Understanding ECR and ECNR Passport Categories: A Quick Guide

Many of our readers often ask about the difference between ECR (Emigration Check Required) and ECNR (Emigration Check Not Required) passport statuses. While there is plenty of information available online, confusion still remains. Below is a simplified explanation to help you understand these two commonly used passport terms:

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ECR – Emigration Check Required

• What it means:
  ECR stands for Emigration Check Required. This status is stamped on passports of individuals who plan to travel abroad for employment but do not meet certain educational or eligibility criteria.

• Who gets ECR status?
  Typically, this endorsement is applied to individuals who do not have formal education or have studied below the 10th standard.

• Why is it required?
  The ECR requirement is a protective measure to safeguard Indian citizens from exploitation or legal complications in foreign countries, especially where employment-related migration laws are strict or where migrant workers are vulnerable.

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ECNR – Emigration Check Not Required

• What it means:
  ECNR stands for Emigration Check Not Required. This status indicates that the passport holder is not required to obtain emigration clearance from the Protector of Emigrants (POE) when traveling abroad for employment.

• Who qualifies for ECNR?
  ECNR status is granted to individuals belonging to the following categories:

  • Holders of Diplomatic or Official passports

  • Gazetted Government servants

  • Income tax payers

  • Individuals with professional or academic degrees, including graduates, postgraduates, doctors, nurses, economists, journalists, chartered accountants, etc.

  • Spouses and dependent children (up to 24 years of age) of the above categories

  • Anyone who has completed at least 10th standard or higher education

  • Holders of permanent residency visas or green cards (e.g., for the USA, UK, Australia)

  • Individuals with 2- or 3-year diplomas from government-recognized institutions

  • Persons aged above 50 years

  • Those who have lived abroad continuously for over three years, including their spouses (regardless of visa status)

Important Guidelines for Passport Application

Before applying for a passport, applicants must carefully review the following important points to ensure a smooth application process:

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✅ Address Proof Requirements

• Applicants must provide at least two address proofs showing residency at the current address for more than one year.

• For example, if applying in May 2010, the documents should reflect residence from April 2009 or earlier.

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✅ Consistency in Personal Details

• Ensure that the name of the applicant, father’s name, mother’s name, and address are consistent across all documents and match the spelling and surname used in the application form.

• Any discrepancies may lead to objections or delays.

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✅ Photograph Specifications

• Submit recent passport-size photographs with a light or white background.

• Outdated or incorrect photo formats may result in rejection.

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✅ Original Documents Must Be Carried

• Always carry original documents when submitting the passport application.

• These will be verified on the spot and returned immediately.

• Failure to present originals is a common reason for rejection and repeat visits.

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✅ Ensure Accuracy in Application Details

• All information provided in the application form must be accurate and truthful.

• Any false or incorrect details may lead to penalties under passport regulations.

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✅ Proof of Date of Birth Requirements

• For applicants born before 1989:

  • Submit a self-attested copy of either the matriculation certificate or school leaving certificate.

  • Illiterate applicants may submit a Notary-attested affidavit.

• For applicants born on or after 1989:

  • Only a birth certificate issued by the municipal corporation will be accepted.

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📌 Useful Passport Links

• Passport Home & Status Check:
  http://passport.gov.in/

• Application Forms:
  http://passport.gov.in/cpv/Forms.htm

• Penalties and Violations:
  http://passport.gov.in/cpv/penalty.htm

• Complaints & Suggestions:
  http://passport.gov.in/cpv/complaints.htm

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
  http://passport.gov.in/cpv/faq.htm

• Passport Act & Rules:
  http://passport.gov.in/passport_act.pdf

TATKAAL Passport Scheme: Fee Structure & Guidelines

The TATKAAL Scheme allows for the expedited issue of a passport in emergency situations. It is available for:

• Fresh passport applications

• Re-issue after expiry of 10-year validity

• Duplicate passports in lieu of lost or damaged passports

Please note that the Tatkaal fee is an additional charge, over and above the normal passport application fee. Payment can be made in cash or via Demand Draft (DD) in favor of the concerned Passport Officer.

