India: Information on whether nationals of India who wish to leave their country are required to obtain exit permits (exit visas)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 June 1992 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IND11088 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, India: Information on whether nationals of India who wish to leave their country are required to obtain exit permits (exit visas), 1 June 1992, IND11088, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6accf4.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A representative of the High Commission of India in Ottawa stated that nationals of India who wish to leave their country are required to obtain "immigration permits" (10 June 1992). The representative declined to elaborate on the subject.
According to a representative of the National Alliance of Canadian Sikhs in Toronto, nationals of India who wish to leave their country are not required to obtain exit permits (15 June 1992). However, certain individuals are required to apply to passport offices to have a special stamp placed in their passports indicating "Immigration Check Required" (Ibid.). The representative maintains that this requirement had a non-political objective before the government of India's "Operation Blue Star" of 1984 in the Punjab. Seeking to stop "brain drain," the government of India introduced the above-mentioned stamp to require professionals such as physicians and engineers to explain why they wished to leave India. In addition, this requirement helped the government of India to arrest political and non-political fugitives in certain "restricted areas" such as the Punjab. This objective became more salient after "Operation Blue Star" (Ibid.). The source was unable to determine which group(s) of nationals of India are required to obtain the above-mentioned stamp.
Although not explicitly referring to exit permits, the following information may be noteworthy. Social and Labour Bulletin provides information on new legislation regarding "the employment conditions of Indian workers emigrating to take up work overseas" (Sept.-Dec. 1984, 581). According to the source,
[u]nder the Act, no Indian citizen can leave India to take up work abroad without first obtaining a certificate of emigration clearance from the Protector of Emigrants. Such clearance will not be given if it is considered that the intending emigrant will have to live and work under sub-standard conditions (Ibid.).
The source adds that "[t]he legislation is intended to prevent exploitation of emigrant workers" (Ibid.).
Additional and/or corroborating information on the above subject is currently unavailable to the IRBDC.
References
High Commission of India, Ottawa. 10 June 1992. Telephone Interview with Representative.
International Labour Office. Nos. 3-4, September-December 1984. Social and Labour Bulletin. Geneva: International Labour Office.
National Alliance of Canadian Sikhs, Toronto. 15 June 1992. Telephone Interview with Representative.
Attachment
International Labour Office. Nos. 3-4, September-December 1984. Social and Labour Bulletin. Geneva: International Labour Office.
