab Emirates (UAE), The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Malaysia, Libya, Jordan, Yemen, Sudan, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Syria, Lebanon, Thailand and Iraq.
For all passports issued before January 2007, a blank second page in the passport means your passport is endorsed with ECR and you need to get emigration clearance if you are travelling to any of the above 18 countries for employment.
For all passports issued after January 2007, a “Blank” page 2 on your passport is deemed to have been ECNR endorsed. If you don’t fit into ECNR eligibility criteria, and Emigration Check is Required, there will be an endorsement in the passport regarding ECR.
Emigration clearance required (ECR)
Eligibility for ECNR status:
The following applicants are eligible for Emigration Check Not Required (ECNR) status:
- Gazetted Government servants, their spouses and dependent children
- Holders of Diplomatic/official Passports
- Persons having educational qualifications of matriculation and above
- Persons above the age of 50 years
- Children up to the age of 18 years. (For re-issue of passport, after they attain the age of 18 years, documents to proof their non-ECR category has to be submitted, else ECR stamping will be done)
- Income-Tax payers (including Agricultural Income-Tax payees) in their individual capacity, their spouses and dependent children below the age 18 years.
- Persons possessing two years diploma from any institute recognized by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) or State Council of Vocational Training (SCVT), or persons holding three years diploma/equivalent degree from institutions, such as Polytechnics recognized by the Central/State Governments of India
- Nurses possessing qualifications recognized under the Indian Nursing Council Act. 1947
- All professional Degree holders , their spouses and dependent children. Examples of professional degree holders are Doctors holding MBBS degree or equivalent degree in AYURVED or HOMEOPATHY, accredited Journalists, Engineers, Chartered Accountants, Cost Accountants, Lecturers, Teachers, Scientists, Advocates, etc
- All persons who have been staying abroad for more than three years (the period of three years could be either in one stretch or broken) and their spouses
- Seamen who are in possession of Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC), or Sea Cadets and Deck Cadets
a. who have passed the final examination of three years B.Sc. Nautical Sciences courses at T.S. Chanakya, Mumbai and b. who have undergone three months pre-sea training at any of the Government approved training institutes, such as T.S. Chanakya, T.S. Rehman, T.S. Jawahar, MTI (SCI) and NIPM, CHENNAI, after production of identity cards issued by the Shipping Master at Mumbai/Kolkata/Chennai - Persons holding Permanent Immigration Visa, such as the visas of UK, USA and Australia.
How to apply for ECNR stamping
If and only if you are travelling to any of the below countries for employment, you need to get ECNR stamp, if you does not have already:
United Arab Emirates (UAE), The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Malaysia, Libya, Jordan, Yemen, Sudan, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Syria, Lebanon, Thailand and Iraq.
You have either to get the entire ECR stamp deleted, or if your are not eligible (categories listed above), you may get a temporary Emigration Suspension before leaving India. If the applicant does not have Non-ECR status then All such ECR passport holders need to obtain Emigration Clearance Certificate from the Protector-General of Emigrants, Ministry of Overseas India Affairs.
Documents required for ECNR (non-ECR) status:
All eligibility documents list can be seen here: Non-ECR documents list
Protector of Emigrants (PoE) offices for Emigration clearance:
The POE offices in India are situated at the following places:
- Protector of Emigrant office New Delhi
Jaisalmar House, Canteen Block, Man Singh Road,
New Delhi
Tel No. 011-2338 2472 - Protector of Emigrant office Mumbai
Building “E” Khira Nagar, S.V. Road, Santacruz (West),
Mumbai-400 054
Tel No. 022-2614 7393 - Protector of Emigrant office Kolkata
Room No. 116 A Wing, 3rd MSO Building, DF Block,
Salt Lake, Kolkata-700 064
Tel No. 033-2334 3407 - Protector of Emigrant office Chennai
Tamil Nadu Housing Board Complex, Ashok Nagar,
Chennai-600 083
Tel No. 044-2489 1337 - Protector of Emigrant office Hyderabad
8th Floor, Chandra Vihar Complex, Opp. Exhibition Ground,
M.J. Road, Hyderabad. - Protector of Emigrant office Trivandrum
Suganth, 24/846 (I), Thycaud,
Trivandrum-695 014
Tel No. 0471-2324835 - Protector of Emigrant office Chandigarh
Kendriya Sadan, 5th Block, Ground Floor,
Sector-9-A, Chandigarh
Tel No. 0172-2741790 - Protector of Emigrant office Cochin
3RD Floor Putherickal Building, Market Road, Ernakulam.
Kerala – 682035
Tel. No. 0484-2360187 - Protector of Emigrant office Jaipur
Hall No.3, RIICO CFC Building, Sitapura Industrial Area, Sitapura,
Jaipur-302022
Documents required for emigration clearance at PoE office:
- Passport (valid at least for six months)
- Valid Employment Visa
- Contract Duly Signed by Foreign Employer
- Valid Pravasi Bhartiya Bima Policy 2006
- Affidavit from Candidate Declaring Genuineness of Documents
Hi Pradeep,
As you are going to Saudi Arabia for employment, you require ECNT stamp on your passport. please get it stamped before leaving to sa.
