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
Dear Pankaj Ji,
Thank you for your reply.
Now, I am in Bahrain. I would like to visit India and get ECNR stamped. But, I have only 1 week time. Is it possible to get it stamped frm POE, as I already exited India without ECNR or any kind of clearence.
When enquired with PassPort agents, They say it my take more than 1 week – 15 day. In such cases, what I need to do to obtain, the ECNR status in couple of days.
Thank You
regards
Vishal N
@Vishal
In some cases, it has taken even more than 15 days. But that depends on your residential address.
If you live in same city as passport office, you may request them to handover passport same day. If you go early in morning, they can deliver by evening.
But that depends on them, if they agree. Otherwise they will send by registered post, which may reach you on 3-15 days depending on your correspondence address.
Hello Pankaj Ji,
Thank you for your reply.
I reside in the same city and location where , Passport office is. but, then I have a older Address mentoned on my passport and presently I am resideing at a different residence. Does, it effect in any ways .
Thank you,
Regards
Vishal N
@Vishal
Yes, that can impact. In that case you should carry new address proofs as well.
Dear Pankaj Ji,
In my case, Can the POE give me a Clerance to fly back to work place. Without the actual ECNR stamped.
Since, I have Valid Visa and Residence permit. Can POE give me ECR supension. I have not taken a Clearence certificate earlier while I was flying to Dubai.
I came here on a Visit Visa, frm here I was transfered to Bahrain on a work permit.
In such cases, Can POE have the auority to issue. ECNR suspension so that I can fly back to work place Bahrain .
regards
Vishal N
@Vishal
Yes, you can get emigration clearance from POE on same day. But I am not sure whether our office babus will do it happily.
In that case if it does not work, you will have to go through any visa agent (which have links in POE offices, corruption here too, read here for details: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Emigration-office-under-CBI-scanner/articleshow/5665258.cms)
Hello Pankaj Ji,
Thank you for your continual support.
My friends approched, the POE hyderabad. with all documents like – Passport copy with my Visa and residence permit – my LMRA status and work permit. The official here asking about – My orginal work permit with Indian Emnassy attestation. Then they approched a Borker. who advised them not to take a Clerence frm here. Its better to get it done from Passport Office. Since, Passport agents are not clear when will I get back my passport. I am dropping of my plans to go to India.
Thank you, once agin for all the support and posting encourgaing information for peopke like me around.
All the best,
Have a nice time
regards
Vishal N
I am staying in thane district & i had got offer for Oman for employement. How should i know my ENCR status / eliglibelity for flying me to Oman?
@Ganesh
In case your passport does have ECR mentioned specifically, then you will have to get ECNR stamping from nearest passport office.
If not, What should i do for the clearence.
dear pankaj ji,
im visiting Egypt as a tourist in JAN2011. I have ECR printed on my passport.
Do i need ECNR stamp?
please reply
thank you
@Ram
For Visiting Egypt, ECNR is not required.
Enjoy your tour.
Thanks a lot for immediate reply..
Keep up your good work
hi .i am working in U.A.E and i want to bring my mom to UAE on 3 month visit visa.my mom carry ECR stamp on her passport .so let me know wheter i can bring her to UAE with this status or i need to apply for ECNR first and than bring her.
@Akbar
For visit visa, ECNR is not required, So she can travel without any issue.
Dear Pankaji,
I got a job at Dubai in telecom Sector. Do i require a ECR Stamp?
Please reply waiting for your kind response.
thanks n regards,
Shahzeb Ali
@Shahzeb
If your passport has ECR stamp, then you will need to get ECNR as its required if you are going to Dubai on work visa.
Dear Pankaj-ji,
My domestic worker has been in Bahrain for 15 months. She has a residence permit for Bahrain till Sept 2011. She wants to visit her family in Amritsar for 3 weeks. Her passport has ECR stamp and when she does not have POE endorsement when she left India as she had originally travelled on visit visa. She does not have 10th pass certificate. I have three questions:
(1) Does the lack of POE endorsement on her previous exit cause any problems when she returns to India
(2) Will she be allowed to return and resume her duties in Bahrain since she already has a resident visa for Bahrain? Does she need to get any POE clearances or can she simply exit via the airport immigration?
@Souman
1. There should not be any issue while return.
2. She might face issues while exiting India as she is going for employment but does not have ECNR stamping. Its better to get ECNR stamping done or get POE clearances.
Hi sir,
My mom has a ECR stamp on her passport and my father has sent a residence visa to her . Can she travel without clearance of ECR or should we have to clear the ECR stamp ?
Please help me out as soon as possible i have less time please .
Thanking You .
@Maq
As your mom is not going for employment, she does not require ECNR stamping.
She may travel without any issue.
Does she require to have a return ticket with her .?
@Maq
As she has residence visa, I don’t think, return tickets are required.
Dear sir,
MY PASSPORT IS ECR I NEED TO CLEAR ECNR ON TOURIST VISA OR NOT,
REGARDS
SURAJ
@Suraj
For tourist purposes, ECNR is not required for any country.
dear sir,
my passport is in ecr
if i go on tourist visa and take employment visa i have to come back to india for ecnr stamp or not
regards
pankaj
@Pankaj
ECNR is required when you are leaving the country. In case you are already out of country, this does not matter.
Dear Sir,
following on from your comment that “ECNR is required when you are leaving the country. In case you are already out of country, this does not matter”, can you please reconfirm that IF the person returns to India on holiday (i.e. still employed abroad) then will ECNR be required on departure from India to RESUME duties abroad”
Thanks,
Soumen
@Soumen
Yes, ECNR will be required if someone is departing from India on employment visa for one of 18 countries specified.
