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, Do I need a ECNR stamp to visit Colombo on official tour for 5 days?
@Sukhesh
ECNR is not required for Colombo for any type of tour.
Hi..
While applying for passport i gave ECNR but in the passport i got ECR stamp .
Now what should i do if i want ECNR .
Should i go to POE or Regional Passport office in Hyderabad .
Please will be waiting for your reply .
@Mohammad
You can go to RPO Hyderabad regarding ECNR stamping with all required forms and supportive documents.
I have visit visa of dubai now is it necesary that i must have clearance of ECR .
And can i do ECR suspension ?
If yes then what are the documents to be taken and where should i go either to RPO or POE ?
@MohammadMaqsood
If you are not going for employment, you don’t need ECNR stamping.
What is this ECR suspension . . ?
@MMA
Getting passport stamped with ECNR stamp, is ECR suspension.
I am working in Dubai from last 3.5 years. I am planning to bring my wife here as house wife for 1 – 2 months. She got passport from pune with ECR. She is 10th fail.
what should I do for this?
How can I get ECNR for my wife?
Is there any other way to get ECNR for temporarely?
What all docs required for this?
@Ravi
ECNR is only required if one is going for employment. As your wife won’t be doing job there, she does not need ECNR.
I am staying in Gulf for the last 2.5 years and now I would like to bring my wife and make RP (Residence Permit) and her passport bears ECR. I am MBA and she does not have any Original certificates with her. ONly election card/ration card available. Pls advise what are the docs required for clearing the ECR or without clearing the same she can get RP. Awaiting your valued advise.
regards
@Pushpak
As your wife is coming on dependant visa and not for employment, she does not need ECNR stamping.
Hi Pankaj,
I have a ECR stamp on my passport. and next month, i am planning to visit Jordan for tourism purposes. do i need ECR clearence?
@Nik
For tourism purpose, ECNR is not required. So you may visit Jordan without any issue. Enjoy your tour.
Thanks Pankaj for your prompt reply. i was just curious as Jordan is listed among the few countries wherein ECR stamp is required. i am aware that the stamp is required only if u r going for employment purposes but in case of Jordan, i wont be having a visa here; it’s visa on arrival. so do u think i might just have to get a ECR clearence before I leave from the POE office in Santacruz Mumbai? Pls advice.
@NikMenon
I don’t think that should be an issue, if you have return tickets.
Hi Pankaj. I have a dubai issued passport that says ” ECNR NOT REQUIRED UNTIL THE DEPENDANT MINOR TURNS 24 YEARS”..ive been in india for the last 7 years and just turned 25 in march..im planning to visit Dubai on a visit visa soon for 7 days..Do i need the ECNR stamp in my passport before i travel to Dubai??
@Navin
For Visit visa, ECNR is not required.
I have a ECR stamp on my passport. I’m a freelance graphic artist I’m not completed my academic studies if i get a employment visa in Dubai “ECR” will be an issue for me what can i do ?
@Naaj
You can get ECNR on basis of PAN card, 10th class certificate also.
Hi i applied UAE tourist visa for my mother in law ,in her PP ECR is there ,ther is any problem for her to fly to sharjha?and she is coming on monday morning(17/05/2010), can you replay fast pls.
@Balaji
For Tourist visa, ECNR is not required. She may visit UAE without any issue.
Hi I am applying for B1 visa for Brazil next week.. My passport has ECR stamp although I am graduate.. Do i need to apply for ECNR? If yes, How much time it will take to get ECNR stamp.. I am running out of time.. Please suggest !
@Lalit
For Brazil, ECNR is not a requirement so you may visit that without any tension of emigration clearance.
Hi Pankaj,
You r really doing a gr8 Job by posting replies for all the clarifications regarding ECNR stamping on passport.However, I do also have a query to ask to u..Hoping it’s not so complicated and u “ll reply it J
I do have a Passport whose date of issue is Oct 2006 and is issued from bhubaneshwar (Orissa)and it does not have any stamps on the 2nd page (Neither ECR nor ECNR) that means the page is all blank. I currently stay in Pune ( Maharashtra) Now my Question is as my Husband who often travels to Hongkong wants some time or the other to accompany him for visiting Hongkong may be for a week or two..
1.So,will it be required for me to get an ECNR stamp?
2.If I visit Singapore ,Thailand also, will it be required then ??
3. If the case is I want to permanently move out with him and if I look for an employment there , will it then be required an ECNR stamp on my passport??
