What is ECNR in Passport?
- Author :
- TATA AIG Team
- ●
- Published on :
- 05/07/2022
Anyone travelling overseas can verify the importance of maintaining a checklist of the necessary travel documents, which includes travel insurance, Visa, Forex card, flight tickets, proof of accommodation, and most importantly, the passport. The passport helps officials verify the identity and nationality of an individual who is undertaking a journey abroad. And while ideally, you would like to insure everything valuable to you – a lot of times, this opportunity might not be available.
With Tata AIG, insuring your trip is a hassle-free process. And if you end up losing your passport due to theft, you can file a travel insurance claim that reimburses the necessary expenses incurred to obtain a temporary duplicate or a new passport. Considering how important this travel document is, it becomes crucial for every Indian globetrotter to know the two categories of the Indian passport basis our Emigration Act of 1983:
- The ECR Passport and
- The ECNR Passport
In this article, we will focus on what the ECNR passport means, who requires it, and how it can be procured.
Understanding the Difference Between the ECR Passport and the ECNR Passport
ECNR’s full form is Emigration Check Not Required, whereas ECR stands for Emigration Check Required. Under the Emigration Act of 1983, certain designated Indian passport holders who wish to work abroad need to get an emigration clearance from the “Protector of Emigrants” if they wish to work in certain countries.
Essentially, all travellers who have not cleared 10th grade or do not possess passing certificates are expected to undergo the emigration check. This policy has been introduced to provide freedom of work for individuals who wish to work outside of India in countries such as UAE, Iraq, Thailand, etc.
Just as a comprehensive travel insurance plan adds a protective cover against disruptions in the journey, the objective of the ECR check is to safeguard the interests of Indian citizens in foreign countries. Children under the age of 15 get the ECR passport by default.
Contrarily, having an ECNR means individuals can travel to foreign countries without the need of having to go through an emigration clearance.
All applicants who belong to the ECR category have their ECR status printed on their passports. However, the former practice of having an emigration check not to require a stamp for those who belong to the ECNR has been removed, and now there is no such specific mention on their passport.
Which Countries Need the ECNR Check?
The ECNR check is only required when travelling to work in any of the enlisted 18 selected countries: -
- Afghanistan
- Bahrain
- Iraq
- Indonesia
- Kuwait
- Jordan
- Libya
- Lebanon
- The United Arab Emirates
- Malaysia
- Qatar
- Oman
- South Sudan
- Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Sudan
- Thailand
- Syria
- Yemen
An ECR passport holder travelling to any of the aforementioned countries on an employment visa will have to undergo an emigration clearance. For any other type of visa, however, this check is not required.
Who Can Apply for the ECNR?
Following are the default categories of individuals who fall under the ECNR category: -
- Individuals who have an educational qualification over 10th grade and possess all the necessary documents to verify the same
- Individuals who possess a diploma from institutes recognised by either the National or the State Council for Vocational Training
- Individuals who hold a Diploma in Nursing as stated under Indian Nursing Council’s Act-1947
- Gazetted Government Officers along with their spouses and children
- Diplomatic and Official passport holders
- Individuals holding either a permanent immigration/resident visa for countries such as the U.S., the U.K. and Australia
- Individuals who have spent more than 3 years abroad
- Individuals ageing 50 and above
- Income Taxpayers (including those belonging to the agricultural fraternity) along with their respective spouses and children (who are under the age of 18)
Documents Required to Apply for the ECNR
Depending on the kind of applicant (who wishes to figuratively get the emigration check not required stamp), the documents required vary. Here are the categories against which the specified documents need to be produced before the passport official:
| Category | Documents |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders | Aside from the diplomatic passport any other document is not required |
| Gazetted Government Officials along with their respective children and spouses |
Any one of the following for the Gazetted Government official:
Any one of the following for the Gazetted Government employees’ children:
Any one of the following for the spouses of the Gazetted Government employees:
|
| All individuals who have cleared matriculation and have higher education | Certificates of passing matriculation and/or higher education |
| Individuals ageing 50 and above | Any one of the following for individuals over the age of 50: 1. Birth certificate. 2. Certificate of leaving the school. |
| Children over the age of 18 (in the case of passport re-issuance once they reach 18) | Birth certificate that has been issued by an authorised officer or school leaving certificate |
| Income Tax payers along with their dependent children and spouse |
For income taxpayers:
1. Proof of income tax (IT) assessment along with the payment of income tax for the past financial year.
2. A stamped copy of the Income Tax return statement by the Income Tax authorities along with a copy of your PAN card.
For the income tax payers’ spouses:
For dependent children of the income tax payers:
|
| Professional degree holders along with their children and spouses |
For the professional degree holder:
Degree certificate. For professional degree holders’ spouses:
|
| Individuals with a Diploma in Vocational Training from either the National or State Councils (NCVT/SCVT), or individuals who have a 3-year diploma or an equivalent degree from a recognised institution by the State or Central Governments of India | Certificate of passing issued by the institution |
| Individuals holding a Diploma in Nursing under Act-1947 of the Indian Nursing Council | Passing certificate from the Nursing Institute |
| Individuals (and their spouses) who have lived overseas for over three years | For the individuals who have lived abroad:
In addition to the aforementioned, a statement that includes all the details of entry, as well as exit dates, has to be submitted along with the passport for verification by the applicant. |
| Individuals holding an immigration/resident visa | Copy of the Permanent Resident Card or the immigration visa of the country in which the person is presently living in. |
Conclusion
To conclude, a passport is an important travel document and even if you are an excellent trip planner, unexpected events such as the loss of your passport might occur and delay your journey adding to the travel expense. To secure your journey against such circumstances, travel insurance is of great help. A comprehensive travel insurance plan will not only reimburse the expense incurred to obtain a duplicate or a new passport, but also cover for accidents and illnesses, give the necessary travel assistance, help with loss or delay of baggage, give a hijack cover, and do much more so you can enjoy a relaxed journey overseas.
Disclaimer / TnC
Your policy is subjected to terms and conditions & inclusions and exclusions mentioned in your policy wording. Please go through the documents carefully.
