ECR and ECNR status in Indian passports: A guide

The first thing you think of when you want to travel outside of the country is a passport. Typically, a passport is an official document issued by the government certifying the identity and nationality of the holder.

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According to the Indian Emigration Act 1983, there are two types of Indian passports: ECR and Non-ECR category.

What is an ECR passport?

ECR full form is Emigration Clearance Required. The Emigration Act regulates the emigration of skilled workers, semi-skilled workers and unskilled workers, as well as professionals such as nurses, periodically notified of employment opportunities abroad in 18 countries.

In order to start working abroad in these 18 countries, people whose passports have a stamp must obtain emigration clearance from the Protector of Emigrants (POE).

Countries that require ECR

Here are 18 countries that need clarification for those with ECR passports:

Yemen
Qatar
Malaysia
Lebanon
Jordan
Iraq
Afghanistan
Oman
Libya
Indonesia
Saudi Arabia
Thailand
UAE
Syria
Kuwait
South Sudan
Bahrain
Sudan

What is a Non-ECR passport?

A Non-ECR (previously ECNR) passport stands for an Emigration Clearance Not Required. These are for people who have an educational degree and are looking to travel for business or pleasure.

Emigrants with ECNR passports can travel anywhere in the world without clearing the immigration process. Those who have passed the 10th grade in India will be able to get the ECNR.

Difference between an ECR and a Non-ECR passport

An old booklet passport without an ‘ECR’ stamp (which is usually affixed to page 3) is called a non-ECR passport. In the case of the new passport booklets, there’s an ECR above the name of the father/legal guardian column on the last page.
In the absence of a stamp or printed indication of ECR status on a passport book, the passport is considered a non-ECR passport ( ECNR).

Eligibility Criteria for a Non-ECR passport

The following groups of people are eligible for a non-ECR passport:

All Indians who have earned at least their 10th-grade education and have the required documents
People over the age of 50
Individuals with a Diploma in Polytechnic from an accredited institution
Individuals who hold the Diploma in Nursing under the Indian Nursing Council Act (1947)
People who have spent three years abroad
Individuals who hold permanent residency/immigrant visas in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia
Government employees, their spouses, and their children
Diplomatic and official passport holders
All taxpayers (including those with agricultural income), their spouses and children under the age of 18

Documents required for Non-ECR in passport

Non-ECR category	Document(s) required
Diplomatic/official passport holders	The only requirement is a Diplomatic passport.
GAZETTED Government employees, their spouses and their children.	As a gazetted government employee, you must submit either Your identity certificate (in accordance with Annexure A) or Your No Objection Certificate (in accordance with Annexure G) or Your Prior Intimation Letter (PI) (in accordance with Annexure H). Gazetted government employees’ spouses need to provide Identity certificate (in accordance with Annexure A) or A copy of the marriage certificate attested by the registrar For dependent children of gazetted government employees, please submit: Identity certificate (in accordance with Annexure A) or Birth certificate issued by the municipal authority or by any office authorised by the registrar of births and deaths to issue Birth certificates or The applicant’s last school certificate / secondary school certificate / certificate issued by a recognised board from the school the applicant attended last or any other recognised formal educational institution or Copy of the passport of the government employee
Individuals with matriculation and higher educational qualifications	Certificate of Matriculation or Higher Education
Persons over 50 years of age	Birth Certificate issued by the Municipal Authority or by any office authorised by the Registrar of Births and Deaths to issue Birth Certificates Or The applicant’s last school certificate / secondary school certificate / certificate issued by a recognised board from the school the applicant attended last or any other recognised formal educational institution
All children under the age of 18. (Upon re-issuance of a passport after 18 years, they will need to provide documents proving they do not fall into the ECR category, or else ECR stamping will be done.)	Birth Certificate issued by the Municipal Authority or by any office authorised by the Registrar of Births and Deaths to issue Birth Certificates
Individual taxpayers (including agricultural income taxpayers), their spouses, and their children under the age of 18 who are dependents on them	For individuals who pay income taxes Evidence of income tax assessment and actual payment for the past year or A statement of income tax paid by the applicant for the past year, stamped by the income tax authorities, and a copy of the PAN card For spouses An attested copy of the marriage certificate issued by the Marriage Registrar is required. The spouse’s name must be endorsed in the applicant’s passport before the application can be verified. For dependent children Birth Certificate issued by the Municipal Authority or by any office authorised by the Registrar of Births and Deaths to issue Birth Certificates or The applicant’s last school certificate / secondary school certificate / certificate issued by a recognised board from the school the applicant attended last or any other recognised formal educational institution.
Persons holding a two-year diploma from an institute recognised by NCVT or SCVT, or those holding a three-year diploma from an institution authorised by the Central Govt. of India or State Govt. of India.	Certificate of passing issued by the Institute
Indian Nursing Council Act-1947 certified nurses	Certification as a nurse
Any professional degree holder, their spouses, and their dependent children.	Diploma or certificate from a professional degree For spouses An attested copy of the marriage certificate issued by the Marriage Registrar is required. The spouse’s name must be endorsed in the applicant’s passport before the application can be verified. For dependent children Birth Certificate issued by the Municipal Authority or by any office authorised by the Registrar of Births and Deaths to issue Birth Certificates or The applicant’s last school certificate / secondary school certificate / certificate issued by a recognised board from the school the applicant attended last or any other recognised formal educational institution.
People who have been abroad more than three years (the period of three years may be continuous or broken) and their spouses	A copy of the passport (the first two and last two pages, including the ECR or Non-ECR page and any observations made by the passport issuing authority) For spouses An attested copy of the marriage certificate issued by the Marriage Registrar is required. The spouse’s name must be endorsed in the applicant’s passport before the application can be verified. It is mandatory for the applicant to submit a written statement detailing all dates of exit from and entry into India, as well as providing a copy of his or her passport.
Those who possess a Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC), as well as Sea Cadets and Deck Cadets	Certificate of Continuous Discharge
Permanent Immigration Visa Holders, such as individuals with UK, US, and Australian visas.	Copy of the immigration visa for the country of stay or the permanent residence card for that country

Documents to be submitted to check Non-ECR status

To get non-ECR status, you must submit the following documents:

Form EAP-2 filled out
A Cash or Demand Draft of Rs 300 is required.
Original passport
Proof of address
Two attested copies of any of the eligibility criteria listed above
Two copies each of the first four pages and the last four pages of the passport

How to remove ECR Stamp from passport?

Visit passport.gov.in and click on miscellaneous services to download the application.
Select the deletion request for Emigration Checks
Two photocopies of your 10th grade and 12th grade certificates, and college diploma are required. All certificates must be attested.
As proof of address, include voter IDs, ration cards, electricity bills, employer ID cards, phone bills, lease agreements, and pan cards.
You will need to submit the completed form along with the necessary documents at the passport office. There is a fee of Rs.300.

FAQs

In the event that Indian passport holders want to travel to the above countries for leisure or something other than employment, do they need to obtain an ECR stamp?

No, not anymore. The requirement for Indian passport holders to obtain an ECR stamp has been eliminated from 1 October 2007 for travel to the above countries for reasons other than employment.

What will parents need to do if their child's passport shows ECR status?

If a child has ECR stamped on their passport, their parents will need to apply for a reissue of their passport through the Passport Seva Kendra website or by visiting a Passport Seva Kendra centre.

Will a passport holder travelling to a country other than those listed above have to obtain an emigration clearance?

The passport holder does not need to apply for emigration clearance before travelling to any other country.

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