In exercise of the powers conferred by clause a of section 22 of the Passports Act

## Report on Exemption of Emergency Certificate Fees for Indians in Oman **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, published on January 20, 2021. The notification exempts Indian citizens residing in Oman who lack travel documents from paying fees for Emergency Certificates (ECs) for one-time travel to India, subject to specific conditions. This fee waiver is directly linked to an amnesty scheme announced by the Government of Oman. The report details the key provisions, target audience, implementation aspects, and expected outcomes of this policy change, as interpreted solely from the provided notification text. **2. Introduction:** The purpose of this report is to provide an informative overview and analysis of the Ministry of External Affairs notification regarding the waiver of Emergency Certificate fees for certain Indian citizens in Oman. This analysis is based exclusively on the provided text of the notification. **3. Policy Overview:** This is a *new policy* that introduces a fee exemption. * **Core Objective(s):** The core objective, as inferred from the text, is to facilitate the return of undocumented Indian citizens residing in Oman to India by removing the financial barrier of Emergency Certificate fees. This facilitation is directly tied to and supporting an amnesty scheme offered by the Omani government. The policy also aims to operate within the existing framework of passport rules and regulations, with specified exceptions. **4. Background and Rationale:** This policy addresses the situation of undocumented Indian citizens living in Oman. The text suggests that the Government of Oman has announced an amnesty scheme for such individuals. This policy likely aims to support this amnesty scheme by easing the process of return for these individuals, who may face financial constraints. Without this fee waiver, the cost of an Emergency Certificate could prevent them from returning to India during the amnesty period. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This is a **New Policy**, therefore the key provisions are as follows: * **Fee Waiver:** Indian citizens in Oman lacking travel documents are exempted from the fees associated with the issuance of Emergency Certificates for a single journey back to India. This exemption directly addresses a financial barrier preventing the return of undocumented Indian citizens. * **Conditionality:** The fee waiver is contingent upon two specific conditions: * The application for the Emergency Certificate must be made during the period of the amnesty scheme announced by the Government of Oman. This directly links the Indian government’s support to the Omani initiative. * Applicants must submit an additional application explicitly stating their desire to avail of the fee waiver. This suggests an active requirement on the part of the applicant to claim the benefit. * **Adherence to Existing Regulations:** The notification clarifies that all other relevant provisions of the Passports Act, Passport Rules, and Passport Manual remain applicable during the issuance of Emergency Certificates under this fee waiver program. This implies that while the fee is waived, all other identity verification and processing steps remain in effect. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience consists of Indian citizens residing in Oman who do not possess valid travel documents and wish to return to India. Secondary stakeholders include: * The Government of Oman (due to the tie-in with their amnesty scheme) * The Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. * The Central Passport Organization (CPO) * The Jt. Secy. PSP Chief Passport Officer. * Indian Missions in Oman (Embassies and Consulates). * Emergency Certificate applicants. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of External Affairs is the responsible body, with the Central Passport Organization (CPO) and its officers playing a key role in implementation. The Jt. Secy. PSP Chief Passport Officer is identified as responsible. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The policy is time-bound, linked to the duration of the Omani Government's amnesty scheme. Applicants must file an additional application to avail the fee waiver, indicating a specific procedural requirement. The standard procedures outlined in the Passports Act, Passport Rules and Passport Manual will also be followed. * The text suggests that the Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi110064 and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi110054, are responsible for publishing and uploading the notification. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcomes of this policy are: * **Increased repatriation:** Facilitation of the return of undocumented Indian citizens from Oman during the amnesty period. * **Strengthened ties with Oman:** Support for the Omani government's amnesty scheme may foster goodwill between the two countries. * **Reduced burden on Indian citizens:** Alleviation of the financial burden on undocumented Indian citizens who wish to return home. * **Compliance with passport regulations:** Maintaining adherence to passport regulations, except for the fee waiver, ensuring a regulated process. **9. Conclusion:** The Ministry of External Affairs notification represents a significant measure to facilitate the return of undocumented Indian citizens from Oman. By waiving Emergency Certificate fees during Oman's amnesty scheme, the Indian government is removing a crucial barrier to repatriation and potentially strengthening diplomatic relations. The policy is a time-bound initiative that requires specific application procedures and operates within the broader framework of existing passport regulations. This provides valuable information to Indian citizens residing in Oman who wish to return to India.

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