ECR and Non-ECR (ECNR) Passport

What is Non-ECR Passport?

A Non-ECR or ECNR (Emigration Check Not Required) passport is issued to Indian citizens who meet specified educational or professional criteria. Currently, this includes individuals who: 

1. Have completed 10th class or higher 

1. Holds a professional degree or diploma 

1. Work in skilled occupations 

A non-ECR passport holder do not require emigration clearance and can travel abroad freely for work, study, or tourism. This passport provides more freedom to work and reside internationally, without prior government permission, unlike the ECR passport. 

How to Know if Your Passport is ECR or Non-ECR?

• Old type passport booklets 

1. In the older style of Indian passport, there used to be a stamp showing ECR status. 

1. If you open the passport and a stamp that says “Emigration Check Required” is not visible on the third page, then that passport is considered a non-ECR passport.
   

2. New type passport booklet

1. On a new booklet, a stamp with words “Emigration Check Required” is printed on the last page just above the line where your father’s or legal guardian’s name appears. 
   

3. No mention of ECR anywhere

1. If you do not see “Emigration Check Required” printed or stamped anywhere in the passport, then it automatically means that the passport is non-ECR (earlier known as ECNR). 

Eligibility Criteria for Non-ECR Passport

The eligibility criteria for non-ECR passport are mentioned below: 

1. Those who have finished their studies after 10th grade can obtain a non-ECR passport and those with degrees or diplomas from approved colleges fall under this category 

1. No matter what their educational background, government workers, their spouses, and dependent children can obtain a non-ECR passport 

1. Those who paid income taxes in the highest tax bracket can also obtain a non-ECR passport 

1. Professionals who belong to recognized professional groups, such as doctors, engineers, chartered accountants, and others, can obtain a non-ECR passport. 

1. People who are above 50 years of age are eligible for a non-ECR passport regardless of their educational qualification. 

1. Spouses and dependent children of a non-ECR passport holder are also eligible for a non-ECR passport. 

1. Nurses possessing qualifications recognised under the Indian Nursing Council Act are eligible for non-ECR status. 

1. All children below 18 years of age automatically fall under the non-ECR category. 

1. Seamen who hold a Continuous Discharge certificate (CDC0 or are listed in the National Database of Seafarers are eligible for non-ECR passports.  

Eligibility Criteria for ECR Passport 

The eligibility criteria for ECR passport are as follows: 

1. Indian passport applicants who do not have any documents to prove that they have passed class 10 

1. Indian nationals who have not passed class 10 

1. Adults (above 18 years) applying for employment in certain countries notified by the Government of India. 

1. Individuals who do not fall under any Non-ECR or ECNR category as defined by the Ministry of External Affairs. 

Documents Required for Non-ECR Passport

The following common documents may be required for a non-ECR passport:

1. Completed EAP-2 Form 

1. The original passport 

1. Income tax certificate 

1. Provide proof of address, such as an Aadhaar card, water or electricity bill, etc. 

1. Make two copies of your passport's first four pages and the last four pages. 
2. Proof of educational qualification (10th pass certificate or above, or degree/diploma certificate) 

Optional documents depending on category: 

1. Proof of government service or professional qualification for non-ECR eligibility. 

1. Documents for spouse/dependent children if applying as non-ECR based on family. 

Documents Required for ECR Passport 

The required documents for a ECR passport are as follows: 

1. Proof of address such as utility bills, Aadhaar cards, etc.

1. Emergency contact 

1. Annexures as required 

1. Any available educational qualification certificates 

1. Passport application form (EAP-2) 

1. Original passport in case of renewal  

Non-ECR Exemption List

The following people will not be subject to Emigration Check Required passport even if they travel to the above-mentioned nations:

1. ECR requirements are typically eliminated for those with educational credentials equal to a degree or above 

1. Non-ECR passports may be available to individuals, including skilled labourers, engineers, and physicians 

1. The non-ECR group frequently includes government employees and their dependents 

1. Non-ECR passports are often available to Indian citizens living abroad (OCIs). 
2. Children below 18 years are considered non-ECR by default. 

1. Individuals above 50 years of age are exempt from ECR. 

1. Income-tax payers (proof of required) are eligible for non-ECR. 

1. Professionals in recognized fields (e.g., nurses with recognized qualifications) are eligible. 

1. Spouses of non-ECR passport holders are exempt from ECR. 

Documents Required to Verify Non-ECR Status

The following needs to be submitted to get non-ECR status:

1. Filled Form EAP-2
2. Original passport
3. Address proof
4. 2 attested copies of any of the eligibility criteria mentioned above
5. 2 copies each of first 4 and last 4 pages of the passport

1. Educational proof (10th pass certificate or above/ degree/ diploma). 

1. Any other document that proves eligibility under non-ECR exemption categories such as income tax certificate, government service ID etc. 

Procedure to Remove ECR Stamp from Passport

If an individual does not fall under the ECR passport category it is mandatory to remove the ECR stamp from the passport to avoid legal consequences. The procedure to remove an ECR stamp from the passport is as follows:

To convert to ECNR and remove the ECR stamp, follow the steps given below: 

1. Apply for a new passport 

1. Choose the option to change ECR status to non-ECR

1. Provide proof of Class 10+ education, ITRs, or documents related to your profession 

1. Make an appointment and attend the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK/RPO).

1. A new passport that is not an ECR will be issued to you. 

List of Countries that Require ECR Clearance

The following are 18 countries which require clarification for those who carry ECR passports:

1. Yemen
2. Saudi Arabia
3. Thailand
4. United Arab Emirates (UAE)
5. Syria
6. South Sudan
7. Qatar
8. Malaysia
9. Lebanon
10. Jordan
11. Iraq
12. Indonesia
13. Bahrain
14. Afghanistan
15. Oman
16. Kuwait
17. Libya
18. Sudan

Emigration Offices in India

The following are the list of emigration offices in India along with their address and Jurisdiction: 

Be Money - Smart with our App