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 Pankaj Batra ! Thanks for all your valiable information.
My passport was issues on June 2007 with ECR stamp.
If I am travelling to US or Europe (like UK, France, Germany, etc., )
Do I need Emigration Clearance before leaving India ?
Thanks in advance.
@Shiva
ECNR is only required if you are traveling to any of the below 18 countries for job/business:
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 and Iraq.
Hi Pankaj , I have an Employment VISA to UAE valid til 6th april 2012.I was not allowed to board my flight to Dubai due to ECR status on my passport . I have got my passport reissued with ECNR status , but my VISA holds the Old passport number . Will it create any problem for my arrival at Dubai ? Please reply to me at the earliest .
@Harsh
You should carry both passports together and visa on old passport would still be valid.
Thanks for all your valiable information.
If i am studing in college and do not almost have any plans to go abroad for job what should i do go for “ECR” of “ECNR”?
@Pratik
Passport would be valid for next 10 years, so even if you don’t plan to go abroad for job now, there is no harm in getting ECNR status if you are eligible.
There is no extra charge or extra documentation required.
I AM 15 YEARS OLD I ISSUED MY PASSPORT ON 11/10/10 AND THE SECOND PAGE OF MY PASSPORT IS BLANK I WANT TO GO TO DUBAI MY FATHER LIVES IN DUBAI DO I NEED TO AN ENCR STAMP ON MY PASSPORT CAN I EASILY BOARD THE PLANE I AM GOING TO DUBAI TO JUST HAVE A VISIT FOR 1 OR 2 MONTHS DO I NEED ENCR STAMP I KNOW THAT IF 2 PAGE IS BLANK THE HOLDER OF PASSPORT HAVE STATUS ENCR
@Pulkit
1. ECNR is not required if you are not going for job.
2. Your passport is already with ECNR status as 2nd page is blank.
i had completed my b.tech want to go for US for further studies, so i hav applied for Re-issue passport. But there is a option like ” Are you eligible for NON-ECR category (yes/no) and i clicked ‘yes’ “. Now my frnds are saying change the option and select it as ‘NO’. Give me a correct solution for this anyone what should i do….!!
@Vachaspathi
As you are already eligible for ECNR (non-ECR category), why don’t you get ECNR status.
There is no extra charge or documentation required for this. There is no harm in getting it.
hi,iam ramakrishna ,my wife pass port second page is ecr ,she is coming on residence visa to u.a.e need ecnr or not
@Ramakrishna
As she is not coming for employment/job, she won’t need ECNR status.
Hi, My Old Passport was Issued at the Age of 16 Years…with a ECR stamp, I now Wich to have this changes to an ECNR I have my 10th, 12th std mark sheets along with my S.Y.Bsc mark sheet as well. also i have my pan card and previously filed tax papers. Can a bonafied certificate from the institute where i am completing my graduation also work to get ECR removed? please assist
@Ashutosh
Please view list of documents which can be used to get ECNR status here: http://www.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/onlineHtml/NonEcrDocuments.html
Dear All;
Does it required ECNR check for bringing my wife on Visit Visa from India to Qatar, does any one can give the suggestion plz.
@Sahil
ECNR status won’t be required for a visit visa.
I have an ECNR Stamp on my passport which says that it is valid till i turn 24 years old. I am currently in India but also a resident visa holder of UAE on my father’s sponsorship, who is also a resident there. I turn 24 this year. Will I have to renew the ECNR stamp before I visit UAE again?
@Neha
If you intend to visit UAE for employment/job purpose, then you would need to get ECNR status again.
my passport was issued on 03/09/2010 and on the second page it has ECR stamp and now i want to apply for ECNR;what are the procedure ?
@Benoy
You would need to apply for re-issue of passport with ECNR status.
Hi Pakaj Sir,
I got an offer from Malaysia. I have ECR stamp in my passport from Visakhapatnam. I am working in Hyderabad now. Can I go to Hyderabad office to have an ECR cancellation? Please guide I need to join with in a week there. Please guide.
@Lalit
Now passport needs to be re-issued for ECNR status. ECR cancellation cannot be done on old passports.
Pankaj Sir, Can’t I go for a POE certificate because I need to fly next week.
@Lalit
Yes, you can go for emigration clearance from protector of emigrants (POE).
Also earlier there was temporary suspension of ECR rule also (for short period like a month or so), I am not sure if it works now as well. Please consult a visa agent for this.
I got this done on passport in 2006 for traveling to Malaysia on business visa.
Hi Pankaj Sir,
Can we go for a reissue of passport for ECNR under Tatkal service. Because for POE clearance I again have to ask a Employment Agreement. Which again will take time I suppose. Any guidance and suggestions in this regard. Thanks a ton in advance.
@Lalit
Yes, you can go for reissue of passport under Tatkal scheme, but time taken in issuing passport still depends on various factors.
Pankaj Sir Good Morning,
If I get an POE clearance and I go for employment now, then
1.do I need to come for any clearance again to India in future?
2.If I come for 10-12 days leave to India an when I go back, do I need to take POE clearance again?
3.go I need to bother about any other clearance or formalities after I reach Malaysia?
Thanks a ton in advance 🙂
@Lalit
You would need to get POE clearance every-time you go out for employment to listed countries, if you don’t get ECNR status.
There would not be any more requirements from Malaysia side w.r.t. ECNR.
