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
dear sir
I m going to Dubai in january and i come in march. and Sir my passport made in 2012 now I want to go Dubai but now my passport number not see in enquire what can i do for this. and visa is ready
@Arhana
Not able to understand your question.
Dear sir greeting of the day.
My passport have ecr. I want to vist dubai in vist visa can i travel in that ecr stamp?
Thank you!
@Fazlur
As you are not going for employment, you won’t need ECNR status and can travel with ECR.
Dear sir thank you somuch for your replied.
I went to vishakapatnam airport wd valid return ticket and vist visa after geting bording pass emigration officer didnt allowed me to travel bcoz of not having ecnr stamp. Shall i tray from mumbai airport?? Please help me to find the solution sir
Once again
Thank you!
your need a emigration clearence from POE office.. http://www.poeonline.gov.in visit this website and filled the emigration form and visit our nearest POE office with our passport,visa,work agreement,Prabasi bhartiya bima policy, after 3 to 4 working days it will be issued and sent to you..
@Fazlur
Did officer at airport asked you that you wish to take up employment there? If you said yes, he may have denied you.
May be he also marked your passport number in system, so leaving from Mumbai now may be denied.
Hi Pankaj,
I’ve applied for passport & I’m eligible for non-ECR category. Following are my queries.
1) I have a birth certificate but my name isn’t mentioned on it. Can I submit my SSC (10th) passing certificate issued by Maharashtra State Board of Secondary Education as Date of Birth proof?
2) I’m a tax payer in indivdual capacity. Can I still submit SSC passing certificate as proof of non-ECR?
3) What do mean by “Proof of assessment of income tax and actual payment of income tax for last one year” and “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”? The passport website mentions these documents as proof for non-ECR for tax payers.
Regards,
Rushikesh Patne
@Rushikesh
1. If Date of Birth is before 26/01/1989, only birth certificate is accepted for date of birth. Otherwise 10th class copy would also work.
2. Yes, you can get ECNR based on 10th class copy. No need to ITR proof.
3. If you are filing income tax return and have paid some tax in last assessed year, then an assessment order (order 143 from IT department) along with form-16/form 26AS would be required.
I WANT NEW PASSPORT BUT I LEAVE IN MUMBAI MY HOME TOWN ALIPUR DUAR HOW TO KEEP MY NEW PASSPORT APPLY IN MUMBAI .
PLEASE HELP ME
@Rikesh
If you are applying in Mumbai, you will have to mention local address as present address and provide address proof for same too.
Dear sir,
my new passport is a Ecnr one. But my visa is old passport no that one is Ecr now how to travel into qatar for my employment purpose.
@Pragathi
Carry both passport and visa on old passport would still be valid.
SIR, I PASSED (FAZIL)FROM ARABIC & PERSIAN BOARD UTTER PERDESH. IS THIS QUALIFICATION ENOUGH FOR (ECNR) PLZ, GUIDE ME.
@M.Rahman
I am not sure about it, but if you have matric certificate you would be eligible.
Hi mr. Pankaj ….
1) First of all thank you for your precious guidance to everyone. ….
2) Second: I just want to know is there any poe office in Bangalore Karnataka? ?
3) how much it’ll cost to emigration done on ecr passport ??
Hope to listen by your side soon
@Mohammed
There is no PoE office in bangalore. Nearest offices are below:
1. Protector of Emigrant office Cochin
3RD Floor Putherickal Building, Market Road, Ernakulam.
Kerala – 682035
Tel. No. 0484-2360187
2. Protector of Emigrant office Chennai
Tamil Nadu Housing Board Complex, Ashok Nagar,
Chennai-600 083
Tel No. 044-2489 1337
3. Protector of Emigrant office Hyderabad
8th Floor, Chandra Vihar Complex, Opp. Exhibition Ground,
M.J. Road, Hyderabad.
4. Protector of Emigrant office Trivandrum
Suganth, 24/846 (I), Thycaud,
Trivandrum-695 014
Tel No. 0471-2324835
It should not cost more than 1000 rs.
Dear sir, my passport ECR Record and my visa UAE abudhabi work permit visa just i need clarify,Example i am apply new ECNR Passport Passport office give new passport and attached old passport,my visa is old passport number mention but my new passport inside
old passport number and file number is mention so i am travel to abudhavi possible,
Sir please give me sedation (ASAP)
@Mohammad
Visa on old passport is still valid. You need to carry both passports.
