Government of India has recently made it mandatory for all Indian passport holders to obtain Emigration Clearance Not Required (ECNR) endorsement for travel to Thailand. Indian Missions/Posts abroad have also been authorized to provide this service to facilitate returning Indian nationals who are normally resident abroad.

Categories of persons eligible for ECNR (Emigration Check Not Required) facility at Indian Immigration Checkposts:

1. Persons going abroad in managerial capacity in hotels, restaurants, tea houses or other places of public resort etc., possessing specialized degrees in these fields.
2. All gazetted government servants.
3. Income tax payers (including agricultural income tax) in respect of their individual capacity. Attested copies of income tax returns for the last three years which are stamped by the IT Department, are acceptable as evidence. Assessment orders need not be insisted upon as in most cases such assessment orders are not issued by the IT Department. ECNR may also be granted on the basis of 2 years Income Tax returns, duly stamped as above, and advance tax paid challan for the third year.
4. All professional degree holders such as doctors holding MBBS degree or degree in Ayurved or Homeopathy, accredited Journalists, Chartered Accountants, Cost Accountants, Lecturers, teachers, scientists, advocates, etc.
5. Spouse and dependent children upto the age of 24, of the applicants mentioned in categories 2-4 above.
6. All persons who have been staying abroad for more than 3 years (the period of 3 years could either be in a single stretch or in broken periods) and the spouse and children upto the age of 24, of such persons. Applicants have to file an affidavit.
7. Persons holding 10+2 qualification, graduate or higher degrees from a recognized Central/State Board/University.
8. Persons over 50 years of age.
9. Children below 18 years of age provided they are accompanied by any or both parents.
10. Persons possessing 2 years diploma from any institute recognized by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) or State Council for Vocational Training (SCVT).
11. Nurses possessing qualifications recognized under the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947
12. All visitors to Pakistan and Bangladesh
13. Persons possessing certificates of vocational training from government/government-recognised institutions.