Passport Emigration Check Required [ECR] Questions and Answers [FAQs]
Emigration Check Required (ECR) is a status on certain Indian passports for individuals, usually based on education level (below matriculation), who must obtain clearance from the Protector of Emigrants (POE) before traveling to 18 specific countries for employment.
I have a Passport with ECR status printed on it. What does this mean? Emigration clearance is required for employment in the following countries (18 in total): United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Malaysia, Libya, Jordan, Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Syria, Lebanon, Thailand, and Iraq. ECR Passport holders taking up employment in the above-mentioned list of 18 countries require emigration clearance from the office of the Protector of Emigrants (POE) before leaving India; otherwise, they will be stopped from traveling at the port of exit. Please Click Here to download the instruction booklet. ECR Passport holders traveling abroad for a purpose other than employment, to any of the list of 18 countries, will be allowed to leave the country on production of valid Passport, valid visa and return ticket at the immigration counters of an international airport in India.
What are the categories eligible for Non-ECR status and what documents do they have to submit? To view the complete list of Non-ECR categories and the documents to be submitted, please click on “Documents Advisor” link on Home page.
I have ECR status in my Passport. Can I get it on the basis of my provisional matriculation or above certificate issued by the University/Board concerned? You need to apply for Re-issue of Passport for deletion of ECR. You are entitled to Non-ECR status if you possess qualification of Matriculation or above from recognized Board/University. You can get Non-ECR status on the basis of provisional matriculation certificate if the mark sheets of all semesters/years of your course are available with you. To check the complete list of Non-ECR categories, please click on “Documents Advisor” link on Home page.
I am a salaried person and income tax is deducted from salary. What are the documents I need to submit for Non-ECR status? Following documents have to be submitted for Non-ECR (previously ECNR) status:
• Proof of assessment of income tax and actual payment of income tax for last one year; or • Income Tax returns 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. • Please note that applicants submitting NIL income tax return statements are not eligible for ECNR.
For complete list of documents to be submitted along with the application form, please click on “Documents Required” link on Home page.
I have a Passport with ECR status. Is emigration clearance required if I want to visit a country other than the list of 18 countries mentioned in the instruction booklet? No, emigration clearance is not required, Emigration clearance is required for employment in the following countries (18 in total): United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Malaysia, Libya, Jordan, Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Syria, Lebanon, Thailand, and Iraq. ECR Passport holders taking up employment in the above-mentioned list of 18 countries require emigration clearance from the office of the Protector of Emigrants (POE) before leaving India; otherwise, they will be stopped from traveling at the port of exit. Please Click Here to download the instruction booklet. ECR Passport holders traveling abroad for a purpose other than employment, to any of the list of 18 countries, will be allowed to leave the country on production of valid Passport, valid visa and return ticket at the immigration counters of an international airport in India.