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🔹 Fee Structure under TATKAAL Scheme

✅ Fresh Passport (36 pages) – Valid for 10 years

Application Type	Processing Time	Normal Fee	Additional Tatkaal Fee	Total Fee Payable
Fresh Passport	Within 1–7 days from application date	₹1,500	₹2,000	₹3,500

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✅ Duplicate Passport (in lieu of Lost/Damaged Passport)

Application Type	Processing Time	Normal Fee	Additional Tatkaal Fee	Total Fee Payable
Duplicate Passport	Within 1–7 days from application date	₹3,000	₹2,000	₹5,000

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✅ Re-issue of Passport (After Expiry of 10-Year Validity)

Application Type	Processing Time	Normal Fee	Additional Tatkaal Fee	Total Fee Payable
Re-issue of Passport	Within 3 working days from application date	₹1,500	₹2,000	₹3,500

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🔸 Special Provision for Corporate Applicants

Applicants who are owners, partners, or directors of companies that are registered members of CII, FICCI, or ASSOCHAM may apply under the Tatkaal scheme by submitting:

• A Verification Certificate as per Annexure “J”

• A Standard Affidavit as per Annexure “I”

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🔸 Optional Use of Verification Certificate Without Tatkaal

If an applicant submits either:

• A Verification Certificate (VC),
  OR

• Any three (3) documents listed under Section IV Para C(B)(a),
  along with the Standard Affidavit (Annexure I),
  but chooses not to pay the Tatkaal fee—

👉 The passport will still be issued under normal processing, based on post-police verification, without Tatkaal urgency.

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For the most up-to-date application forms, fee charts, and annexure formats, please visit:
🔗 https://passportindia.gov.in

Out-of-Turn Passport Issuance under the Tatkaal Scheme

Applicants who need to obtain a passport urgently may apply under the Tatkaal Scheme, which allows expedited processing without the need to provide any proof of urgency. However, the following documentation and conditions must be met:

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🔹 (A) Application with Verification Certificate

To apply under the Tatkaal scheme, the applicant must submit the following:

• A Verification Certificate in the prescribed format (Annexure “F”)

• A Standard Affidavit as per Annexure “I”

• Applicable Tatkaal fees (in addition to the regular passport fee)

The Passport Issuing Authority reserves the right to verify the authenticity of the Verification Certificate directly with the issuing official.

🔸 Note: All passports issued under the Tatkaal scheme are subject to post-police verification.

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🔹 (B) Alternative Option – Submission of 3 Valid Documents

Applicants not submitting a Verification Certificate may still apply under the Tatkaal Scheme by submitting:

• Any three (3) documents from the list below
  (📌 At least one must be a photo identity document, and at least one must be from categories (a) to (i))

• A Standard Affidavit (Annexure “I”) on non-judicial stamp paper, duly attested by a Notary

✅ Acceptable Documents (any 3 required)

(a) Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC)
(b) Government/PSU/Local Body/Public Ltd. Co. Photo ID Card
(c) SC/ST/OBC Certificates
(d) Freedom Fighter Identity Card
(e) Arms Licence
(f) Property Documents (e.g., Patta, Registered Sale Deeds)
(g) Ration Card
(h) Pension Documents (Ex-servicemen/Widow/Old Age, etc.)
(i) Railway Identity Card
(j) PAN Card (Income Tax Identity)
(k) Bank/Kisan/Post Office Passbook
(l) Student ID Card from a Recognized Institution
(m) Driving Licence
(n) Birth Certificate under the RBD Act
(o) Gas Connection Bill

📌 Note: All documents must be submitted in original along with self-attested photocopies.

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📥 Download All Required Annexure Formats:
👉 https://www.passportindia.gov.in/psp

This page includes downloadable PDF formats for:

• Annexure “F” – Verification Certificate

• Annexure “I” – Standard Affidavit

• And all other applicable annexures (A to “M”)

✅ These formats are required for passport applications under various categories including Tatkaal, minor applicants, name changes, and more.

✨ How to Change Your Name in a Passport?

🔹 I. Change of Name Due to Marriage, Remarriage, or Divorce

✅ (a) For Women Changing Name/Surname After Marriage:

Submit the following:

1. Photocopy of husband's passport, if available

2. Marriage certificate issued by the Registrar of Marriages
   OR
   An affidavit jointly signed by husband and wife with a joint photograph (as per Annexure “D”)

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✅ (b) For Divorcees Requesting Name Change or Deletion of Spouse’s Name:

Submit the following:

1. Certified copy of divorce decree

2. Deed Poll/Sworn Affidavit for name change (as per Annexure “E”)

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✅ (c) For Remarried Applicants Requesting Change of Spouse’s Name:

Submit the following:

1. Divorce decree or death certificate of the former spouse

2. Documents listed under section (a) above for the new marriage

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🔹 II. Change of Name Due to Other Reasons (for both males and females)

Applicants not falling under marital status changes must provide:

1. Deed Poll or Sworn Affidavit for name change (as per Annexure “E”)

2. Original newspaper cuttings from two leading daily newspapers

   • One must be from the locality of your permanent or present address (or nearby area)

📌 These newspaper publications serve as public notice of the name change.

