As per the Emigration Act, 1983, certain categories of Indian passport holders require to obtain “Emigration Clearance” from the office of Protector of Emigrants (POE) for going to certain countries.

As per Emigration Act, “emigration” means going out of India of any Indian citizen with a view to taking up employment in a foreign country.

All Indian passports are divided into two categories as follows :

:: Passports with endorsement: “Emigration Check Required” (ECR)
:: Passports with endorsement: “Emigration Check Not Required” (ECNR)
   
The Indian passport holders who have the stamp of ECR, are required to get emigration clearance from Protector of Emigrants if going out to any country except Pakistan, Bangladesh, European countries (excluding CIS countries), all countries of North America, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea and South Africa.

Indian passport holders who have the stamp of ECNR, do not require to take any emigration clearance from POE for going to any country.