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, my passport has ECR stamp on it. I need to travel to Kuwait on Business Visa. Do I need an ECNR stamp on it?
@Tania
As not going for job, ECNR should not be needed.
i got a job from Qatar as a salesman, but i’m not completed my 10th, is there any problem with immigration clearness or in certification attested
please he me
@Vimal
As you are not eligible to get ECNR, you should get emigration clearance from Protector of Emigrants (PoE) office.
thanks for your valuable guidance.
Regards
vimal
hi sir,
im going to dubai for job,,i have employment visa,with me,,in my passport 2nd page or last to 2nd page no any remarks for ecr,or ecnr,,& im ssc fail,,,can go easily or not,, please let me no,,
@Abdulla
If your passport has been issued after 2007 and has no stamp for ECR, its by default with ECNR status. In that you won’t need any further stamp/processing.
Hi Pankaj,
I had applied for passport on 12 Oct 2012 , mine application was kept on pre verification & on 29 Nov my verification completed . From 1 Dec status of my file is intact “Passport application is under review at Regional Passport Office.”
According to customer care (1800-258-1800) this is final stage next will passport disperse & over to that as mention on site ” after verification it take only 3 days for Normal-Pre Verification File’s passport dispatch. (http://www.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/online/faqWhatHasChanged)
Please tell me what should/can i do to get my passport asap.
(Note : i had applied at THANE-Maharashtra passport seva kendra)
@Saurabh
Frankly I have no idea why it took more than 2.5 months and still not issued.
With new system in place, it should have been done pretty fast. You should file complaint through this page: http://passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/ccgm/logRequestHomeAction. If no action is taken contact this:http://passport.gov.in/cpv/complaints.htm and file a RTI.
Dear sir i hope you are good?i have some doubts in my passport ,i don’t have ECNR in my passport only ECR.am not passed sslc kerala board .but i have certificate from imphal(manipur) but am afraid to submit that certificate to passport office 4 this ecnr purpose because i dnt knw its valid or not.am expecting your valuable replay. thanks
@Sneha
All valid documents are listed on this page: http://www.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/onlineHtml/NonEcrDocuments.html
Dear Sir,
This is Karthick ,I am a Citizen Of India. I have been selected as a Employer with MTS,Oman, Muscat. MTS Management made a three months employment visa & send to me (Copy). I am unable to travel because I am having ECR passport. In India Immigration they requested to get ECNR Passport & I am unable to travel on that day. I am applied for ECNR passport. I am having old passport too. They will reissue the New ECNR passport with in this week end (10/01/13). My doubt is can I come there with the same visa. Please clarify my doubt and help me please.
Yours Sincerely,
Karthick
@Karthick
Visa on old passport would remain valid. You need to carry both old and new passports together.
Hi Pankaj,
Is it possible for someone to help carry your indian passport out of india to US while the owner of the passport is in US. The passport was issued in 2008 in India but was not ready before I left India so I travelled on my US passport and I have not been able to go back to India since then. And since India does not allow dual citizenship (I was born in India, my father is American, mother indian), is it still possible to use the Indian passport and cancel my US citizenship being that it has been 4 yrs since I acquired indian citizenship?
Your reply will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Em
@Emma
I don’t think there should be any issue in getting Indian passport through somebody else to US.
i have paid income tax together for last 2 years can i get ecnr passport cauz i am having ecr stamped on my passport how many days it will take ? Will i be issued new passport?
I have stcw 95 course (Shipping) done from goverment recognized institute which was for 11 days i have a Id card issued from them but i dont have (cdc) can i also get ecnr on basis of this?
Thanks
@Sameer
You would need following proofs for getting ECNR on basis of ITR
i) 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
ii) Applicants submitting NILL income tax return statement are not eligible.
Your passport would be reissued for ECNR status and time taken would be same as required in new passport issue.
sir, i saw your answers regarding the passport, i need ecnr and in my passport my name is SHAIK MINHAJ AHMED and in SSC SHEIK MINHAZ AHMED i am going to dubai on visit visa and thereafter the company assured me to provide employment visa, please solve my problem, thanking you.
@Minhaj
As there is name difference, you may not get ECNR on basis of 10th class certificate.
You can get emigration clearance from PoE (protector of emigrants) office.
thank u sir for your valuable suggestion, am from karimnagar (A.P.) where i got the POI sir and what process sir may i book online or not please sir consider me i have no time
@Minhaj
As you are going for visit visa, you won’t need ECNR status.
Once you are back with employment visa, you can get emigration clearance from PoE office.
