It is very important to understand the purpose of ECNR and often many people confuse with ECR and ECNR.
As of Oct 1, 2007 Government of India has abolished Emigration Check Required Suspension (ECRS), as a result of this The Indian Passport Office no longer stamps ECNR stamp in new passports by default if you have passed class X or income tax payee. But ECR stamp is being put in passports if applicant is not eligible for ECNR.
No emigration clearance is required for visiting Bangladesh, Pakistan and all countries in Europe (excluding CIS states), North America, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, South Africa and Singapore.
If the passport does not have ECR stamp, the applicant is deemed to have been granted ECNR status. No ECNR stamp will be affixed on the passport.
Why do you need to remove ECR from your passport?
Passport holders with ECR stamp affixed who leave the country for employment purpose require emigration clearance from the office of Protector of Emigrants (POEs). Otherwise, they will be stopped from travelling at the port of exit. For more information, please see this page.
How to remove ECR seal from your passport and obtain ECNR status?
The procedure is very easy and you have to apply for “Deletion of ECR” in the passport office in your city.
1. Download the FORM 2 application for Miscellaneous services. Download here
2. Mention the service requested as “Deletion of ECR status”
3. Attach copies of your class x, +2, college degree certificates as proof for education along with address proof. You can also produce PAN card with 3 years income tax receipts (sometimes it is asked).
4. Hand over your original passport at the counter and it should take about 2-3 days to get the whole process done..
PERSONS ON WHOSE PASSPORTS ECR STAMPS WOULD NOT BE AFFIXED:
(a) All holders of Diplomatic/official Passports.
(b) All GAZETTED Government servants.
(c) All Income-Tax payers (including Agricultural Income-Tax Payees) in their individual capacity. Proof of assessment of income tax and actual payment of income tax for last one year or copy of PAN card to be insisted upon, and not merely payment of advance tax. However, in most cases as an assessment order is not issued separately by the income tax department, income tax returns which are stamped by income tax authorities can be accepted.
(d) All professional Degree holders, such as Doctors holding MBBS degree or equivalent degree in AYURVED or HOMEOPATHY, accredited Journalists, Engineers, Chartered Accountants, Cost Accountants, Lecturers, Teachers, Scientists, Advocates, etc.
(e) Spouses and dependent children of category of persons listed from (b) to (d).
(f) All persons having educational qualifications of matriculation and above.
(g) Seamen who are in possession of CDC or Sea Cadets, Deck Cadets;
(i) who have passed final examination of three years B.Sc. Nautical Sciences Courses at T.S. CHANAKYA, MUMBAI; and
(ii) who have undergone three months Pre-Sea training at any of the Government approved Training Institutes such as T.S.CHANAKYA, T.S. REHMAN, T.S. JAWAHAR, MTI (SCI) and NIPM, CHENNAI, after production of identity cards issued by the Shipping Master, MUMBAI/KOLKATA/CHENNAI.
(h) Persons holding Permanent Immigration Visa, such as the visas of UK, USA and Australia.
(i) Persons possessing two years diploma from any institute recognized by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) or State Council of Vocational Training (SCVT) or persons holding three years’ diploma/equivalent degree from institutions like Polytechnics recognized by Central/State Governments.
(j) Nurses possessing qualifications recognized under the Indian Nursing Council Act. 1947.
(k) All persons above the age of 50 years.
(l) All persons who have been staying abroad for more than three years (the period of three years could be either in one stretch or broken) and their spouses.
(m) All children up to the age of 18 years of age. (At the time of re-issue at the age of 18 years, ECR stamping shall be done, if applicable)..
Note: The information given above is for general information only and may not be interpreted as professional advice. For specific information and procedures, please call the passport issuing office in your city directly.
You can get the phone numbers on the respective passport office websites below:
Source: http://passport.gov.in/
Official Website Passport Office: http://passport.gov.in/
Application Forms Download: http://passport.gov.in/cpv/Forms.htm
