What is a non-ecr category in the passport mean?

If you want to learn more about non-ECR passports, then you are in the perfect place, as you can get all the details here. Indian citizens need to go through the emigration check required passport ECR passports if they want to work in some nations. As per the emigration act of 1983, the passport holders that are authorized need to go through the emigration clearance from the protectors of the emigrants’ office even before they travel to any country.

Non-Emigration Check required passport is issued to people who do not have to go through the emigration check if the passport has some specific marking. The ECR passport is the one that does not have any notice indicating that it is applicable to the passports issued before January 2007.

What is non-ECR?

Non-Emigration Check required passport is ideally a passport where you do not have to go through any emigration check to work in some countries. Earlier it was known as ecnr. Your passport is most likely to be under the category of non-ECR passport if you have just cleared 10th grade or have a higher education degree. The passport is mainly for citizens of India who are qualified well and look forward to traveling abroad for work or business-related purposes. If you want to have a NECR passport, then you need to submit some documents to the passport office to clear the verification process during the application for the passport

ECR versus non ECR

If you were wondering what NECR passport vs. ECR passport is, then you need to know that the significant difference here is that if you have an ECR passport, then you have to go through the emigration check, while if you have non ECR passport, can you do not have to go through any check? The countries that need emigration clearance include Afghanistan, Indonesia, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Yemen. The clearance for the ECR passport holders mainly safeguards the unskilled workers from being exploited when they work beyond Indian borders in unskilled jobs. The clearance process ensures that you go through a certified agent and that you are protected from all exploitation and fraud. If you fall under the NON-ECR category of Indian Passport, there is no need for you to go through any check.

You need to check the eligibility criteria to understand if you fall under the NON-ECR category of Indian Passport or not.

Eligibility for non-ECR

• Firstly you need to have the matriculation certificate if you want to get a non-ECR passport.
• Every individual above 18 years can get a non-ECR passport, but they have to provide some quality proof to be eligible for that. On the flip side, kids below the age of 18 can quickly get a non-ECR passport.
• Everybody is eligible for the non-ECR passport, including taxpayers and agricultural taxpayers. Even the spouse and the kids of these taxpayers are eligible to get a non-ECR passport.
• All the government employees and the officers, including their spouses and children, can get the non-ECR passport.
• If you have a Polytechnic institute degree, professional degree, or permanent visa, then also you can apply for a non-ECR passport.                                              

Is it possible for you to convert the ECR passport into the nonecr passport?

As you have now understood what non ECR category in your passport means, now you need to know if it is possible for you to convert the ECR passport into a non-ECR passport. Yes, you can easily convert the ECR passport to the non-ECR one. You can apply for the deletion of that status if something in your life changes that help you qualify for the non-ECR one. For instance, if you are getting married or your education or age has changed in a way that makes you eligible for this passport, then you can go for this one.

How can you convert the ECR passport into ecnr?

It is pretty easy for you to convert the ECR passport to the non-ECR one if you are sure that you are eligible for the non-ECR passport.

All you need to do is follow the steps given here to convert your ECR passport to the non-ECR one.

• To change your passport status, you can apply for the passport reissue option so that your passport can be changed from ECR to non-ECR.
• You should choose the option yes if you are applying for the reissue as you would be asked a question that is you eligible to apply for this category?
• Whenever you are visiting the passport officer, you end up uploading the proof during the non-ECR passport process. You have to submit all the details that will prove your eligibility, including the 10th pass certificate, degree certificate statement of income, etc. It all depends on the criteria after eligibility.

How can you check if the passport is ECR or non-ECR?

Your passport is most likely to have a stamp notation or a complete text written emigration check required if you fall under the category of ECR. If your passport is before 2007, then you would know that it must be a stamp earlier, but for today’s passport, you will find the text written on the passport address page. Your passport is under the non-ECR category if you do not find any text or notation on your passport.  There is no such rule that they have to submit the stamp for discontinuation

What documents do you need to submit for non ECR passport?

Depending on what status you fall in, you need to carry some documents which are relevant to support your non-ECR category. Some of the most common documents are mentioned here

• 10th class certificates
• You can carry your bachelor’s and master’s degrees depending on what corresponding certificates you have.
• You need to submit your birth proof if you are above 50 years.
• You need to submit the certificate if you have a diploma or a Polytechnic degree.
• A nursing certificate is a must if you’re a nurse.

Steps to remove the ECR stamp from your passport

After you have understood what the non-ECR category in a passport means, you also need to learn the steps to remove the ECR stamp from the passport.

• You need first to visit the official passport Seva website and download the application from the service given.
• You need to submit, firstly, the request for deleting your emigration check request.
• Now you need to submit two photos of your passing certificates from school or college, that is, 12th standard and 10th standard. Ensure that you attest to the certificates.
• You have also to provide proof of address which includes an electricity bill, and a lease agreement phone bill.
• You have to carry the pan card and pay fees of INR 300.
• Besides submitting the current passport, you also have to submit two photocopies of your first and last four pages.
• You can submit this form besides the necessary documents in the passport office in your proximity.

It’s all you need to know about the non-ECR category in your passport. Whenever you are applying for a passport, you would be asked a question about whether you are eligible for non ECR passport or not. You can check the eligibility criteria mentioned here to give the perfect answer. You will be either for the ECR passport or non-ECR passport.

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