And if at all ECNR stamp is required as my issuing office of passport is in Orissa so do I have to go back to Bhubaneshwar and complete the formalities or will it be ok if I visit Pune Passport office and do the formalities..?I am really unaware of how the things work in Passport offices..? what forms to fill and what all documents required for it..???
Please do answer my Queries….
@Shweta
Thanks for writing in.
First of all, your passport is with ECNR by default. If nothing is there, its ECNR.
Secondly, for visit to HongKong or any country (Singapore, Thailand) for non-employment purposes, ECNR is not required. I myself have visited Hongkong, Singapore and Malaysia with a ECR stamping.
Third, ECNR will be required if someone with ECR stamping goes for employment in countries mentioned below:
United Arab Emirates (UAE), The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Malaysia, Libya, Jordan, Yemen, Sudan, Brunei, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Syria, Lebanon, Thailand, Iraq (emigration banned).
i’m 10th failed. i have a ECR stamp on my passport. can i get ENCR with my 10th certificate… I have Aptech certified computer professional certificate and is it useful for this ??
@Ranjith
You can get ECNR if you are a tax payer or a PAN card holder too.
Hi, I am traveling to Malaysia & Singapore with family and parent in June. Some of us have ECNR and some have ECR printed on the passport. My agent told me that ECNR is not reqd for both the countries. But will; I face any problem at airport or in the above countries due to this stamping and shd I still get the ECNR thing done? I am traveling from Mumbai Airport.
@AmberVerma
For travel visa, ECNR is not required. There won’t be any issue in traveling to Malaysia and Singapore.
I also have ECR in my passport and have traveled to both these countries in last 2 years.
Have a nice trip.
Hi, Thanks very much for reply. So no one at airport will trouble me? Should I carry IT copies just in case? and my kid who have ecr but are in school, there will be no trouble right?
Also – I m going from KL to Singapore in this trip so at KL/Spore airports also it wld be ok..? Kindly tell pls.
@AmberVerma
There won’t be any issue at India airport while leaving.
Other countries have nothing to do with ECNR stamping, its an Indian emigration requirement, So there cannot be any issue at other country’s airport for ECNR.
Hi,
If I have an ECNR on my passport and I am taking up employment in UAE as a general worker (labour), is Emigration clearance required to be taken from POE?
@Deepak
If you already have ECNR stamp then there should not be any issue in traveling to UAE for employment.
Hi, That was a real quick reply. The fastest that I have come across any forums to date. Thanks a lot for that. Anyways, you mean to say that if I have ECNR on my passport I can go and work in UAE as a labourer without needing any further clearance? I am told that whoever goes on labour levels need to get clearance from POE even if they have an ECNR on their passports..
Hope you will clear my doubts 100% this time and thanks in advance.
Deepak
@Deepak
Clearance from POE was required in case you had a passport with ECR (Emigration Check required). But as you already have a passport with ECNR, this is not required. Read this link for more details: http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in/ECNR_ECR_POE.htm
Hi, I would like to know how long does it take to get an ECNR status once the paperwork is submitted, approximately, and is there anything we can do to speed up the process?
Thanks
Alia
@Alia
ECNR stamping will take 2-10 days depending on residence. If you live in same city as passport office, you will get the passport same day or maximum in 2-3 days. In case of outstation it will sent by speed post and may take upto 10 days.
Please take along two self attested copies of all documents such as residence proof, employer certificate, education certificate(10th, 12th, degree), copies of passport (first four, last four pages) and PAN card. Visit passport office early morning.
ihave a permanent visa for dubai
do i need ecr to go to dubai
@Shazia
For visiting Dubai for employment purpose, ECNR stamping is required on passport.
HI,
Thanks for quick respond for all quiries.
I have passport with ECR Stamp i dont have ECNR. But i need to travel Saudia and Dubai through my company. Is it possible to travel with business visa without ECNR stamp.
@Ram
For visiting Saudi and Dubai for employment purpose, ECNR stamping is required on passport.
DEAR PANKAJ BRO.