– Pankaj
Hi Pankaj,
I had my passport issued from Patna with an ECR stamped on it. I have been offerred an employment in Dubai for which i need to get ECNR done
1) I stay in Mumbai. Can i get the ECNR done at the Mumbai passport office (Or is it the Protector of Emigrants office i need to go to?)
2)What is the process like and how much time does it take? (I have all my certificates with me)
Thanks in advance for all your help on this
Hi Ranjan,
Yes, you can get ECNR issued from Mumbai. But make sure you go with all documents like employer certificate in mumbai on their letter pad, employee card if any, residence proof, 10th certificate, degree certificate etc. Try to keep as as many proofs you have which prove your mumbai residence.
usually the passport is stamped on same day. You go early morning and can collect back passport in evening.
– Pankaj Batra
I want ECNR stamp on my passport as i would be going to kuwait how many days of time does it take? And which office does this ECNR stamp would be put up could i have the complete address pls guide me?
Thanks in advance for giving me your kind response
Hi Shona,
Yes, you can get ECNR issued from any of the passport office nearer to you. But make sure you go with all documents like employer certificate, residence proof, 10th certificate, degree certificate etc. Try to keep as as many proofs you have which prove your residence.
usually the passport is stamped on same day. You go early morning and can collect back passport in evening.
Hi Pankaj,
Your blog really cleared my doubt regarding ECR/ECNR, thank you so much.
My passport has expired i was going to re-issue it again so in the form should write ‘yes’ or ‘no’ for ECNR coz i m planning to go gulf in future like after a few yrs so should write ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
And yea when filling the passport application form, you are not supposed to leave out blanks so i should write ‘Not Applicable’ where ever i dont need to answer.
Actually i m filling the passport form for the 1st time so dont want to make any mistakes and get fined. I read the guidelines for filling the form but they are not very clear, so will appreciate your help for filling the form.
Thank you.
You should write Yes in ECNR stamp required field.
It will be done without any issue as requirement for ECNR is now 10th class.
Hi Pankaj,
I have applied for ECNR stamp and i’m a Post Graduate travelling to Bahrain on Visit Visa(Already travelled many times but after renewal of my passport It stated ECNR required).
*I have applied for ECNR on Tuesday(6.May.2008) and my travel is on Friday(9.May.2008) but the stamping process has not been completed yet……..
The officials in the Passport office said it will take 7 to 15 days before this could be done. I have already paid about Rs.1500(asking for more) to an agent who just proved to be an asshole(Sorry to use these terms).
Now, i have cancelled my ticket to Bahrain and have no clue when to book again. My vaccation is coming to an end but the pain seems to go on and on….
Please help me out.I’m running in every possible direction but times running out.
Sorry to say but Hyderabad’s Passport offficials are also a big pain who are arrogant(They are officers who bad mouth) and give least information.
Please give some information. Really counting on you.
Generally Its done on the same day.
In Delhi office, its like this only. If things are not working out, you may contact Public Grievance Officer at Hyd passport office.
Here is the detail:
http://www.ap.nic.in/passport/PubGrie.htm
Thanks Pankaj,
Got to know that my Passport has been dispatched for Post Office on 9.May.2008…….
I may get my passport by 12.May.2008
Thanks 4 the information it really helped.
Cya next time…….Bye
hai..
i dont have anything print on my 2 nd page of my passport…I’m BE graduate….
Does that mean ECNR by default….
passport was issued on may 2008…
Will there be a problem in visa…
can i work with this in US
Hi Shyamala,
If their is nothing printed on 2nd page of passport, Its already with ECNR.
Moreover, as the passport was issued in May, 2008 it will be with ECNR as per new regulations which makes even a 10th pass person eligible for ECNR.
There won’t be any problem in visa.
Also for US, ECNR or ECR does not matter.
-Pankaj
hi iam flying to kenya in june 08 for a visit of 2 months is ecr required for me.
my passport was issued in year 2001 and it states ecr required is it done on port.
i dont have visa too(i have only an confirmed air ticket to fly nairobi, kenya sent by my friend)
my friend residing in kenya says u can get visa form filled up on kenya airport too.
pls guide me for this
Good Going Pankaj!
Youve got real good patience. The same questions over and over again.
Couldnt help but appreciate it.
Cheers !
Thanks Rahul
Hi Pankaj
thanks for all ur info.
I got my passport issued in November 2007.
It don’t have any stamp on 2nd Page.
I am a graduate.
I need to go to Saudi countries (UAE and gulf) for employment.
Do I need to get ECNR stamp on my passport ?
By default, if nothing is there on 2nd page, its already with ECNR for all new passports.
However, as gulf countries are a part of 18 countries that need ECNR you should better consult from UAE embassy if any stamping is required.
Thanks Pankaj
Hi Pankaj,
I have been issued my passport on July 2006.
My Password does not have any ECNR stamp.
Now, I will be travelling to US on behalf of some company’s business comittments on a business visa.
Will I need ECNR stamp to have a hassle-free journey?
Hi Ayan,
For US, ECNR is not required. You may travel to US without any doubt in your mind.