Emigration clearance to go from October 1

New Delhi, September 6
There will be no requirement of emigration clearance from October 1 for Indians travelling abroad, with the government today admitting that the “retrograde” scheme was a cause of harassment and corruption.

Making an announcement in this regard in the Lok Sabha, minister of overseas Indian affairs Vayalar Ravi said the scheme had been introduced with the intention to prevent the misuse of visit visa for employment purposes but it had not achieved the objective. The emigration reform would be implemented from October 1, he said.

Under the Emigration Act 1983, a person holding a passport with emigration check required (ECR) stamp was supposed to obtain emigration clearance from the protector of emigrants before leaving for overseas employment. The Emigration Act did not cover ECR passport holders who travelled overseas for visits other than for employment. — PTI