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
I am going to dubai on employment visa and i am 10th fail and my passport has ECR stamp.
I have all the docs as mentioned on ur website for ECNR except Sposnsorship declaration , is it required for travel to dubai? pls clarify
@Karim
You would need to get emigration clearance from PoE office before leaving as you may not be eligible for ECNR status.
thanks for ur prompt reply.
can u pls guide what will be the documents required for cancelling the ECR stamp temporarily in Mumbai , I have employment visa (Dubai) and I am 10th Fail .
Karim
@Karim
For temporary suspension of ECR, please contact any travel agent, he may get it done fast.
Hi can you help me please
i had to return back from the airport as my passport has ecr stamp and i was travelling based on employment entry visa. They told me to go for an ecnr stamp but the passport officers suggested me to reissue my passport (which doesn’t cancel my previous passport but comes with a new number and no ecr).
Now my employment visa has my old passport number , will i have any problems at the immigration in india or dubai wen i travel next.
@Padma
You need to get passport reissued for ECNR status. Visa on old passport would still be valid and you need to carry both passports together.
Dear Mr Batra
Thank you so much for the immediate reply . Few more queries if you can assist with.
Now the visa is just an employment entry visa based on previous passport number , and my passport has been stamped as ‘extended the issue of fresh booklet’.Once I reach the Dubai airport on 22nd of this month I have to collect my original employment visa from them and go through an eye scan and then my work visa will be processed by my sponsor. Now is it mandatory for my sponsor to make work visa based on old passport or they can have it done as per new passport?
Though I was confirmed that my old passport remains valid the aknowledgement letter provided to me for tatkaal passport issue mentions ‘ cancelled Passport No. ( if any) -no. of my old passport. Now I am in two minds and confused if my old passport is cancelled or not , my friends from other nationalities are telling me that in their countries if a new passport is issued it means that the old one is cancelled and I might face problems at the Dubai customs for carrying two passports .
I need a bit of assurance as my date of joining was already postponed due to ECR status . And I am doing everything to make sure nothing goes wrong this time.
As its an entry visa I hope Dubai customs are not expecting me to have a new visa based on new passport with no ECR to enter their country.
@Padma
Your new visa after reaching Dubai can be pasted on new passport. There should not be any issue in it.
All visas on old passport would remain valid to their dates even after new passport issue. Old passport is not cancelled but extended to a new passport.
Thanks a ton ! 🙂
sir i wanted to know whether i can get a passport with ECNR with Inter APOSS
(ANDHRA PRADESH OPEN SCHOOL SOCIETY) certificate?
orelse i have to provide only 10th certificate from APOSS passed certificate? pls tel me can i get passport vth these certificates?kindly help me
@Kheerthi
You need to submit matriculation certificate for getting ECNR.
@ Pankaj
Today i had applied for Passport for ECNR deletion.. they had putted a CANCEL stamp on my old one and return it bk to me add taken my case in pre -verification.
so my scenario
current location residing for 4 months(mumbai)
previous location 3.3 year (pune)
permanent address also changed (UP)
I had mention every detail in my form
as per rule i had given both address (mumbai for 4 month & rest for Pune)
so according to woh what will be xpected time for complete verification process.
@Saurabh
We are not really sure about verification timelines, but atleast it should take 10-12 days.
sir, i want to now i am working for last 16 years in abroad and my last passport is carry ecnr reseantly i was re-issue my passport in kolkata and i submeted scan copy of ecnr along with old passport copy but i am recived my new passport with ecr stamp what can i do now for ecnr stamp please reply me
@Mohammad
In case you asked for Non-ECR category while filling up passport form and still they provided you ECR after eligibility, you should go to passport office and ask for correction. As this is their mistake and they should correct it without any further delay and fees.
Else you will have to apply for reissue of passport with ECNR status.
Hi Pankaj,
My husband will be travelling to US on L1 and my passport has ECR stamp.
I may/may not work and hence wanted to check if I need to work then will I need ECNR status for US?
What is Emigration Clearance Certificate and how do we get it?
Regards,
@Bhumika
ECR/ECNR does not matter for traveling to USA.
Thank you Pankaj.
sir, i am going to work in afghanistan single entry visa and my passport having a ecr stamp my old passport having ecnr stamp and it was valid till december 2012 receantly i am re issue my passport they put ecr stamp i if in urgent i make a temporary ecnt by treavel agency what ducoments reqire and time and money can you please tellme
@Mohammad
You may get temporary suspension of ECR by providing visa and passport copy. Travel agent may take 2-3 days in getting it done.
Hi Pankaj,
I am having a malaysia work permit visa.I dont have ECNR stamp on this.I need to travel urgentely.
1.Please advice PoE will give the temporary ECNR stamp, it will be valid for how long duration and multiple entry will be there or not.
2. Is it mandatory apply in POE to get ECNR stamp from agent only.
Regards,
@Sahil
1. PoE would provide emigration clearance and not temporary suspension of ECR. Temporary suspension is generally valid for a fixed duration like 1-6 months. Multiple entry is generally not allowed on this.
2. You can get temporary suspension with help from travel agent.
Hi Pankaj,
My passport has ecr endored on it Iam visiting UAE on a visit visa. Can I visit uae with the ecr passport. Please consider it a bit urgent.
Thanks
@Ahmad
Unless you are going for a job to UAE, you won’t need ECNR status.
Hi Pankaj
If we are visiting uae for business purpose on a business visit visa then also we dont require ecnr status.
Thanks
@Ahmad
If you have return tickets then it should not be needed in case of a business visit.
Thank you very much pankaj.
