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, Im vadivelan from chennai. I get my passport last September, Actually i attached my degree certificates and all before apply the passport. My passport not intimate any stamp clearance For ECNR, but my frend got passport bfr at my passport, he is passport mentioned this seal on EcR. But my passport all the pages was blank. my passport is ECNR or ECR. Can you please help me?
B’as next month im going to join the job at sigapore this is my major doubt, all are said my passport is ECNR, But im doubted. please help me pankaj…
Thanks.
@Vadivelan
New passports with blank second page are by default with ECNR status, so you need not to get any more stamp now.
I asking u pankaj, I need any stamp now in my passport? or Directly I use to my passport for all countries not require the stamp…?
@Vadivelan
You can use your passport to travel to any country on any kind of valid visa.
There is no further stamp of ECNR required.
thank u so much pankaj. thanks for your help.
SIR,
I NEED TO KNOW THAT I AM STAYING IN DUBAI FROM 10 MONTHS NOW I NEED TO GO FOR A VACATION TO INDIA DO I NEED ECNR STAMPED BECAUSE I HAVE A ECR STAMP ON MY PASSPORT,I CAME HERE FOR A VISIT AND I GOT THE EMPLOYMENT VISA HERE ONLY ,I NEED TO COME BACK TO INDIA AFTER 10 DAYS DO I NEED ECNR STAMPED?
@Deepak
If you are going to Dubai from India for employment, you would need ECNR status on your passport.
If its not there, you could be sent back from airport.
Hi pankaj,
Hope all is going good for you ! Last month i had asked you one question about ECR stamp in my passport. Finally i have reached dubai in visit visa without clearing ECR status(with the NOC letter from my dubai friend). I have heared now a days clearing ECR is not a simple procees in chennai and it might take 3 or 4 weeks to get it done. Anyhow i will be going through the process once i reached chennai. It seems i may get a new passport as well as new passport number . Here my question is
1) will my new passport carry my old passport number anywhere ??
2) shall i give my old passport copy to my new company for the visa process ??
3) will i be able to travel with the employment visa which holds my old passprt no ?? please … thanks in advance
@Nazeer
1. In case new passport is issued, it will carry information about older passport too and you would need to carry both passports all time.
2. Visa on old passport will still be valid and you can get it issued on older passport too.
Hi,my passport issued in Riyad and the 2nd page is blank now i am travelling to UAE in employment visa can i need to get ECR or not please help
@Syed
As 2nd page is blank, your passport is already with ECNR status. You won’t need further stamping.
Mr Batra my question is: My younger brother going on job in Dubai.His passport is blank there is no stamp on it. Does he need ECNR stamp? Agents are saying it is needed and passport agents also told me that if you don’t have ecr stamp on passport you have to update your ecnr detail on internet is it right?
@S.M Faizani
As 2nd page is blank, passport is already with ECNR status. There is no need of further stamping.
Dear Mr. Batra,
I am an NRI leaving in Dubai for now almost 20 Years, My Age is 24Yers i have been bought up here in Dubai. My Passport was issues in Dubai in year 2005 and it has and ECNR Stamp saying (ECNR till the dependent minor attends age 24 Years), Now i am travailing to India for some personal work for 2weeks will there be any problem coming back as i have a valid VISA, and i am staying here with my family.
Please Advice Thanking you & Kind Regards
@Ali
ECNR should not be an issue as you are already a NRI and resident of Dubai.
Hi Pankaj,
I am working in dubai in residence visa, I am planning to bring my mother here in visit visa for one month. Her passport has a ECR stamp. How do I proceed from here ?
Do we need to get Temporary suspension on ECR or since it is a visit visa just producing the return ticket and visit visa will do ?
Please advice
@Sethu
As your mother would be coming on visit visa, she won’t need an ECNR stamp.
She can goto Dubai even with ECR stamp as she is not going for employment or business.
Thanks for your input, pankaj.
Have a query, just for my understanding.
Who is the authority concern about the ECR stamping, indian immigiration or dubai immigiration ?
