ECR (Emigration Check Required) passport holders are a category of Indian citizens who are subject to certain travel restrictions as per the Indian Government’s Emigration Act, 1983. These individuals are required to obtain permission from the Protector of Emigrants (POE) under the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs before traveling to 18 specified countries listed below.

Rundown of 18 Countries where you have to take a freedom before your travel if your international ID is ECR

• Afghanistan
• Bahrain
• Brunei
• Indonesia
• Iraq (migration banned)
• Jordan
• Kuwait
• Lebanon
• Libya
• Malaysia
• Oman
• Qatar
• Sudan
• Syria
• Thailand
• The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
• United Arab Emirates (UAE)
• Yemen

Global migration plays a significant role in shaping economic relations between developed and developing countries. To address this, the Emigration Policy Division of the Ministry was established in March 2006 to support and empower Indian emigrants. This division is responsible for handling all policy matters related to the migration of Indian workers. Its key responsibilities include:

• Formulation of strategies for enhancing Emigration Management
• Proposing authoritative changes
• Implementing resettlement changes (counting institutional changes and e-Governance)
• Formulation of welfare plans for displaced people
• Promoting reciprocal and multilateral co-operation in worldwide relocation

Indian migrant workers, particularly those in non-professional roles, are often vulnerable to exploitation and lack awareness of relevant laws and procedures. The high cost of migration, along with restrictive policies by host countries, further reduces the benefits for these workers. In response, the Ministry is actively pursuing reforms to the migration system, aiming to empower these migrants through strategic interventions at national, bilateral, and multilateral levels.

• The different steps taken by the Ministry to change the resettlement framework and engage the Emigrants are:
• Drafting of new Emigration enactment to supplant the Emigration Act, 1983.
• Proposals for marking MOUs with the Gulf nations
• Schemes for expertise up degree and pre-flight introduction of potential displaced people
• Building up a system for completing nearby welfare measures
• Setting up Overseas Indian Centres to facilitate nearby welfare
• Replicate the best practices of different nations like Philippines in the territory of traveler welfare
• Revamping the enrollment framework to make it more expert and responsible
• Establishment of Council for Overseas Employment to exhort the Government on abroad livelihood matters and to create methodologies and great practices immigration management through research and studies.