How to Change ECR to Non-ECR in Passport?

An Emigration Check Required (ECR) passport holder must obtain clearance from the Protector of Emigrants (POE) before travelling abroad for employment. This requirement does not apply to holders of Non-ECR passports. If you have passed Class 10, pay income tax, are below 18 or above 50, or belong to certain professional categories, you may be eligible for Non-ECR status. 

Your passport does more than let you travel overseas. For some Indian passport holders, it also determines whether emigration clearance is needed before taking up employment abroad. Not sure what to do if your passport has an ECR endorsement but you now qualify for Non-ECR? The good news is that you can apply for passport re-issue and request deletion of the ECR endorsement.

For details on ECR/Non-ECR passport meaning, eligibility categories, and required documents, see Documents Required for Non-ECR Passport.

What are the Documents Required for Passport Re-Issue?

The documents depend on the category through which you are claiming Non-ECR status. For example, Passport Seva specifies the following documentary requirements for some common categories:

• Matriculation or higher qualification: Matriculation or higher educational pass certificate

• Income-tax payer: Proof of income-tax assessment and actual payment for the last year, or the specified income-tax return documentation along with PAN, as applicable.

• Persons above 50: Acceptable proof of date of birth

• Children below 18: Birth certificate or other prescribed proof of age

• Eligible spouses: Documents establishing the relationship, such as the prescribed marriage documentation

• Eligible dependent children: Birth certificate or prescribed school certificate

• Diploma holders: Relevant recognised diploma or equivalent qualification documents

• Professional categories: Relevant professional qualification or degree documents

The said documents must be brought along with their photocopies to the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). Now, let us guide you through the detailed process of getting a Non-ECR passport.

How Can You Change ECR to Non-ECR in Your Passport?

If you qualify for Non-ECR status, you need to apply for re-issue of your passport for deletion of ECR.

Here is how the process works.

Step 1: Sign Up on the Passport Seva Website

Create an account on the official Passport Seva website if you are applying for your first passport. For a passport re-issue, log in with the email address you used when registering.

Step 2: Apply for Passport Re-Issue

Click on “Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport” and proceed with the re-issue application. Since you already hold an ordinary Indian passport, this is a re-issue, not a fresh passport application.

Step 3: Provide the Required Details

Complete the application form with your personal, passport and other required information. When submitting the application, make sure that the information matches your existing records and supporting documents.

Step 4: Select the Relevant ECR Deletion Option

Choose the applicable option for deletion of ECR while applying for passport re-issue. You will also need to provide the documents that establish your eligibility for Non-ECR status.

Step 5: Pay the Passport Fee and Book an Appointment

Following submission of the application, applicants can proceed to “Pay and Schedule Appointment” to complete the fee payment and select an appointment. The payment has to be made online when booking an appointment at a PSK, POPSK or Passport Office.

Step 6: Visit the PSK or RPO

Visit the Passport Seva Kendra or Regional Passport Office selected for your appointment.

Carry your original passport and the original documents supporting your Non-ECR eligibility, along with the required photocopies. Your photograph and biometrics will be taken as part of the passport application process.

Step 7: Complete Any Required Verification

The Passport Office decides whether police verification is required based on the application and circumstances. Passport Seva recognises pre- and post-police verification processes, so applicants should not assume that police verification will always be skipped for an ECR deletion request.

Step 8: Receive Your Re-issued Passport

Once you have submitted everything, there is not much else you need to do. Just keep an eye on your application status on Passport Seva using your file number and date of birth. Your new passport will be issued once the application is processed.

How to Know My Passport Status (ECR or Non-ECR)?

If you don’t know whether you have a non-ECR or an ECR passport, then check page 35/36 of the new passport and look at the remarks. If ECR is mentioned, then it’s an ECR passport. Whereas if “not Required as ECR” is mentioned, then it’s non-ECR. You can even access the type of your passport on the Passport Seva portal (by putting in the file number and DOB) to do this.

How Long Does It Take to Process an ECR to Non-ECR Passport Request?

