Deleting ECR Stamp from Passport

I had applied for passport re-issue in 2011. After four months when I finally received the coveted document, it had an Emigration Check Required (ECR) stamp on it. If your passport has a page with ECR stamp, it means you are not free to work in 18 countries. Here is the complete list (download the MS Word document). 

ECR stamp is meant to regulate the flow of people without a matriculation degree from travelling to countries where Indians are employed as domestic helps or low waged workers to prevent exploitation. Although the intention of ECR is noble, it often leads to harassment at the immigration desk if your passport has an ECR stamp. 

In many cases, incompetent personnel at the passport office fail to look at the supporting documents provided to ensure you do not get an ECR stamp. By default, no passport should have the ECR stamp. ECR stamping is meant only for people without a matriculation degree. If you are matriculate or above, by default, you passport must be an Emmigration Clearance Not Required (ECNR) compliant. Passports issued after 2007 do not have ECNR specifically mentioned. Since 2007, all passports are automatically deemed ECNR unless it has an ECR stamp.

If you are a matriculate or above and you have an ECR stamp on your passport, you have to apply for deletion of ECR. Here is the process:

1. Go to the Passport Seva website.
2. Download the e-Form from the Reissue of Passport box or the Download e-Form link under User Assistance on the left pane.
3. Fill the downloaded e-Form and click Validate & Save. This will generate an XML file which will be required later for uploading in the system. The form is saved in a .xls format.
4. Register through the Passport Seva Portal and create a User ID. (Click on "Register" link under the Online Application Filling section on the Home Page).
5. Login to the Passport Seva Portal with the User ID created earlier.
6. Upload the XML file (generated in Step 2) through the Upload e-Form link. Do not upload the PDF form at this stage as only XML file is accepted by the system.
7. Click the Manage Appointment link on Applicant Home page to schedule an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).
8. Click the Print Application Receipt link to print the application receipt containing Application Reference Number (ARN)/Appointment Number.

Note: In several PSKs, you do not need an online appointment for deletion of ECR. Take a print out of the Application Reference Number (ARN) and simply walk-in go to your nearest PSK. You can check here if your passport office provides the facility to walk-in for deletion of ECR. Carry all your original documents and self attested photo copies of your class 10th certificate and graduation certificate.

Once inside, you will be given a token and sent through three sections: A, B, and C. At section A, your documents will be verified, picture and finger prints captured, and you will be asked to pay the ECR deletion fee of Rs. 1500. Next, you will be sent to section B where a person from the regional passport office (a government official) will re-verify your documents. Next, you will be sent to section C where another passport official will enter your details in the system and initiate the process to re-issue a fresh passport with the ECR stamp deleted.

Collect the receipt and you are done. You should receive your passport within 15 days. You can track your application status here. 

Happy travels!