Non-ECR Passport

Indian passports are usually assigned an emigration status when they are issued. Therefore, they can either be ECR or Non-ECR passports. A non-ECR category means, in a passport, the holder does not need an emigration check at the airport.

Non-ECR passports are also called ECNR passports (Emigration Check Not Required). Children under the age of 15 are automatically assigned ECR status passports. In simple terms, having a Non-ECR passport means you can travel overseas without going through an emigration check at the airport.

Meanwhile, ECR passports have an orange cover which helps emigration officers quickly identify them. It helps to streamline the emigration checking process. ECR passports are issued to individuals who do not have the required educational qualifications (10th pass) or certifications for a Non-ECR passport.

The key difference between ECR and Non-ECR passports is the requirement of an emigration check at an airport. ECR passports usually have an orange cover, while Non-ECR passports have a navy blue cover. Additionally, ECR passports do not include the last page in them, also known as the address page or non-ECR page in passports. This is to protect the citizen’s details and to prevent mistreatment from foreign employers while ECR passport holders work overseas.

If you’re looking to apply for a non-ECR passport in India, here are the documents you will need to present, depending on what category you fall under.

• Eligibility Criteria

• Diplomatic and Official Passport holders.

• Gazetted government servants, their spouses and children.

• All individuals with educational degrees/certificates with matriculation or higher secondary qualifications (10th pass).

• Anyone over the age of 50.

• Income-tax Payers (including Agricultural Income-tax Payers), their spouses and children.

• Children up to 18 years of age - For a passport re-issue after reaching 18 years.

• Individuals possessing two-year diplomas from any institute recognised by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT)/State Council of Vocational Training (SCVT).

• Or individuals holding a three-year diploma/equivalent degree from institutions such as Polytechnics recognised by the Central/State Governments of India.

• Nurses possessing qualifications recognised under the Indian Nursing Council Act of 1947.

• Professional Degree holders (Anyone with a Bachelor’s degree or higher), their spouses and dependent children.

• All individuals who have been staying abroad for more than three years (the three years could be either in one stretch or in parts) and their spouse

• Seamen with a Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC), Sea Cadets and Deck Cadets.

• Persons holding Permanent Immigration Visa, such as UK, USA and Australia visas.

• Documents Required for a Non-ECR passport

• No additional documents are required besides their diplomatic/official passports.

For Gazetted Government Servants (Any One Of These):

• Identity Certificate under Annexure A

• A No Objection Certificate under Annexure G

• Prior Intimation Letter (PI) under Annexure H

For Spouses Of Gazetted Government Servants (Any One Of These):

• An Identity Certificate under Annexure A

• A copy of the marriage certificate issued by the Registrar of Marriages

For Dependent Children Of Gazetted Government Servants (Any One Of These):

• Identity Certificate as per Annexure A

• Birth Certificate issued by a Municipal Authority authorised to issue a Birth Certificate under the Registrar of Births and Deaths

• A School leaving certificate/TC from the school last attended by the applicant from any Recognized Boards or any other recognised educational institution

• Passport copy of the government servant

• 10th pass certificates, mark sheets, and other higher education certificates, if any.

• Birth Certificate.

• School TC (Transfer Certificate).

The Applicant:

• Proof of payment of income-tax for the past year.

• Income-Tax return statements (with income tax being paid by the applicant) for the past year stamped by income tax authorities.

• Copy of the PAN card.

Applicants submitting NILL income-tax return statements are not eligible.

For Spouses:

• A copy of the marriage certificate issued by the Marriage Registrar must be submitted.

• The spouse's name must be on the applicant's passport for verification.

For Dependent Children:

• A Birth Certificate issued by a Municipal Authority or any office authorised to issue a Birth Certificate by the Registrar of Births and Deaths.

• A School leaving certificate/TC from the school last attended by the applicant from any Recognized Boards or any other recognised educational institution.

• A Birth Certificate issued by a Municipal Authority or any office authorised to issue a Birth Certificate by the Registrar of Births and Deaths.

• Pass Certificate/Degree issued by the Institute.

• Nursing Certificate

The application process for a Non-ECR passport is pretty simple. If you have all the necessary documents, your passport should be dispatched within 4 - 7 days after verifying all your documents.

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