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
ECR req for thailand,u.k,or us
@Sandeep
Yes for Thailand (only when going for employment). No for UK, US
hiii pankaj,
With ECR status is there any problem in any country for traveling purpose, and also tell me abt poe clearance if need?
@Raj
ECNR is not required for any country, in case one is not traveling for employment.
I have ECR in my passport how can a POE help me how much time will it take wat would be the cost.I have a family visa for kuwait and no return ticket
@Lakshmi
For family visa, ECNR should not be required.
Dear Pankaj,
I am sorry to bother you again, I have one more query with Respect to ECR & ECNR for Income-Tax payers. it says
Applicants submitting NILL income tax return statement are not eligible.
Proof of assessment of income tax and actual payment of income tax for last one year OR ii) Income Tax return statement (with income tax being paid by the applicant) for last one year that is stamped by income tax authorities and a copy of the PAN card Note: i) Proof of payment of advance tax is not sufficient. You need to submit additional documents as specified above.
My question to you is what if person is filing return today for financial year 2011-2012 with irrespective of any amount (like if he pays income tax to govt could be Rs. 100 or Rs. 1 Lakh is he eligible for ECNR STATUS. I tried speaking to customer service but then they could not answer my question. requesting you to please throw some light over it.
@Suraj
Assessment of income tax return should have been done as assessment proof is required. If you file income tax return now for FY 2011-12, its assessment would only be done in next 3-4 months minimum.
Just payment of income tax is not sufficient proof.
No issues if it takes 3-4 months, but then i can get ecnr passport, but then paying tax irrespective of any amount would do ?
@Suraj
Yes, you would be able to get ECNR then.
Paying taxes of any amount should work.
I am from mumbai. I tried speaking to customer care but they were not able to answer this, i am asked to visit regional office. Lets see what happens, i will update you their respons , thanks
I and my husband are having passports issued in 2004.with ECR stamping.We are planned to go to Botswana to visit our son who is working there.From there we will go to southafrica,for tourism purpose.We got visa for Botswana and Southafrica. We both are above 50 years old.Is it necessary for us to get ECNR before leaving India?
@Karpagam
No need to get ECNR stamp for visiting Botswana and South Africa.
Sir I have got my kamily visa for kuwait .done PCC, medical visa stamping now I came to know that my passport has ECR.I am in kerala(got married here)mympassport is issued in Delhi
pls help me as i have the ticket booking for next month
@Lakshmi
If you are not going to Kuwait for employment, you won’t need ECNR stamping.
In case you need it, you need to get passport reissued with ECNR status. This can also be done from Kerala.
if am am planning to there and work afterwards.
@Lakshmi
If while leaving India, you have employment visa of Kuwait, you would need ECNR status, else not.
if I want to reissue my passport with ECNR now,will i have to go through the pcc,medical.visa stamping again.will the same visa be valid.
@Lakshmi
Same visa on old passport would be valid. You need to carry both passports together all time.
Police verification on new address would be done as a part of passport issue process.
nothing has to be done on the new passport.things done on the old passport are sufficient.
sir I am very much worried i will not have to face any consequences right.
@Lakshmi
As told earlier before, Visa on Old passport would still be valid and you need not to worry.
Hi Sir,
I am going for employment to Qatar. I am not a Graduate. And my passport was issued after 2007. As per ur post above if the second page of my passport is blank I am endorsed for ECNR. The second page is blank. Nothing is written except “This passport contains 36 Pages” at the bottom of the page. I don’t need the ECNR stamping in my passport? Please advice. I just want to confirm. I am going to Qatar in 8 days.
Thanks
Anubha
@Anubha
Yes, you don’t need ECNR as your passport already have that status.
Thank You sir for ur prompt reply:)
hi sir i m nagendra from hyd , i m working as a chef in cruise ship (c1d visa)in USA , now i m planing for apply for work permint visa in canada , so i got the ECR stamp in my passport so this stamp is gonna create any problem in my future , when i applied for my passport that time i didnot submit any education certificate , (passport applied date = 10-09-2007) , when i was traveled to USA that time i did not face any problem , its need to me apply for ECNR stamp ,
its possible after expiry of passport i can change of my date of birth in passport , my passport (expiry=10-09-2017)
pls reply me sir ,
@Nagendra
ECNR is not required for USA, Canada and most of the other countries.
Its only needed if one is going for employment to any of the listed 17 countries.
thanks reply ,
sir i have one more question , i m planing to change date of birth in my passport , its possible i can change date of birth after passport get expired , whatever docments need to submited in passport office for change of date of birth ,
thanking u
nagendra
@Nagendra
You would need birth date proof to get DOB in passport changed.
See documents list which can act as birth date proof here: http://passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/popuponline/AttachmentAdvisorSub?subDocID=7002&confirmDOB=DOBVarYes
Hey Pankaj ! I have One stamp on my passport regarding ECNR . And it was issued before 2007 i.e in 2005 ,So suppose if i go to Dubai on Tourist Visa or if I go there for job then what do i have to do with this ECNR ?
@Gurneet
For tourist visa, ECNR/ECR stamp does not matter.
In case one is going for employment in the listed 17 countries, he would need ECNR status on passport.
TnQ PanKaj I Just noticed that i am Havinga Stamp of ECR on it not ECNR ,So now please guide me what i have to do with that ? Do I have to get it remove frm there or what ?Most probably i would be going to Dubai in October starting. So now what i have to do ?How much Time it will take ?
@Gurneet
If you are not going to Dubai for employment, you won’t need ECNR stamping.
ut if you intend to work there, you should apply for re-issue of passport with ECNR status.
