Travelling throughout the world has become more accessible in recent years. With an Indian passport, you can easily travel abroad for business, education, or leisure. The passport will be marked as either ECR or ECNR as proof of citizenship. 

ECNR is a stamp on a passport indicating that the holder doesn't need emigration clearance when travelling abroad. The criteria for ECNR are that an individual should have a minimum educational qualification of 10th grade or possess an income tax payer status. 

Remember that non-ECR or ECNR has no difference; both are the same, and stamps are no longer being issued.

Let's better understand the meaning of the ECNR passport and its criteria.

The full form of ECNR is Emigration Check Not Required, and ECNR in a passport signifies that the holder is not required to undergo an Immigration Check. 

According to the Emigration Act of 1983, certain Indian passport holders must obtain an Emigration Clearance from the 'Protector of Emigrants' office before travelling to certain countries.

Passports issued after January 2007 without a specific notation are known as ECNR (Emigration Check Not Required) passports. Indian citizens who fulfil specific government criteria will receive ECNR status, which will be mentioned in their passports.

Consequently, they can travel abroad for employment or other purposes without emigration clearance from the Protector of Emigrants.

ECR (Emigration Clearance Required) is an orange passport introduced in 2018. It is issued to individuals who have not completed their 10th standard or cannot prove it with certificates. Holders of ECR passports must undergo emigration checks.

This type of passport is mainly issued to enable work in countries like Indonesia, UAE, Iran, etc. The Indian government has implemented strict rules to safeguard citizens with lower educational qualifications working in foreign nations.

Here is the list of applicants eligible for ECNR:

1. Diplomatic/Official passport holders

2. Gazetted Government employees, their spouses and dependent children

3. Income taxpayers, their spouses and dependent children

4. Professional degree holders

5. People with educational qualifications of matriculation and above

6. Seamen with Continuous Discharge Certificates (CDC) or Sea Cadets and Deck Cadets

7. People with permanent emigration visas, such as the UK, USA and Australia

8. Individuals with a two or three-year diploma from any institute recognised by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) or State Council of Vocational Training (SCVT)

9. Qualified nurses, recognised under the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947

10. People above the age of 50 years

11. Individuals who have stayed abroad for more than three years (could be in one stretch or broken) and their spouses

When you initially apply for a new passport or renew your current one, you can get an ECNR endorsement if your old passport already has one. If your old passport does not have ECNR, it is an Emigration Check Required (ECR) passport. You can update your passport to remove the ECR status and obtain a new passport with ECNR status.

Passports have a 5-year validity period for minor applicants or are valid until the minor turns 18. Till then, these passports are considered ECR passports. However, once the minor turns 18, they must provide proof of ECNR eligibility when applying for a new passport.

You can apply for ECNR in passport online using these simple steps:

1. Visit the Passport Seva Official Portal and Log in:

Go to Passport Seva’s official website and register or log in if you have already registered.

2. Apply for a Fresh Passport:

While applying for a fresh passport, click on “Apply for Fresh Passport”.

3. Fill Out the Form:

Fill out the form with the required details accurately.

4. Get all the Documents Upload and Submit:

Gather all the required documents and ensure that they are ready to upload. Then submit them.

5. Pay the Fees and Schedule an Appointment:

Pay the required amount and schedule your appointment at the nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).

Remember to check the eligibility criteria and meet the requirements before applying for ECNR.

Applying for ECNR offline involves these simple steps:

1. Download the Application Form: Visit the official Passport Seva portal and download the Miscellaneous Application form (EAP-2), or visit the nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) to collect the form.

2. Get All the Required Documents: Provide all the documents, such as proof of address and all documents supporting eligibility for ECNR.

3. Fill Up the Form accurately: Fill out the form manually with all accurate details. 

4. Submit the Application Form and Pay: Then, apply yourself or through a representative (carrying your signed authority letter) or by registered post. Also, pay ₹300 as passport fees via Demand Draft (DD).

The process of obtaining an ECNR stamp typically takes three to four days from the date of application. You can expect a relatively quick process when applying for an ECNR endorsement. Processing delays may occur if the application still needs to be completed.

Here are the benefits of Non-ECR or ECNR in passports

1. If you have an ECNR passport, you can avoid the emigration inspections and receive faster clearance. 

2. An ECNR passport holder can pursue a higher degree abroad.

3. Having ECNR status enhances your employability when seeking job opportunities abroad.

4. ECNR passports have longer validity than ECR passports.

5. An ECR passport protects employees from exploitation when travelling to any country mentioned in the list of ECNR passports. 

6. By obtaining an ECNR endorsement, you reduce the chances of falling victim to fraudulent recruitment agents or employers.

If a passport doesn't have an "Emigration Check Required" (ECR) stamp, it's considered non-ECR (ECNR). To confirm, check the following things on your passport and double-check with the passport authorities or official guidelines.

1. If an old booklet passport has no ECR stamp on page 3, it's a non-ECR passport.

2. If in the new passport booklet, 'Emigration Check Required' is printed above the Name of Father/Legal Guardian column.

3. If the passport does not have an ECR status stamped or printed, it is a non-ECR passport.

Remember, if your passports issued after January 2007 may not require specific individuals' Emigration Check (ECR) endorsement. 

To check your ECNR status, you need to submit the following documents.

1. Filled in Form EAP-2

2. A fee of ₹ 300 through Demand Draft or in cash

3. Original passport

4. Address proof

5. Two copies proving any of the eligibility criteria mentioned above. They should be attested.

6. Two copies of each of your passport's first four and last four pages.

To Remove the ECR Stamp from your Passport, follow these steps.

1. Visit the official passport website.

2. Select "Re-issue of Passport”

3. Fill out the form with the necessary details

4. Select ‘Deletion of ECR’ or the ECR removal option.

5. Provide the necessary documents such as 10th, 12th, and college certificates.

6. Pay the Application Fees.

7. Submit the completed form to the nearest Passport Seva Kendra.

If you wish to travel abroad for employment, you must first convert your ECR passport to an ECNR passport. The steps are listed below.

1. Log in to the Passport Seva official website and download the application from the miscellaneous service.

2. Then, mention the Emigration Check Required deletion request.

3. Next, provide two photocopies of your college passing certificates, and standard 12th and 10th certificates as well. These certificates must be attested.

4. Provide an address proof. It can be your Voter ID, electricity bill, phone bill, lease agreement, etc.

5. Carry your PAN card.

6. Pay a fee of ₹300.

7. Submit your passport, plus two photocopies of the first and last four pages.

8. Finally, submit your form and the necessary documents to the closest passport office.

These pointers will help you better understand ECNR in your passport.

An ECNR passport (Emigration Check Not Required) has significantly eased the process for Indian citizens to travel internationally since these are exclusively issued to individuals who meet specific educational criteria. 

An ECNR passport holder is exempt from undergoing an emigration check when travelling abroad, thereby streamlining international travel by negating the need for additional permission during emigration.