Hi pankaj ji,
My wife has a ECR stamp on her passport and i have sent a residence visa to her and i am working in UAE .
She does not have any educational qualifications and her age is 47.
Please tell me whether ECNR is required for her or she can travel without any issue.
Is it necessary to take a return ticket for her ?
Thanks and regards .
@Mann
As she is not got going for employment, she won’t be requiring ECNR stamp.
There won’t be any issue and return tickets won’t be needed as she has residence visa.
Great support by Mr. Pankaj…
Really helpful.
dear Pankaj
My wife has a ECR stamp on her passport and i have sent a residence visa to her and i am working in Dubai.
She have educational qualifications
Please tell me whether ECNR is required for her or she can travel without any issue.
Is it necessary to take a return ticket for her
@Kartik
ECNR won’t be required in her case as she is not traveling for employment purposes.
There should also not be a need of return ticket as she will have residence visa with her.
Hi, I have Residence visa in Dubai, supponsored by Dubai Company and i am living in Sharjah. Now i want to bring my wife here in UAE. Can i apply from Sharjah or i will have to apply from Dubai?
Can she come by Sharjah airport or she will have to come by Dubai airport only?
Thanks
Deepak
@Deepak
It will be better if you get her visa done for Sharjah, as ultimately she has to visit Sharjah only.
Hi Pankaj,
You are doing a lot of help to people like us. Thanks.
I have a question.
I have a valid passport with ECR status. I’m planning to visit Dubai on a tourist visa. I’m still doing my degree (BE final year). Do I require to get ECNR status?
Thanks
@Ramkarthik
For tourist purposes, ECNR is not required for any country.
Thanks a lot Pankaj. I appreciate your response.
can my ecr be cancelled by my pan card
@Farhan
Yes, PAN card can be used as an eligibility criteria for getting ECNR.
can u tell me the procedure my ecr be cancelled by my pan card
@Farhan
You have to fill Misc form (http://passport.gov.in/cpv/miscell.pdf) and deposit same with fees of Rs 300 in your local passport office.
Along with that go with originals and 2 attested photocopies of following documents: All educational qualification certificates (starting 10th class), Passport (with photocopies of all non-blank pages), Proof of current residence (Ration card, Voter Id, Lease agreement), Proof of permanent address, PAN card and Employer Id.
Hi Pankaj
I have to go to Malaysia for 3 days for official Meeting. I have ECR mentioned on my passport. Do i have to get the ECNR stamped on my passport or i can travel with no issues with valid visa and return tickets
Awaiting your reply
Thanks,
@Harish
ECNR is required for Malaysia, If you are visiting for employment/official purposes.
At-least please get a temporary a temporary ECR suspension.
Thanks Pankaj for the information. How do i get the temporary suspension ? I heard that Bangalore RPO is now no longer giving temporary suspension though not very sure about it. so is this true ? Also i will not be going for employment but have a offical Operations meet to attend for 3 days. So still ECNR is required ?
I have also one more issue.Currently i am at my Home town( Nagpur ) on vacation. My passport is issued at Bangalore, so is it possible to get this ECNR endorssed or temporary suspension taken from my home town.
Awaiting your reply
@Harish
I think, ECNR will still be required.
I am not sure if temporary suspension has been stopped in Bangalore. You may contact any visa agent (may be same through which you got Visa done) regarding same. He may be able to help you. If temporary suspension is no more valid, then they also must have an alternate solution too.
It will be difficult to get it done from other city that from where passport was issued.
Dear Mr.Pankaj,
Thanks for writing the comments to all the ppl who contacted you,
I have the issue with ECR , as my wife doesn’t hold any study certificates and I want to bring her to Saudi Arabia on Family Visa.
R u sure @ that she doesn’t need the ECNR stamp, I heard the Immigration officers has stopped some cases before.
Your Latest comment on this will help me out.
Regards,
N.Phani Raja Gopal
@Phani
As per rules, ECNR will be required if one is going for employment. As your wife is going along with you on family visa, she won’t be requiring it.
If you want to be double safe, you may get ECNR stamp for her. She may get ECNR even with a 10th class certificate or PAN card copy. In case, she does not even has these documents, she can also get ECNR because of your (husband’s) eligibility.
Dear Pankaj, i am a pan card holder, my passpoer is ecr can i get ecnr by pan card eligibility, And i also want to know how shall i get ecnr or what will i have to do for it
@Sabir
You can get ECNR on basis of PAN card copy too.
You have to fill Misc form (http://passport.gov.in/cpv/miscell.pdf) and deposit same with fees of Rs 300 in your local passport office.
Along with that go with originals and 2 attested photocopies of following documents: All educational qualification certificates (starting 10th class), Passport (with photocopies of all non-blank pages), Proof of current residence (Ration card, Voter Id, Lease agreement), Proof of permanent address, PAN card and Employer Id.
Mr Pankaj, I have got a employment visa to go for oman, my passport is ecr, what i have to do to get clearence from poe i nither a pan card holder nor class 10 pass
@Sabir
You won’t be able to get ECNR stamp, if you don’t have 10th class certificate or PAN card. You will have to get clearance from POE.
i am class 8 pass but hold a pan card, is i am eligible for ecnr
@Shakir
Yes, you can get ECNR stamp on basis of PAN card copy.