Ok . I am GOing to dubai for Employment ,So that means i should apply for new passport ? Yes. And How long will they take to issue New one do you have any idea ? And whats the fee ? Or if go through any Agent kinda person will that be helpfull?
@Gurneet
You would need to get passport reissued for ECNR status. Under normal application, it would take 30-45 days. It would cost you Rs 1000 for a 36 page passport.
You can apply online on http://passportindia.gov.in
Hi pankaj,
I got a job in Dubai.. as a CLEANING SUPERVISOR. I am a graduate. Is it necessary to me get a ECNR clarance before leaving the country.. I am travelling on 18/08/12.
@Prasad
If your passport has ECR status, then you would need ECNR status or emigration clearance before leaving India for a job in Dubai.
Hello Sir, My brother is going to Tanzania for vacation of 1 or 2 weeks. His passport was issued in 2004. Also as he will take the visa on-arrival. Also as the return date is not fixed yet he has not booked a return ticket. Could you please let me know if ECNR stamp is required? As he has the flight today evening, how much long will it take to get the ECNR>
@Dhruvika
He won’t need ECNR status for traveling to Tanzania.
Hi I am travelling to Bangkok, Thailand for 3 days for a business trip. But my passport carries a ECR .. Will there be any problem at airport Emigration counter? Thanks to advice. Your Soonest reply will be appreciated
@Sudi
As Thailand is among listed countries for which ECNR is required, one may be stopped if he is going for employment/official purposes. Immigration officer are strict on a employment visa but it depends on their mood in case of a business visa.
Its better to get ECNR status before leaving India to play safe.
Hi Pankaj,
Thanks for the reply.
I am going for 3 days only for a business trip…
My passport issued on May 2006 (before 2007 year ). In my passport its written that(in 2nd page) Emigration check (ECR) required except for Pakistan ,Bangladesh, All Countries in Europe (except CIS), North America, Japan,New zealand, Australia, South Korea, South Africa, Singapore and Thailand.
Since Thailand is also mentioned (as except for) in my passport do you think I will be still having the issue at emmigration counter
Also, Please clarify one thing My passport There is a tick mark on the Emigration Check required status (like a right or corret symbol). Also nothing written on the Emigration Status, There is Emmigration Check Not Required written and not striked also… Can you please let us know whether my passport belongs to ECR or ECNR?
Thanks to advice.. As I am travelling on coming Sunday
@Sudi
I am not really sure about Thailand. In my passport (issued in 2003, see this image:http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3404/3667774791_91da774f89.jpg) Thailand is missing from ECR stamp.
As per Govt website link (http://moia.gov.in/services.aspx?ID1=111&id=m7&idp=104&mainid=73) too, Thailand is missing from countries for which emigration check is not required.
May be, after 2006, Thailand is also added to this country list and website is not updated yet.
As its specifically mentioned on your passport, you should not need ECNR. If asked by immigration officer at airport, you can show the same stamp.
If ECR is checked on passport its with ECR status only.
Thank you …
But one more thing How do I get the latest list of emigration countries?
Internet Sites which I have visted looks like all are old one. How can I get the latest updated countries?
Also, In the Airport after we check in the bags we need to fill a form and there will be a section called Does your Passport carry ECR? I have to Tick Yes for this correct? Evethough I have a stamp of Emigration not required for Thialnd on my 2nd page of Passport
Thanks to advice
Thanks to reply
@Sudi
I believe Indian Govt sites should have latest and correct information:
http://moia.gov.in/services.aspx?ID1=111&id=m7&idp=104&mainid=73
http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in/ecnr-ecr-poe2.htm
You need to put Yes in ECR column in immigration form.
I have got admission in UAE with student visa do, I need to get ECNR status stamped.I would be studying B.Tech there.
@Shreyansh
For student visa, ECNR is not required.
Sir,
If i applied for re issue of passport with ECNR stamp,One passport number will change on the new one?
@Kiran
New passport would have a new passport number but visa on existing passport would still be valid.
Am working in ABC company in UAE and resigned,I am planning to come in other company in next month.for new visa process i given my passport copy and exit stamp from airport immigration.If i apply for re issue of my passport with ECNR stamp in india .The new company can process my new visa or they/me will get into any trouble to get new visa? please reply to me
i intend to go on a student exchange programme to japan.my passport was issued at th
e age of 16. i am now 22. my passport has a stamp stating “ecr check required except for ……” japan has an exception to this as mentioned in the para.
but ii am still worried.
is there a problem with my passport?
can i get a travel visa to japan in a month’s time?
@Rhea
For traveling to Japan, ECNR/Emigration clearance is not required.
Hi I’m applying for passport without my educational certificates..so I will get ecr stamp on it….later when I got back my certificates can I change ecr status into ecnr…r I cant?
@Siddu
Later you would need to get passport re-issued for ECNR status.
Sir my brother has a ECR stamp on his passport and he didnt complete his marticulation his visa is already issued by UAE. Yesterday he went to nagpur airport immigration official didnt let him fly they advised him to get the ecr status removed from his passport how could he remove the ecr status his visa already issued as a sales job in grocerry. Please advice.
@Abdul
If he is eligible for ECNR status (check eligible document list here: http://www.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/onlineHtml/NonEcrDocuments.html), then he can get passport reissued with ECNR status. Visa on old passport would remain valid and he need to carry both passports together.
In case he is not eligible for ECNR, he should get emigration clearance from PoE office. He may also apply online on http://poeonline.gov.in