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Are you planning to move abroad for work or studies? Then you must have come across the term ECNR, which stands for Emigration Check Not Required. It is a mark of the authorization given in Indian passports that allow the holder to travel abroad without having to go through the emigration process.

What is ECNR?

The Emigration Check Not Required (ECNR) status is granted to Indian passport holders who have certain qualifications. These qualifications include holding a professional or educational degree from a recognized institution, having passed the 10th-grade examination with English as a subject, or having two years of work experience in a profession listed on the ECNR list.

In addition, the ECNR status allows holders to travel to countries that require an emigration check for Indian citizens without needing to obtain one. This can simplify the travel process and make it easier for Indian citizens to find employment opportunities abroad.

Benefits of having an ECNR Stamp on an Indian Passport

An ECNR stamp in your Indian passport allows you to travel to countries that have been designated as “emigration countries” without having to obtain emigration clearance from the Government of India. This is a convenient way to travel if you are a citizen of India who frequently travels to these countries for business or pleasure.

The benefits of having an ECNR stamp on your Indian passport include:

  1. You do not need to obtain emigration clearance from the Government of India when traveling to designated emigration countries.
  2. You can save time and hassle by not having to go through the process of obtaining an emigration clearance.
  3. You may be able to avoid certain fees that are associated with obtaining an emigration clearance.
  4. You can rest assured knowing that you meet the requirements for travel to designated emigration countries.

Who is eligible for ECNR?

Emigration Check Not Required (ECNR) is a status granted to passport holders who are deemed to be “educated” or ” skilled” by the Government of India. Also, the ECNR status exempts the holder from the Emigration Clearance Required (ECR) category, making it easier for them to obtain a visa and travel to certain countries.

To be eligible for ECNR, Indian passport holders must meet one of the following criteria:

  • Have completed secondary education (10 years of schooling) or higher
  • Have a bachelor’s degree or higher
  • Have a professional or technical qualification from a recognized institute
  • Have two years of work experience in a profession or trade

How to apply for ECNR?

The process for applying for an ECNR stamp is as follows:

  • Fill out the online application form on the website of the Ministry of External Affairs.
  • Submit the completed form, along with the required documents, to the concerned authorities.
  • Pay the prescribed fee for the service.
  • Once your application has been processed, you will receive an ECNR stamp on your passport.

ECR Countries

ECR (Emigration Check Required) countries are the ones where the Indian government requires its citizens to obtain an emigration clearance before leaving for employment purposes. The ECR list includes 20 countries:

  • Bahrain
  • Kuwait
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Oman
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Malaysia
  • Libya
  • Indonesia
  • Syria
  • Jordan
  • Lebanon
  • Yemen
  • Sudan
  • Afghanistan
  • Iraq
  • Nepal
  • Thailand 
  • Turkmenistan
 

Furthermore, prospective employers in these countries must apply for an Employment Permit from the Protector of Emigrants (POE) office in India. Lastly, Indian citizens seeking employment in any of the ECR countries listed above must also undergo pre-departure orientation at an Emigration Clearance Officer (ECO)/ POE office.

Emigration Check Not Required

Furthermore, if you have an Indian passport, you do not need to get an emigration check (ECNR) stamp before traveling to countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia. The ECNR stamp is only required for citizens of India who are traveling to certain countries for employment purposes.

ECNR Application

If you are planning to travel abroad for employment or immigration, you will need to get an Emigration Check Not Required (ECNR) stamp on your passport. This can be done at the nearest Indian Mission or Passport Office.

The process of applying for an ECNR stamp is fairly simple. You will need to submit a completed application form, along with the required documents and fees. Besides, the processing time for an ECNR application is typically about two weeks.

Moreover, once your application is approved, you will receive a new passport with the ECNR stamp. This passport will be valid for five years from the date of issuance. After that, you will need to renew your passport and reapply for the ECNR stamp.

Emigration Check Required

As per the latest rules set by the government of India, all citizens who wish to emigrate to another country for work purposes are required to obtain an Emigration Check Required (ECNR) stamp in their Indian passport. This is a new rule that has been put into effect from 1st January 2021 and applies to all Indian passport holders who are aged 18 years and above.

To get the ECNR stamp, applicants will have to submit certain documents like their educational qualifications and professional experience certificates. They will also have to pass an emigration clearance test conducted by the Protector of Emigrants (POE). Once they have cleared all these requirements, they will be issued an ECNR certificate which they can then use to get their passports stamped with the ECNR stamp.

The main purpose of this new rule is to protect the rights of Indian citizens who wish to work abroad. With the ECNR stamp on their passport, they can be assured that they will not be subjected to any kind of exploitation or forced labor by their employers. This will help them lead a safe and secure life while working in another country.

ECNR Suspension

Many people are not aware that they may need to have an Emigration Check Not Required (ECNR) stamp on their Indian passports. This is because ECNR is required for certain categories of workers who wish to travel to certain countries for employment.

There are four main categories of workers who require ECNR:

  1. Those who are seeking employment in a country that has ratified the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families;
  2. Those who are going to work in a country that has bilateral agreements with India on the recruitment and conditions of employment of Indian migrant workers;
  3. Those who are highly skilled professionals or technicians classified as ” Scheduled Emigrants” by the Government of India; and
  4. Those workers who have been offered employment in a company or organization listed in the Schedule III of the Emigration Act, 1983.

Lastly, the process for getting an ECNR stamp is fairly simple. You will need to submit a completed application form, along with your passport and two photographs, to the nearest office of the Protector General of Emigrants. Your application will be processed and, if approved, you will be issued an ECNR stamp. Lastly, there is a small fee for this service.

Emergency ECNR

To travel to most countries, Indian citizens need to apply for a visa. However, some countries do not require a visa for Indian citizens. These countries include Bhutan, Nepal, and Mauritius. For other countries, Indian citizens can get an Emergency Certificate of No Record (ECNR).

The ECNR is issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and is valid for one year from the date of issuance. The ECNR is required for those who have lost their passport or had them stolen. It is also required for those who are traveling on an emergency basis.

There is no fee for the ECNR. Those who need the certificate can apply for it at any MEA office in India.

Summary of ECNR Stamp in Indian Passport

ECNR status is an abbreviation for ‘Emigration Check Not Required’. Moreover,  it is a status granted to certain people who are not required to obtain emigration clearance from the Office of the Protector of Emigrants (POE) before going to specified countries for employment.

To be eligible for ECNR, Indian passport holders must:

  • be above 18 years and below 60 years of age,
  • have completed secondary education (Class 10), and
  • possess skills that are in demand in the country of destination.

Passport holders with ECNR status can travel to countries that have signed the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. As of May 2019, these countries include Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.