So while my mother is leaving from india, at departure immigiration if she shows the visit visa, it should be done ? just to double check
@Sethu
Its Indian immigration who is concerned about ECR stamping, other countries have nothing to do with this stamp/policy.
Emigration officer while departing from India, would check visa and passport.
hi pankaj if they catch in the airport for not having ECNR what is the procedure and how much time it will take if we pay fine on spot they will alow to fly or not
@Syed
There is no option of paying fine on spot. If ECNR is required and person does not have same, he/she would be returned back from airport.
He/she would have to come back with a ECNR stamped passport. As new passports are being issued as of now in-spite of ECNR stamp on earlier passport, it may take upto one month in processing.
Hi Pankaj, My passport is having ECR but I came to UAE on visit and got job & did exit exntry near by Kish Island. Know I am planing to visit my family after 6months back to Hyderabad but still confused about my ECR? what to do while I will be on Holiday for 13days, kindly advise.
@Hussain
As next time you leave India, you would be leaving for UAE for employment and you would need to show ENCR status.
When you visit India, please get a renewed passport issued with ECNR status before coming back.
Dear Pankaj
In the previous msg. u told ENCR what does this mean and to renewed my passport but I have a doubt I will be visiting for 13days only and how come these is possible to get though my passport expiry is 2015, or anything that I can do as temporary ECNR stamp.
Kindly help me to get any solution whether in UAE or Hyderabad.
@Hussain
Sorry, it was a typo and I meant ECNR.
ECNR stamping rules have changed and now-a-days, new passports are being issued rather than a stamp on existing passport.
This will be done in passport offices only, I am not sure if Indian embassy office in UAE also provide this service.
Me complete my 48 Month visa in UAE Is this sufficient to get ECNR endorsement for all contries ?
@Shams
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) are eligible for getting ECNR status.
I am living in UAE for more than 5 Years on Employment visa next month iam going to India for 10 days on my return will it be a problem. My passport cointain ECR
@Noble
You may be stopped at Indian airport while returning back to UAE due to having ECR status with employment visa.
I would advise you to get ECNR status before leaving India.
Dear Pankaj,
i have got job in UAE and they have asked for ECNR clearance on my passport,
my query is i have got my passport issued under Tatkal scheme during march 2011 & second page is left blank
so do i have to apply for ECNR ?? or
by default it will be EcNR ??
please do clarify
rgs
venkatesh
@Venkatesh
As you passport is recently issued and with second page blank, it already with ECNR status.
No further stamping is required on passport for ECNR and you may travel to UAE without any issue.
Dear Pankaj,
I am in malaysia now , i hav applied professional visa ( 6 months stay )here through my company side, its getting delay now so i hav to go bak india and again need to come coz my visa 30 days stay only , problem is i hav ECR stamp in my marks card to get ECNR need to submit my SSLC marks card but its xerox copy i lost original copy , so plz suggest how i can get ECNR?
sorry ECR in my passport not in marks card and if xerox marks card ok than how long it vl take.
@Dhanu
Photocopy of proof won’t be accepted.
You may submit any other education qualification document as well like degree etc.
Or if you are tax payer, you may also submit income tax returns as well. Check this page for all valid documents: http://www.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/onlineHtml/NonEcrDocuments.html
Hello Pankaj
ONe of my known person is coming to dubai for employment as office boy, he is not having any pan card, no education also after 8th level, he is a lower class person. I sent him my company employment visa already but problem is he is having ECR stamp on his passport. He is suffering to get ECNR stamp on passport but nobody is telling him proper procedure. Please guide me step by step what shall he do. Would appreciate your urgent reply.
Warm Regards
Kapil Mehta
@Kapil
He won’t be able to get ECNR stamp as he does not qualify for same.
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, before leaving India.
Thanks Pankaj
How will he get that, if he goes to their office what documents he will carry. Will they give him easily or do we engage any agent. Any documents needed from me. My company already sent him offer letter on letter head and visa copy. Please suggest its urgent.