I taught I will get reply tomorrow or so.
Hi Mr. Pankaj
My mother in law is going to come on employment visa in UAE, in her paassport on last page its mentioned Emigration cheque required…. In August 2012 she completed 50 years (age) so please let me know if she need to have ECNR stamp on her passport or she can fly directly?
Thanks
@Stella
As she is traveling for employment she would beed ECNR status. She can get ECNR status by applying for reissue of passport and submitting any of the below documents:
i) Birth Certificate issued by the Municipal Authority or any office authorized to issue Birth and Death Certificate by the Registrar of Births & Deaths
OR
ii) School leaving certificate / Secondary School leaving certificate/ Certificate of Recognized Boards from the school last attended by the applicant or any other recognized educational institution
OR
iii) Affidavit sworn before a Magistrate/Notary stating date/place of birth as per the specimen in Annexure “A” by illiterate or semi-illiterate applicants (Less than 5th class)
If the passport will be reissued then Passport no. will be changed and she will have cancellation stamp on old passport……..already she have employment visa is there any problem in India Immigration (on airport) or in dubai ummigration?
@Stella
Visa on old passport would remain valid and she would need to carry both passports.
Dear sir,
Good day.
My old passport has got ECNR. my new passport issued doesn’t have ECNR.
Kindly advise what to do. I had already travelled to Egypt and Uk with the same new passport.
Just now i saw it is not stamped with ECNR.
Can you advise me anything on this.
How much time does it take for ECNR status.
Do i really need ECNR. I am a sailing seaferer and have been travelling abroad since long time.
Deepak
9572708212
@Deepak
If your new passport does not have ECR stamp, it means its by default with ECNR status and you need not to do anything now.
Dear sir,
Good day.
Thanks for the reply.
My passport has got ECR stamp. Old passport has got ECNR stamp. I had already travelled to Egypt and united kingdom with this passport I mean new one.
As I am likely to go to gulf countries soon but I came to know about this today only. I am schedule to travel to dubai for briefing.
Now my question is with this ECR stamp will I face any problem. I don’t have sufficient time for getting ECNR stamp so will I face any problem.
On the website there are certain posts which says travel agent can get this temporary suspension so is it available for us.i meet all criteria for ECNR and old passport does contain that.
So will I face any problem. People say its only for labour catacory. When I travel I always have company letter , agent details okay to board with airlines etc.
Please advise .
Thanking you in advance.
Thanks and best regards,
Deepak
Sent from my iPhone
Deepak Kumar Gupta
Mob: +91-9572708212
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
“SAVE PAPER – THINK BEFORE YOU PRINT”
@Deepak
In case you are going for employment, then ECNR status would be needed.
You can get temporary suspension of ECR if you are in hurry.
Once you are back, you would need to apply for reissue of passport with ECNR status. If you had opted for ECNR and also submitted proofs for same, you should contact passport office for rectification and they should issue ECNR status without any fees because of their mistake.
Dear sir,
Thank you for the reply.
It’s really helpful.
One more last thing.
It’s issued in patna so can I apply in kolkata.
How long does it take to get the same.
Still I believe there is some time for the same so checking the possibility.
I am also cycling with my company for the same.
@Deepak
Reissue of passport may take minimum 4-5 days.
Temporary suspension may take 1-2 days only.
If you apply in Patna, you will have to provide new address proofs from Patna and it may further delay processing as police verification would be again done for new address.
Dear sir,
Well noted the same with many thanks.
Will revert if I have more queries.
Deepak
Dear Sir
Please advice how much time it will take ECNR stamp as per new passport regulation, my passport was issued on May 2012 and I have already travelled to Egypt and UK using this passport and my passport was issued in Patna, can i get done it in Kolkata if yes what is the procedure and what all documents for the same.
Tx
Deepak
@Deepak
As per their website (http://www.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/online/faqWhatHasChanged), its 3 days for normal application for reissue of passport.
Passport application should be made in a office where you currently live. If you wish to apply from Kolkata, you would also need to submit change of address request by providing address proof. This may take 8-10 days extra as fresh police verification would need to be done in Kolkata.
If you apply from Patna, then police verification may not be needed as passport was recently issued.
What documents are required you can check from this page: http://www.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/docAdvisor/reissuePassport
Hi Pankaj,
This is Rammohan, I had Express Visa for 6 months duration of expiry date ,but it is mentioned 3 weeks on that along with 6 months expiry date.So actually my travel was to MASCAT(OMAN) for employment,but my passport had ECR status,which was issued in 2006,finally airport authority not allowed me to travel to Mascat on that particular scheduled date,so it was cancelled.
So pls advise me whether should I go for temporary suspension or Reissue of Passport.
@Rammohan
For permanent ECNR status, apply for reissue of passport. Else you may get temporary suspension of ECR.
Dear pankaj sir i am going to west africi country benin for work and in my passport have ecr i can go or not plz ans. Thanks
@Dipesh
If you are going to any of the below countries for job, then ECNR would be needed else not.
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.
hello sir,how are you sir can you please tell me for temporary suspensan for ecr stamp in delhi were i can make do you now the name of any travel agent in delhi were i can make ecr stamp suspensan fast because i am going for work in afghanistan for employment visa
@Mohammad
We have as such no links with travel agents in Delhi. Please find a local agent in your area.
hello sir, i hope your good. where i can find temporary suspension for ECR in mumbai.
because i got employment visa for abhudhabi so please kindly suggest. and how much time it takes.
@Prasanna
Please contact travel agent for temporary suspension of ECR.
It may take 1-2 days in getting this stamp.