The processing time of a Non-ECR passport application takes 7-14 working days depending on whether police verification is required or not. In addition, you can also apply for Tatkaal passports to fast-track the process; however, police verification will still be required if you opt for Tatkaal passports.

What is the Fee for an ECR to Non-ECR Passport?

Changing an ECR passport to a Non-ECR involves deletion of the ECR status through passport re-issue. Importantly, there is no separate fee for a Non-ECR passport.

The current fees are:

The Tatkaal fee is charged in addition to the applicable application fee. Passport Seva also states that a fresh passport booklet will be issued for deletion of ECR.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Applying for ECR to Non-ECR Passport

Some of the common mistakes that one must avoid while applying for the Non-ECR passport are mentioned below:

Incomplete Documentation

Do not let a missing document slow things down. Go through the required document list once before submitting your application and keep everything ready.

Incorrect Information

While filling the application form, it is essential that one enters the correct information, as it will be printed on the passport.

Incorrect Submission of Documents

While submitting the documents online, it is essential to ensure that the documents submitted are clear. In case you have submitted unclear documents, your application may get rejected.

Eligibility

While applying for a non-ECR passport, it is essential to ensure that one fulfils at least one of the eligibility criteria.

Passport Validity

Before you focus on the rest of your travel plans, make sure your passport will remain valid for the required period. For some destinations, that means having at least six months left on it. 

Once that is sorted, consider travel insurance too. It can come in handy if an unexpected medical or travel-related expense comes up while you’re away. Financial risks like medical expenses, trip cancellation or postponement and losses arising due to theft or damage to luggage or personal articles may arise when you travel. Flight cancellation and interruption and medical expenditures arising during the travel are often covered by travel insurance plans. It is advisable to buy travel insurance before going for international travel.

Why Should You Consider Travel Insurance for an International Trip?

Travellers must take into account travel insurance because an international trip is about more than just booking flights and accommodation. An unexpected medical emergency, baggage problem, or disruption to your itinerary can result in additional expenses and cause you a lot of distress.

Travel insurance can help manage certain covered financial losses arising from such events. For example, Niva Bupa's TravelAssure policy documentation includes benefits relating to areas such as medical treatment, medical evacuation, trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage and loss of passport, subject to the applicable terms, conditions, limits and exclusions.

That does not mean every situation will be covered. Before buying a policy, check the sum insured, exclusions, deductibles, eligibility requirements and claim conditions applicable to your plan.

Conclusion

The ECR endorsement can be removed when you apply for a re-issue of your passport, considering that you meet the requirements for Non-ECR status. The application is made through the Passport Seva Portal, followed by an appointment at the relevant PSK or RPO. You will also have to submit the requested documents supporting your eligibility.

An ECR passport does not restrict international travel. Emigration clearance is required only when travelling to a notified ECR country for employment. For other travel purposes, such as tourism, clearance is not required. If you are planning an international trip, we at Niva Bupa also encourage you to consider suitable travel insurance. Our TravelAssure plan offers travel and medical benefits, subject to the policy terms, conditions, exclusions and applicable limits.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I change my ECR passport to Non-ECR without re-issuing it?

No. Deletion of ECR is handled through passport re-issue, and Passport Seva's current fee structure specifically lists "replacement of passport for deletion of ECR". A fresh passport booklet is issued as part of this service.

Does passing Class 10 make me eligible for Non-ECR status?

Yes. The Ministry of External Affairs includes people with matriculation or higher educational qualifications among the categories whose passports are not endorsed with ECR. You will need the prescribed educational certificate as supporting documentation.

Do I need emigration clearance if I have an ECR passport and am travelling for tourism?

No. An ECR passport holder travelling to a notified ECR country for a purpose other than employment does not require emigration clearance under the MEA's guidelines.

Is police verification required when deleting ECR?

It depends on the application. The Passport Office determines whether police verification is required and whether it is conducted before or after passport issuance. Therefore, applicants should not assume that every ECR deletion application will follow the same verification process.