Hello Sir,
Thanks for you responses. I have reached DUBAI without any issues..
Appreciated your help!!
Respected Sir,,i have employment contract from Saudi Arabia, parvasi bhartiya bima policy,valid passport for 9 years,valid visa but sir i have not matrulation passed certificate.
when get start emigration to unskilled person from Mumbai POE office Sir,, my visa validity remain only one month….my Saudi Arabia employment visa stamped on 29 sept..2014. kab se unskilled emigration dena start karega sir..sir please help me..i am so worried. please sir…[email protected]
@Mominul
We are not sure from when emigration clearance would start for unskilled employees.
Dear Sir,
I am in UAE and want to bring a maid. I got the entry permit for her but having doubt about emigration status. She has Worked in UAE before for more than 3 years, she is 56 years old. Her old passport was ECR category. New passport issued in 2009. Nothing mentioned about ECR in new passport. Could you please tell me does she need to do emmigration clearance. Cos if ECR status i have a procedure to do in Indian consulate and pay 10,000Dhs deposit. If she does not need Emigration then no need to pay the deposit. Can you please reply me as early as possible.
Thank you.
@Maria
She already has ECNR status by default, as new passport does not have ECR stamp.
Pankaj Sir.. I have applied for emigration clearence at POE Mumbai office but now it wll be no Emigration Status At POE MUMBAI Website..my R agent tell me your Application has been submitted last week of Oct. my passport is ECR stamped. i am not matriculation passed….when it will be issued and when i recieved my visa and passport.tell me sir about Mumbai POE office working time and day….please help me sir….my company friend At Saudi Arabia waiting for me……
@Abaidul
Please contact on below address:
Protector of Emigrant office Mumbai
Building “E” Khira Nagar, S.V. Road, Santacruz (West),
Mumbai-400 054
Tel No. 022-2614 7393
We have received new passport but that also ECR in visa their is old passport no. So there is any problem to go to UAE.
@Anish
Carry both old and new passport and there won’t be any issue.
Thanks! What about travel to Hong Kong for employment. Is ECNR status required
@TM Prasad
For Hong kong, ECNR is not required.
Dear Sir,
This is yasar I have doubt regarding Ecnr stamp.
I have ecr stamp on my passport but iam applied for ecnr stamping they are asking sponsorship declaration letter attested with indian consultation. What is that mean.
And also sir, my visa validity is 90 days but till now here 65 days completed in india. How many days to go to saudi before expire of visa.
And also please clarify there is any visa renewal process is there. And what is procedures and how much amount is required and what are the documents are required for that.
Regards,
Yasar md
@Yasar
You need to ask your employer to send attested offer letter from Indian embassy in Saudi.
We have no idea about visa renewal processes.
Respected sir
1.i got the emegration from mumbai, for doha qatar. can i leave from delhi international airport and
2.how i know that the emegration is correct or fake i my passport …is any link provided by the poe of india to check the status…
@Nazruddin
If you have got emigration clearance from PoE office, you can travel from any airport.
We have no information on cross checking emigration clearance stamp.
Thanks sir for your response i wanna know after temporary ecnr stamp on passport how much validity is there…
@Nazurddin
It valid for single exit and sometimes also allowed if you are traveling for same country and employer after a short visit.
Thanks a lot
sir please tell me
1. is it possible to get my ecr passport into ecnr status from doha qatar after reaching there in doha? can i submit my 10th certificate in doha qatar or not??
@Nazruddin
Yes, you can get passport reissued in Qatar for ECNR after submitting 10th class copy.
Is one year tax return is enough to remove ecr
@Christopher
You would need following documents:
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.
Thanks for reply..Sir..my first time journy to KSA..i dnt know about flight journy. Please tell me about pre deperture…how to done all required work at Airport.
Dear Sir,
i have visa UAE work permit visa
my passport is ECR i am given passport office
change ECNR,but passport office issue new passport
ECNR and correction only father name,
but my visa old passport number mention,
and new passport correction father name
same to SSC certificate like this,
possible bidout issue travel to Abudhavi,
please give me answer clearly (ASAP)
Thanks&Rigads,
Gulab khan
@Gulab
Your visa with old passport number would still be valid, You need to carry both new and old passports.