@Kapil
He should go with company offer letter, visa, passport, address proofs, ID proof and travel tickets (if available).
Also remember to carry 2 copies of each document with attested one also.
Dear Pankaj,
Thank You for your reply.
I have 3 years admin executive job exp. in my present company and invitation letter from Malaysia, also i have PAN card , Dring liecense, birth certificate, transfer cerificate of SSLC and 1st PUC
above docements if any useful to get ECNR kindly plz reply ,,,thank u very much.
@Dhanu
If you have filed income tax returns for last 2-3 years, you can go with return copy and your PAN card.
Out of the documents mentioned by you, this is the only thing which may get you ECNR.
Hi Pankaj,
My passport has ECR stamoing and was issued in year 2006.
My passport was issued by Bhopal office and now I am currently residing in Mumbai. I have to go to Bahrain for Job, my querries are :
1. Can I get ECNR stamping in Mumbai Office ? if yes how should I apply and how much time will it take ? is there any Tatkal scheme for such services ?
2.I do not have permanent address in Mumbai, I am staying in reneted house, can i continue showing my permanent address in Bhopal.
3. if i apply in Bhopal office will it take lesser time than Mumbai ?
4. What are the minimum documents which should be required?
5. In Bhopal one agent told me that they have stopped putting ECNR stamping and suggested me to apply for Re-issue of Passport , is that viable, please suggest ?
regards,
samar
@Samar
1. You can get ECNR from Mumbai office too, but you would need to submit your mumbai address proofs as well.
As of now, no stamp is being put on existing passports, instead you would need to apply for a passport re-issue with ECNR status. It may take upto a month for issuance of new passport. You can also go with tatkal scheme.
2. You can continue showing permanent address in bhopal with a current address in Mumbai. If you don’t show your mumbai address, you would need to apply in Bhopal only.
3. If you apply in Bhopal, it may take less time as a police verification might not be needed as same address is already there on old passport.
4. Check for required documents for ECNR on this link: http://www.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/onlineHtml/NonEcrDocuments.html
HI, Have got any person who have been to thailand and country with ECR stamp, have any shared their experince with you about it, please let me know, i have got my tickets and visa to thailand, so wil i have a problem to travel with ECR status.
@Merwyn
Few of my friends have been to Thailand on tourist visa with a ECR stamp and they had no issues.
In case of job or business visit, ECNR would be required.
Hi,
I got my passport year 2004 & in 2 page they had mentioned ECNR is stamped by RECEIVED & in 3 page ECR it’s stamped by DELETED, what does it mean???? Please advice me!!!!!!!!!!
@Rashmi
Looks like your ECR stamp deletion has been done, which means you have ECNR status on your passport.
Hi Pankaj !! My wife & children are coming to Dubai in resident visa do they reqd. ECNR becoz on my wife Passport there is ECR stamp.
@Ali
As they are not going to Dubai for job or business, they won’t need ECNR stamp.
Dear Sir,
I am having ECR passport (Ahmedabad Gujarat 2003) valid up 2013, i got a job Dubai, my employer inform me to clear Emigration (ECNR) before travelling to Dubai.
Please clear How to clear this matter.
@Bhaskaran
You would need to get your passport re-issued with ECNR status.
Please apply for re-issue of passport. To get more details, please visit: http://www.passportindia.gov.in
Dear Sir.
This is Bhasakaran again,
Thank you for helping me, Sir i have received my passport yesterday but there is no stamp on second page . Second page is totally blank no ECNR status so wiil I have a problem to travel ? please inform sir.
Next week i will get my vissa.
@Bhaskaran
No stamp means its default with ECNR status.
There won’t be any issue in travel now.
Dear Sir,
This is Bhaskaran again,
Again thanks for helping me
Sir I have received my visa. Is there any PCP required before leaving Dubai.
Please inform me.
Awaiting your early reply.
Thanks, With best regards
Bhaskarn
@Bhaskaran
There is no need of police verification before leaving for Dubai if you have valid visa and passport.