PoE office in AP is located in Hyderabad at following address: 8th Floor, Chandra Vihar Complex, Opp. Exhibition Ground, M.J. Road, Hyderabad. You can apply online on this website: http://www.poeonline.gov.in/
I am planning to go to Sri Lanka and Singapore during this month end. I have got my visa / return ticket. My passport is stamped ECR, where as I am only going as tourist and I am having PAN Card and now just over 50 years of age and a PSU employee. Please advise whether there would be any issue for ECR status passport or there is nothing to worry for tourist visa as per Govt order dated 01.10.2007.
@Subhajit
A tourist does not need ECNR stamp/status for visiting any country.
Enjoy your trip!
i have visit visa, protector of emigrants will be issued only on job visa, i asked “i am going to dubai on visit visa and thereafter the company assured me to provide employment,
and my name in passport SHAIK MINHAJ AHMED and in SSC SHEIK MINHAZ AHMED, what will i do, and i have taken passport in the year 1998 and renewed 2008 please sir give suggestion. i have to go this month last week, please consider me
thank u sir and one more to know, for obtain protector of emigrant i should come India or at dubai sir, now am visit visa, after employment visa, pls sir need advice sir greatwork sir, thanks sir
@Minhan
You won’t need ECNR/Emigration clearance while you are outside India. It would only be checked when leaving from India.
Emigration clearance can only be taken from India.
sir, there is any other option is left, without visit India, for PoE?
for getting poe?
@Minhaj
You can get passport reissued outside India for ECNR status.
My Grandson is having a Valid Passport which is valid till April 2014. On his existing Passport, there is a remark that he is having ECNR Status is valid till 28.09.2012, when he became a major. This means that he comes under ECR status after 29.09.2012. He is Special Child with a disability called Autism. What is required to do if he has to get ECNR Status now?
@Jairam
Unless he needs to travel to one of the listed countries for employment, he won’t need to get ECNR status.
In case he needs same, please check this page for all eligible documents: http://www.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/onlineHtml/NonEcrDocuments.html
Hi sir,
I have a indian passport with ECR stamp, issued in 2006. I came to canada on student visa for Masters, I applied for Police Clearance Certificate to nearest Indian consulate 5 months back, as im applying for PR in canada. My frnds applied to the same office and got PCC in 2 weeks. why in my case they are under going police verification in india? and its taking too much time..
@Arun
We don’t have much idea about Police verification. This post is regarding ECNR stamp only.
ok.. Iam working in canada with ECR stamp in my passport.. Do i need ECNR? will there be any problem for Canada Immigration caz of ECR stamp?
@Arun
You won’t need ECNR status unless you are leaving from India for any of the listed 17 countries (Canada is not in this list) for employment.
sir, i am leaving to dubai on visit visa after getting job i will come and take POE from India and in my passport and ssc there is small mistake remain same i.e., in my ssc my name is SHEIK MINHAZ AHMED in my passport SHAIK MINHAJ AHMED, in getting POE there is any problem then?
@Ahmed
There is no problem as of now as you are going on Visit visa.
Good Day!
Hope you are fine Sir.
Sir I previously asked you a question regarding Ecnr. Sir I wanted to ask can I also apply for ecnr status for my wife passport which was issued recently 3 months before. Can I and my wife apply together on my income tax return file? The passport will be issued fresh so is there any police verification required? There will be no changes in my personal particulars and current address for both of us.
Your help will be most appreciated
Thanks & Regards….
Sameer
@Sameer
Yes, you can apply for ECNR for your wife as well on your IT return. As passport was recently issued, it may not need police verfication again.
For spouses, certificate signifying relation would be needed for ECNR:
i) An attested copy of marriage certificate issued by the Marriage Registrar needs to be submitted. For verification, spouse’s name needs to be endorsed in the applicant’s passport.
OR
ii) Joint Affidavit as per Annexure D
AFTER GOT JOB VISA in getting POE there is any problem then?
my name is SHEIK MINHAZ AHMED in my passport SHAIK MINHAJ AHMED, WHAT WILL I DO
@Minhaj
There is no PoE office outside India and you cannot get emigration clearance there. But you can get passport reissued with ECNR status.
This page has all relevant documents for getting ECNR: http://www.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/onlineHtml/NonEcrDocuments.html In case any of these have your name spelled same as in passport, you can use that. Else get your name spelled same in passport as it is in other documents.
Thanks for your reply . Doing a great job . And what about my passport it was issued on 24/06 2011 will i require police verification for ecnr status.
Thanks & regards….
@Sameer
In case address and other details remain same, police verification may not be needed.
sir, all the documents my name is SHAIK MINHAJ AHMED but in ssc SHEIK MINHAZ AHMED, i am leaving india on visit visa i have no time to change all, after getting job i will return to India for obtaining POE, then any problems arises? i am taking permission for one week only from DUBAI COMPANY.
@Shabbir
There won’t be any issue.