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📥 Download Required Annexure Formats:

Download ANNEXURES' format >>

Or Visit - https://www.passportindia.gov.in/psp

🛂 Documents Required for Passport Application in India

Whether you're applying for a fresh passport, reissue, minor’s passport, name change, or replacing a lost/damaged passport, it’s important to submit the correct documents to avoid rejection or delays. Below is a category-wise list of required documents:

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🔹 1. For Fresh Passport Application

Submit two self-attested copies of the following documents:

✅ (a) Proof of Address (any one of the following):

• Ration card (must be supported with one additional address proof from this list)

• Employer certificate (on official letterhead of a reputed company)

• Water / Electricity / Telephone bill

• Bank account statement (running account)

• Income Tax Assessment Order

• Voter ID (EPIC)

• Gas connection bill

• Passport copy of spouse or parents (for minors)

✅ (b) Proof of Date of Birth (any one of the following):

• Birth certificate issued by Municipal Authority or Registrar of Births & Deaths
  (Mandatory for applicants born on or after 26.01.1989)

• School leaving certificate or certificate from the last attended educational institution

• Affidavit (Annexure “A”) sworn before Magistrate/Notary (for illiterate/semi-literate applicants)

✅ (c) Citizenship Certificate, if applicable (for applicants who obtained Indian citizenship by registration/naturalization)

✅ (d) Government/PSU/Statutory Body Employees:

• Original Identity Certificate (Annexure “B”)

• Standard Affidavit (Annexure “I”)

✅ (e) ECNR Eligibility:

Attach supporting documents if eligible for Emigration Check Not Required (ECNR)
(Refer to Column 15 of the instruction booklet)

✅ (f) Repatriated at Government Cost:

Submit documents proving that any government-incurred expenses were fully repaid

✅ (g) Deported Applicants:

Provide details of the Emergency Certificate or previous passport

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🔹 2. For Passport Reissue (after 10 years validity)

Submit the following:

1. Old passport (original) + self-attested copies of:

   • First 4 and last 4 pages

   • ECR/ECNR page

2. Documents mentioned in section 1(d), if applicable

3. Documents mentioned in 1(e) if the previous passport did not have ECNR or was issued during minority

4. Updated address proof as per 1(a), if address has changed

5. Marriage certificate (Registrar-issued) or Annexure “D” affidavit if spouse’s name is to be added

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🔹 3. For Minor’s Passport Application

✅ Required Documents:

• Annexures based on situation:

  • Annexure “H” – Declaration by both parents (standard case)

  • Annexure “C” – For single parents (separated but not legally divorced / child born out of wedlock)

  • Annexure “G” – For single parent/legal guardian applying

  • Annexure “I” – If minor (15–18 years) applies for full 10-year passport, or if parents lack valid passports

• Attested photocopy of parents' passports, if available

• Original passports of parents must be shown for verification

• If one parent resides abroad, provide:

  • Sworn affidavit from the parent abroad (attested by Indian Mission)

  • Affidavit from the parent in India

✅ Important Notes:

• Passport for minors requires consent of both parents. If not possible, Annexure “G” must be submitted.

• If both/either parent holds a valid passport, the child’s passport may be issued without police verification.

• If neither parent holds a passport, submit:

  • Any three documents (as per Section IV C(B) of Passport Booklet)

  • Annexure “I”

  • Passport will be issued on post-police verification

• Children of all ages, including newborns, must have a separate passport

• Passports for children below 15 years are valid for 5 years or until age 18, whichever is earlier

• Minors aged 15–18 can apply for a 10-year passport by submitting:

  • Annexure “I”

  • Three supporting documents

  • Standard fee of ₹1500 (36 pages)

🧒 For Adopted Children:

• Registered adoption deed as per Indian law

• Court order granting guardianship (for Christians, Muslims, Parsis)

• Court guarantee copy allowing child to be taken abroad

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🔹 4. In Case of Lost or Damaged Passport

Submit the application form along with:

1. Original FIR/report from police

2. Photocopies of first and last four pages of old passport

3. If address has changed, submit new proof of address

🌐 Official Portal:
👉 https://passportindia.gov.in