MY SELF MOHAMED IMRAN, FROM SURAT, I WANT 2 KNOW ABOUT BAHRAIN WORK VISA. I WAS APPLIED WORK VISA. BY MY FRIEND. WHO IS IN BAHRAIN. BUT LMRA BAHRAIN IS REJECT MY VISA AND NOW STATUS IS DISPLAYING “APPLICATION FAILED IMMIGRATION CHECK” WHAT DOSE IT MEANS? I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND. BECOZ I HAVE PP WITH ECNR. MY PP IS NOT STAMPED ANY ECR OR ECNR IN PP BOOKLET. SO, PLEASE PANKAJ GIVE INFO ABOUT BAHRAIN IMMIGRATION RULES. WHAT THEY NEED. N WHY THEY PUT THAT MASSAGE ON MY APPLICATION. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.
THANKS WITH REGARDS,
MOHAMED IMRAN
@MohamedImran
Bahrain visa has nothing to do with Indian policy of ECNR/ECR stamping. You may consult any visa agent regarding this information.
I have a passport without any stamping. The passport was issued in May 2010. I am being sponsorted by my company to go to UK to their client company. Should I specifically get my passport endorsed for ECNR.
@Siva
First, For UK, ECNR is not a requirement.
Second, Your passport does not need ECNR as its already with ECNR status (new passports are coming by default with ECNR)
My older passport had ECNR stamped. My new passpoert has ECR crossed and ECNR ticked with a green pen. and the stamp of the officer. what is my status.
I am going to thailand for tourism.
@NiteshJain
You must go to RPO and ask for ECNR stamping as they did mistake by not making it ECNR.
Moreover, Visiting Thailand does not require ECNR, so you need to worry about stamping in this trip.
hi pankaj,,,i want 2 ask u something that my visa came for U.A.E and they want that i should complete my immigration problem bcoz in my passport ecnr are required now 2 do plz help
@Shahnawaz
For going to UAE for employment, you need ECNR stamping in passport.
If its not there, there might be issues while leaving for UAE.
hi….
I am staying in Bahrain and now I would like to bring my wife and child Family visa now i goted family visa (Residence Permit) and her passport bears ECR. she does not have any Original certificates with her. Pls advise what are the does required for clearing the ECR or without clearing the same she can get RP. Awaiting your Reply.
@Mohammad
For dependant visa, ECNR is not required. Its only required in case one is going for employment.
Dear pankaj,
my friend has got employed at oman and he has nothing printed on the 2nd page of the passport.pls advice does he need a ECNR stamped?
@Alex
If nothing is printed on 2nd page, that means the passport is already with ECNR and nothing more needs to be done.
ok thanks,
but i think his employer had mentioned him to get the ECNR stamped before travelling .Ru sure he will not need one.moreover i think he is not passed 10 std.pls advice
@Alex
ECNR is only needed in case of some countries for going on employment visa.
All newly issued passport are coming with default ECNR (no stamping means ECNR)
Dear Pankaj
I am working in Doha Qatar and came to know that for applying Visit visa for spouse also now attested marriage certificate is required. Earlier it was there but we could get it attested by Embassy in Qatar but now they require it to be attested in India-New Delhi as per the new Minister’s directive. Earlier we have to submit the Original as well as photocopy alongwith a fee of QR 50 to embassy in Qatar and now we have to spend Min 500 QR and can be done through agent only from India. Is it true??? If this is true why we need a Embassy in Dubai for INdians. India govt need only money of Indians and does not like to give any sort of help to them.. You can see that world is advancing and everywhere process is implemented to ease the problems but in this case it is a corruptive practice to get more money by Agents and by appointing Private agent the conccerned Minister will get share from them.
Pls do reply and publish in more media so that such type of useless changes may be exploited.
regards
@Pushpak
I don’t have much idea about this. It will be better if you can contact Bureau of Immigration, India (Ministry of Home Affairs). You may see their contact details here : http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in/
hi….
I am staying in Kuwait and now I would like to bring my wife and child Family visa in family visa (Residence Permit) and her passport bears ECR. Please advise my wife & son can travel to Kuwait.
@Sam
ECNR is only required if one is going for employment. So your wife and son won’t be requiring that.
Thanks for your quick response. Both are traveling to kuwait first time on family visa, so they will not any problem during departure from Bangalore Int’l Airport. please advise
@Sam
There should not be any issue while departure from B’lore.
Thanks for your kind reply.
Hi PAnkaj,
I have an employment visa for Dubai…I need to go to get the temporary ECNR done from POE in delhi…just wanted to confirm if i need to show a return ticket or one way ticket…also what aother documents are needed???? And if all my documents are in order I hope they don’t create any problems to give the ECNR stamp…
@Payal
Please go with your educational certificates, employer certificate, address proof and PAN card with 2 photo copies.