Registration requirement for Non-ECR Indian passport holders withdrawn

Doha: In a big relief to Indian expatriates in Qatar, Indian government has decided to withdraw the move to make non-ECR passport holders to register before leaving India on employment visas until further notice.

The Indian authorities had issued an advisory earlier making it mandatory to register on their website before leaving on employment visas to 18 countries including Qatar.

A statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs posted on their website said that the advisory, which was supposed to come into force form January 1, will be kept in abeyance until further orders.

“With reference to Ministry of External Affairs Advisory dated the 14th November, 2018 on the above subject, it is informed that the Ministry has been receiving representations from various quarters, including Non-ECR passport holders already employed in ECR countries, regarding difficulties faced by them in registration on www.emigrate.gov.in,” the statement issued by M C Luther, Joint Secretary & Protector General of Emigrants, said.

“The Indian Missions in those countries have also forwarded representations received by them from the local Indian community. In view of the above, the Competent Authority has decided to keep this Advisory, regarding registration of Non-ECR passport holders, in abeyance until further orders,” it added.

However, the ministry said that if anyone wants to register voluntarily as earlier, he/she can do so.