What is ECNR in Passport?
- Author :
- TATA AIG Team
- ●
- Last Updated On :
- 02/12/2024
Travelling overseas has never been easier than in today’s time. This is made possible by new and relaxed travel policies, which allow travellers to enter certain countries without much hassle. One such step is ECR and ECNR on passports, which permits individuals to travel without going through frequent emigration checks.
Now, you may wonder what ECNR is and how you can check your ECNR or ECR passport status? All these questions are answered here, so read along to learn more.
What is ECNR on Passport?
ECNR (Emigration Check Not Required) is a seal or endorsement on passports that indicates the passport holder does not need to undergo immigration checks by the authorities. It certifies that the passport holder has met certain criteria that permit them to travel overseas without emigration checks before every journey.
-How to Check ECNR or ECR Passport Status?
To check the ECNR or ECR passport status, you need to go to the second page of your passport. There, you will find the endorsement affirming that (Emigration Clearance Not Required) for ECNR passport holders.
For passports issued after 2007, categories like government employees, professionals and individuals holding educational qualifications above a certain level automatically get the ECNR passport.
ECNR Passport Eligibility Criteria
Here is a list of individuals who are eligible to get ECNR on passports:
Diplomatic or government passport holders
Gazetted government officials, their spouses and dependent children
Individual taxpayers, their spouses and children
Graduates and diploma holders from recognised polytechnics
Matriculation certificate holders
Individuals with permanent residence or immigration visas for the UK, USA and Australia
Nurses with diploma degrees recognised under the Indian Nursing Council Act 1947
Individuals above the age of 50 years
Minors who are below 18 years of age
Individuals who spent 3 years or more abroad
Also Read: How to Apply for a Passport in India?
How to Apply for ECNR on Passport?
-Step 1: Visit the official website of Passport Sewa.
-Step 2: On the homepage, click to create a new profile on the website.
-Step 3: After you have created your profile, apply for a fresh passport.
-Step 4: On the application form, you will find the ECNR option. Click on it and fill in the required information carefully.
-Step 5: Next, you need to upload a set of documents which is listed on the site. Upload them all carefully for the verification procedure.
-Step 6: Now, submit the form and proceed with the application fee payment.
-Step 7: After paying the application fee successfully; download the payment receipt for further processing.
-Step 8: Next, you need to schedule an appointment with your nearest Passport Seva Kendra.
-Step 9: Reach the Passport Seva Kendra with your payment receipt, original and photocopies of required documents for the verification process.
-Step 10: Once the verification is completed, you will receive your passport.
Required Passport ECNR Documents
While applying to clear ECNR passport eligibility, you need to submit certain documents. These documents are different for every individual according to the categories under which they fall. Here is the list of documents for each category of applicants:
| Category of ECNR Applicant | Documents Required |
|---|---|
| Gazetted Government Servant | Prior Intimation Letter as per Annexure H |
| No Objection Certificate as per Annexure G | |
| Identity Certificate as per Annexure A | |
| Spouse of a Gazetted Government Servant | An attested copy of the issued marriage certificate |
| Identity Certificate as per Annexure A | |
| Dependent Child of a Gazetted Government Servant | Passport copy of the government servant |
| Birth Certificate issued by any office authorised to issue Birth Certificate or by Registrar of Births and Deaths Municipal Authority | |
| School leaving certificate or Secondary School leaving certificate or Certificate of recognised boards from the last attended school | |
| Matriculation Certificate Holder | Certificate to show your enrollment of educational qualifications in matriculation |
| Individuals above 50 years of age | Birth Certificates issued by the Municipal Authority or any office authorised to issue Birth and Death Certificates. |
| School leaving certificate or Secondary School leaving certificate or Certificate of recognised boards from the last attended school or any other recognised educational institution | |
| Income Tax Payer | Proof of assessment of income tax and actual payment of income tax for the past year |
| An Income Tax return statement for the past year stamped by income tax authorities with a copy of the PAN card is also required. | |
| Advance tax proof of payment supported by additional documents. | |
| Proof of assessment of income tax and actual payment of income tax for the last year. | |
| Spouse of Income Tax Payer | Submit an attested copy of the marriage certificate issued by the Marriage Registrar. For verification, the spouse's name must be endorsed in the applicant's passport. |
| Children (under 18 years of age) | Birth Certificate |
ECNR Vs ECR Passport
People often confuse ECNR and ECR passports, thinking they are the same. Although they are both passport-related terms, they have different meanings.
-Meaning
ECNR: ECNR stands for Emigration Clearance Not Required, which ultimately means that having this stamp on your passport certifies that you do not need to go through the emigration clearance process.
ECR: ECR stands for Emigration Clearance Required, which means you need to go through the emigration clearance process to enter certain countries.
-Emigration Clearance Requirement
ECNR: ECNR passport holders do not need to get emigration clearance before travelling.
ECR: ECR passport holders need to get emigration clearance before travelling to certain countries.
-Purpose
ECNR: These are required for the people who are travelling to countries with no emigration check requirements.
ECR: ECR is crucial for Indian professionals or labourers who are travelling to countries with labour-related problems.
-Documents Required
ECNR: ECNR passport holders require less documentation as proof.
ECR: ECR passport holders need to provide necessary and some additional documents as proof.
-Categorisation
ECR: The ECRN passport is issued to individuals who fulfil certain requirements, exempting them from the emigration process.
ECR: ECR status is given to individuals based on their educational qualifications and employment category.
How to Remove ECR Stamp from Your Passport?
Step 1: Go to the official Passport Seva website.
Step 2: From the homepage, you need to log into your existing profile.
Step 3: Next, you need to select the passport re-issuing application form.
Step 4: On the application form, you need to select the option of ECR removal.
Step 5: Next, to prove your eligibility for an ECNR passport, you need to submit the required documents, such as your matriculation or graduation certificate.
Step 6: Other than your educational documents, you also need to submit your address proof and date of birth document.
Step 7: Next, you need to make payment for the application fee using the provided payment method.
Step 8: After the payment has been completed successfully, download your payment receipt containing the ARN number, which will be required for further steps.
Step 9: Next, you need to book an appointment for the verification process at your nearest Passport, Seva Kendra.
Step 10: Reach the Passport Seva Kendra on your scheduled appointment with your documents, payment receipt and old passport for further processing.
Also Read: Tatkaal Passport: Fees, Procedure and Documents Required
Countries With ECNR Passport Requirement
Here is the list of countries where ECNR passports are mandatory in order to enter their border.
| Bahrain | Indonesia | Kuwait |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates (UAE) | Malaysia | Libya |
| The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) | Sudan | Thailand |
| Iraq | Brunei | Oman |
| Qatar | Lebanon | Syria |
| Jordan | Afghanistan | Yemen |