Beyond Borders: Decoding ECNR in Passports

Many Indians and citizens of other nations have passports or would like to have them. A passport is most useful for allowing you to leave the country. A passport is one of the most essential documents that you need to present when you apply for a visa to the country you wish to visit. Passports are required even though documents such as international travel insurance may not be mandatory for every country. You may want to know the different types of passports, and their associated terminologies if you are yet to apply for one. ECNR is a popular passport type you can apply for. What is ECNR? Who can apply for this passport? Find out.

What is ECNR ?

The term ECNR stands for Emigration check not required. The term non-ECR is also referred to. If you need to have an ECR passport (Emigration Check Required), the passport will include the term. ECNR, however, is not printed in the passport. You may have an ECNR passport or a non-ECR one if the term ‘ECR is not printed on your passport. If you hold an ECNR, then you won’t be required to go through an emigration test. If you are required to go through an emigration test, you must be cleared by the relevant authorities each time you travel out of the country to work. You may need to undergo an emigration test if you hold an ECR passport instead of a non ECR/ECNR. The educational requirements are one of the most important requirements for obtaining an ECNR. You may not be eligible for an ECNR Passport if you haven’t passed Standard 10.

Documents required to get an ECNR passport

You may need to provide certain documents depending on which category you belong to if you want a non-ECR. The following are the different categories that you might be required to meet to obtain an ECNR.

Category of ECNR	Documents Required
You are a government employee who has been gazetted	Identity Certificate per Annexure A or No Objection Certificate per Annexure F OR Prior Intimation (PI) Letter per Annexure H
You are the spouse of a gazetted government employee	Identity Certificate in accordance with Annexure A OR an attested copy issued by the Registrar of Marriage.
You are the dependent child of an gazetted public servant	Identity Certificate according to Annexure A OR birth certificate issued by Municipal Authority or any office authorized by Registrars of Births and Deas or School leaving certificate/ Secondary SchoolLeaving certificate/ Certificate from Recognized boards of the school the applicant last attended or any other recognized education institution OR Passport Copy of the government employee
You can use your matriculation certificate	Certificate proving your education (matriculation or higher).
You must be over 50 years old	Birth Certificate issued by Municipal Authority, or by any office authorized by the Registrar of Births & Deaths to issue Birth & Death Certificates OR SchoolLeaving Certificate / Secondary SchoolLeaving Certificate/ Certificate of Recognized boards from the last school attended by the applicant OR any other recognized educational institution
Children (under the age of 18)	Birth Certificate
You may be liable to pay income tax	The proof of advance tax payment must be supported with additional documents. NIL income-tax return statement is not eligible.
If your spouse pays income tax	A certified copy of the marriage license issued by the Marriage Registry is required. The applicant must have the name of their spouse endorsed on the passport.

You can apply for ECNR Passports under these categories. You can use the passport to travel across borders, including for work, into many countries without needing to go through emigration check. On the official Passport India site, you can find a few more categories. Prepare well in advance for your trip abroad. Prepare well in advance for your trip. Travel Insurance Some countries may require it. Even if it is not mandatory, having International travel insurance You can navigate through some of the difficulties you might face while abroad. *