Sir ji ,
Will there be any issue if I come for a leave in India and go back to work again?
what are the formalities I need to complete for an POE clearance?
@Lalit
POE clearance may become void in the visit back to India, but I am not really sure about it.
Its best that you visit your nearest POE office asap and get details about same.
Hi Pankaj Sir ,
Many many thanks for your guidance. I appreciate your support from the bottom of my heart. I received the passport in Tatkal scheme in exactly 7 days. you are giving your uninterrupted support to everyone inspite of your busy schedules. Without your guidance I wouldn’t have got solution to my problem with your knowledge.
Hi Pankaj Sir,
I received my new passport and sent it for visa processing. I got the stamp on new passport however, in the Employment Pass the passport no. is my old passport one. Will this be an issue when I go to Malaysia? I need to leave within one day. I repeat the number in Employment Pass it is old passport and stamp is in new passport.
Thanks in Advance,
Regards,
Lalit
@Lalit
It should not be an issue. You should carry both the passports (old and new) together.
Hi pankaj, My family is coming to Dubai on residence Visa but they does not have ECNR on there passport, they are holding original residence visa with hologram on it. they have purchases single ticket, do they reqd ECNR on there passport. please reply me soon they are travelling on 1st april.
@Ali
As per rules, all other travelers excluding with employment visa won’t required ECNR status.
i had spelling mistake in my 10th standard certificate..so far i did my school studies only is it possible for me to get ECNR..
@Sadiq
If you can show any other eligibility document for ECNR with correct name, you can get ECNR status.
pankaj Batra
my name is NADEEM AHMAD KHAN i have passout post graduation degree…
my date of birth in passport 18/03/1991 i m going to riyadh for job, ECNR stamp is required in my passport….plz reply me as soon as possible
@Nadeem
You would require ECNR status as you are going to Riyadh for job.
Hi Pankaj Batra,
I got my passport in 2006 without ECNR stamp, there was an extra check when I visited Malaysia last year and official from airport told me to get ECNR stamp, so that it would be good for next visit. I got my passport from Visakhapatnam and now I’m living in Hyderabad. Can I get ECNR stamp from Hyderabad passport office and how many days it will take? If I get re-issue of passport for ECNR stamp, I would also like to get my signature changed on my passport as its been changed. Please suggest.
@Rocky
In case you are visiting one of the listed 18 countries for job, you would need an ECNR status on passport.
You would need to apply for re-issue of your passport for getting ECNR status and to get signature changed.
sir
what is the procedure of ECNR stamp.if after 2 and 3 weeks i want geeting ECNR status.afterthat oneyear i m going to riyadh any problem for ECNR.
Any validity in ECNR.
@Nadeem
You would need to get your passport re-issued for ECNR status. This status would be valid till passport validity (generally 10 years)
Hi… I am planning to visit UAE just for four days next week .. for a short holiday…will i still need ECNR…I have ECR stamped on my passport
@Jayant
For travel and holiday purposes, ECNR is not required. All you need is a valid return ticket.
Hi Pankaj,
Recently I applied for re-isse of passport to get my spouse name, address change and ECR removed but unfortunately in the new passport, i haven’t got the ECNR ( ECR stamp still exists)…So now if I again apply for the re-issue, I vl get one more passport..So wht are ur suggestions…will aPOE clearance will be a good idea.
I want to travel to US for work.
@Sunny
If you have intention to go any of the listed 18 countries for job (see list on this page: http://www.pankajbatra.com/travel/emigration-clearance-not-required-from-oct-1/), then only you would need ECNR or POE clearance.
Pankaj, last year 2011 august, i get my passport. but my passport 1st page not given any stamp. So i am doubted my passport is Ecnr or Ecr and one thing my area police station took my thumb impress and all Enquiry, But police station not put any stamps in my passport. So i doubt i want any necessary to Pcc. Please Reply…
@Velan
If your passport does not have ECR stamp, its with ECNR status and nothing much needs to be done now for ECNR.
Your passport has been issued that means police verification was done, now no need to worry about police verification. There is no stamp on passport for police verification.
my passport 1 page is blank… So my passport is Ecnr right… now i go with any country in this world not any problems came right…?
@Velan
yes, your passport is with ECNR status and you won’t have any issue in visiting any country on any visa regarding emigration at Indian airports.
Thanks for ur kind reply pankaj… 1 more question 2 days before my elder brother went on tatkal scheme passport interview at chennai (saligramam) 28.3.12. Finally he get token and paid the fees for 2500. But he got ecr passport. So what procedure to change the ecnr. because he not finish degree, So how he got Ecnr…
@Velan
He would need to apply for re-issue of passport with ECNR status.
pankaj, how to apply for the re-issue of passport with Ecnr?
@Velan
You can apply for re-issue of passport online: http://www.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/online/applyForReissue
Thanks for your kind information pankaj…
Pankaj Batra, my passport doesn’t have ECR stamp. I have taken the passport on 2006 . How to clear my ECR stamp? I need to go by Aprl 19. What should I do? To clear it.
Please reply
@Tintu
If your passport does not have ECR stamp, it should be treated as with ECNR status.
Otherwise, in case you need ECNR status you would need to apply for re-issue of passport. Even if you apply through tatkal, there are less chances of getting passport reissued by 19 April. In that case you may go for temporary suspension of ECNR or clearance from protector of emigrants office.