India further liberalises emigration system

NEW DELHI: India has further liberalised the emigration system by extending the 'emigration check not required' (ECNR) status to 173 countries from the present 53.

Now emigration clearance or suspension of emigration check requirement is necessary only 18 countries in the world, includes Malaysia, Libya, Jordan, Yemen, Sudan, Brunei, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Syria, Lebanon, Thailand and Iraq (emigration banned), according to a ministry of overseas Indian affairs.

Under the Indian Emigration Act, 1983, anybody whose passport is endorsed as an 'emigration check required' (ECR passport) has to obtain emigration clearance (in case of employment visa) or suspension of emigration check requirement (in case of visit visa) from the office of protector of emigrants.