The government of India has decided to defer the implementation of its controversial decision to require online registration mandatory for non-emigration check required (NECR) passport holders travelling for work to any of the 18 countries listed on India’s External Affairs Ministry website.
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The decision was made following an influx of complaints from various sectors pointing out a number of loopholes in the system which makes registering difficult on the e-migrate’s website.
Public Notice on ECNR registration @ProtectorGenGOI @HelpPbsk @CPVIndia @HelplinePBSK @cgidubai @CGIJeddah @IndiaInBahrain @IndembAbuDhabi @IndEmbDoha pic.twitter.com/uKv69l6FHS
— eMigrate Project (@eMigrateproject) November 28, 2018
Mandatory Registration Put on Hold by Indian Gov’t due to NRI Uproar
As per the ministry–issued advisory last Nov. 14, the online registration is mandatory for Indian nationals as well as foreign nationals travelling to India 24 hours prior their travel date.
The decision is set to take effect on January 1, 2019.
Those who will fail to comply and receive an e-mail/SMS confirmation will not be allowed to board their flight.
Meanwhile non-resident Indians (NRIs) have voiced out their worry and concerns and pointing out that the decision was arbitrary and would only cause chaos and confusion as it affects all non-ECR passport holders already working in those countries.
The outcry of non-Indian residents in Kuwait was backed up by Indian communities in other listed countries, which prompted the Indian Foreign Ministry to delay the implementation of the new rule. However, the ministry added that should any emigrant decide to voluntarily register as urged earlier, they will be accepted to do so.
With the Indian government’s decision to defer the mandatory online registration for now, many Indians in Kuwait expressed their approval on the development. Some of the Indian nationals even voiced out their request for their government to allow them to register from their country of residence.
As per the Indian foreign ministry, the primary aim of the online registration is to obtain data of Indian emigrants for tracking and communication purposes in case of any eventuality.