What is ECR & Non-ECR Category passport? How to create a new passport? [ECR Vs Non-ECR]

Passport is needed whenever we have to go out of the country, whether it is in relation to job or travel or business.

A passport is a document issued by the government of a country that certifies the citizenship and identity of its holder for international travel.

According to the Emigration Act of India, 1983: –

There are specific categories in Indian Passport which require ‘Emigration Clearance’ from the office of ‘Protector of Emigrants (POE)’ before going to some countries.

But does this requirement apply in all conditions?

No, yes.

According to this Act, Emigration refers to an Indian citizen who decides to leave the country with the intention of getting employment in certain countries.

Indian passports are divided into two categories which are as follows: –

1. ECR Category Passport

ECR means the “Emigration Check Required”.

But who needs this emigration check?

The government of India has taken ECR for the protection of Indian citizens in view of legal conditions and different circumstances in other countries. Launched the category.

The Protector of Emigrants and the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs have placed the weaker sections of the society like children, illiterate workers etc. in the category of Emigration Check Required so that they cannot be exploited and protect their interests by taking them abroad. |

For this, an investigation is done in which it is done on the basis of education, age, marital status etc. of a person what kind of passport is given to him.

When applying for a passport, if a person is not 10th pass or he has not applied the high school mark sheet and certificate while submitting the document, then in this case the passport which is made is called ECR passport.

Passport holders of ECR ​​category are required to seek clearance from the Immigration Officer before leaving the country for employment.

Emigration means migration. Migration is called migration to any other country in connection with any reason such as crisis or employment. People who go to another country for work are called Emigrant and in times of crisis they are called refugees.

For which countries is immigration clearance necessary?

According to the Bureau of Immigration of India (BOI), emigration clearance is required before knowing in the following countries: –

Note: For reasons other than employment in any of the countries mentioned above, such as treatment or ECR for traveling. Passport holders are exempted. 

ECR passport holders will be allowed to leave the country if they show a valid passport, valid visa and return ticket at the immigration office at any international airport in India.

2. Non ECR Category Passport Means

Non ECR category means or ECNR means “Emigration Check Not Required to”.

As the name suggests, only educated and qualified Indian citizens in the ECNR category are counted who are going out of this country in connection with any work, business or travel.

Whenever an Indian citizen passes 10th standard, he can get a non-ECR on his passport and there is no need to check with the immigration office.

One thing to note here is that if a person does not give information about his high school, then his passport will go into the ECR category.

What are the conditions for ECNR category? Proof for Non ECR Category Passport

If you are applying for a passport, then you have to fall into some of the categories mentioned below to go to the non ECR category.

If you fall into one of the following categories, then you will also have to submit documentary proof.

• Official and diplomatic passport holders
• Gazetted government officials, their spouses and dependent children
• All persons with high school (pass) and above educational qualification
• Persons above 50 years of age and children up to the age of 18 years
• Income tax payers (including agricultural income tax payers), their spouse and dependent children
• All professional degree holders such as doctors, journalists, engineers, accountants, lecturers, teachers, scientists, lawyers etc. and their dependent families
• All those nurses recognized under the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947
• People doing diploma from any recognized polytechnic institute
• Marine Cadets and Deck Cadets, plus people working at sea
• All persons who have been living abroad for more than three years
• Persons holding documents like green card, permanent residence card etc.

ECR Vs ECNR | Choose which option in Passport Application Form?

Whenever you fill in the passport form, you are asked this question?

Are you eligible for Non-ECR Category?

To answer this question, you have to tick “YES” or “NO”.

If you have completed class 10 or above or if you fulfill the conditions of non ECR category mentioned above and can submit documents related to it then you will have to select ” YES “.

If you have not completed matriculation or high school and do not follow the terms of any ECNR category, then you will have to choose ” NO ” here.

How to know if my passport is in ECR or Non ECR category?

If there is no stamp in the passport issued before January 2007 in India,  then it falls in the ECR category.

After January 2007 and in today’s time: –

If you have ECR In the category, the Emigration Check Required will be printed on the back of your passport (next to the bar code).

If the ECR on your passport If not printed then it means your Passport falls in the non-ECR category.

No separate non-ECR stamp will be affixed on your passport. 

What is “OK to Board”?

There are some countries where Indians need something other than a visa before going, which is called “OK to Board”.

This process is necessary for some airlines without which passengers will not be allowed to travel to these countries.

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Which countries need “OK to Board”?

“OK to Board” is required before going to these countries: –

• United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi
• Kuwait
• Bahrain
• Oman
• Queue

Who needs “OK to Board”?

“OK to Board” is mandatory for the following categories: –

• ECR Category Passport Holder
• Travelers with print-outs of Labor and Work e-visa

What to do for “OK ​​to Board”?

If you are traveling to any of the countries mentioned above and you fall in the “OK to board” category then you will have to give a copy of your visa to the airline with whom you booked your air ticket.

The airline will accept your ticket after checking your visa and mark the PNR of your ticket as “OK to Board”.

Please note that if your PNR while traveling. “OK to board” does not show then you cannot fly in any way.

How to change ECR in Passport to Non ECR Category?

By now you must have come to know that it is very important to pass at least high school for ECR category.

Not only this, while filling the passport application form, it is very important to put a mark sheet and certificate of High School.

Now suppose someone later passed the matriculation examination, then he was eligible to get the ECNR category.

Not only this, even if there are some changes in your life so that you can fulfill the conditions of non ECR category mentioned above, you can still change your passport.

For this, you have to apply for passport again and choose the ‘passport re-issue’ option.

“Are you eligible for Non-ECR Category?” To tick “YES”.

After that whatever important documents are there, you have to submit them.

If all the documents are correct then your new ECNR category passport will arrive within a few days of applying.

And finally …

I hope you have understood the difference between ECR Vs Non ECR category in passport.

You must also have known what proof you need to apply for non ECR category passport.

You must have understood the requirements of these different categories of Passport and the meaning of “Ok to Board” before traveling abroad.

It is my endeavor to give you all the information in very simple language which you have no problem in understanding.

That is why I have tried to touch all the aspects so that there is no hindrance in your foreign travel.