Emergency Certificate (White Passport) Guide: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman & Bahrain

An Emergency Certificate (EC)—frequently referred to among migrant workers as a White Passport, Outpass, or Emergency Travel Document (ETD)—is a provisional, one-way travel document issued by diplomatic missions. It is specifically designed to facilitate the urgent repatriation of foreign nationals whose original passports have been lost, stolen, damaged, or unlawfully withheld by an employer, and who do not have time or resources to await a standard passport renewal.

1. What is an Emergency Certificate (White Passport)?

An Emergency Certificate serves strictly as a temporary travel document valid exclusively for direct, one-way travel back to your home country. It cannot be used for multi-destination transit or re-entry into the host nation. Once you arrive at your home country international airport, immigration border officials inspect and retain the Emergency Certificate, allowing you to re-apply for a standard national passport subsequently.

2. Step 1: Obtaining the Local Police Loss Report

If your passport was physically lost or stolen, host nation immigration authorities require an official police verification certificate before allowing exit clearance:

• 🇦🇪 UAE: Report the loss via the Dubai Police App or visit any police station in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or other Emirates to obtain a formal Lost Item Certificate (cost: AED 50–70).
• 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia: Report the loss via Absher Portal or visit the nearest district police station to secure a formal police declaration of lost documents (Balagh Faqdan).
• 🇴🇲 Oman: Visit the Royal Oman Police (ROP) Directorate of Passports & Civil Status to register a lost document notice.
• 🇧🇭 Bahrain: Report the loss at the nearest police station or through the Bahrain.bh National Portal.

3. Step 2: Consular Application (India, Pakistan & Bangladesh)

Apply for the emergency document through your respective diplomatic mission or authorized outsourced center:

• 🇮🇳 Indian Nationals — Emergency Certificate (EC):

  Apply through the nearest BLS International Center or directly at the Embassy of India (Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Manama) or Consulate General in Dubai / Jeddah. Required documents: Police loss certificate (or employer withholding dispute reference), copy of lost passport (or proof of Indian citizenship such as Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or Nativity Certificate), and 4 passport-size photographs.

• 🇵🇰 Pakistani Nationals — Emergency Travel Document / Outpass:

  Visit the Consular Section of the Embassy of Pakistan or Consulate General. Required documents: Copy of lost passport or National Identity Card (NADRA CNIC / NICOP), police report, and biometric verification.

• 🇧🇩 Bangladeshi Nationals — Travel Permit (TP):

  Visit the Labour Welfare Wing of the Embassy of Bangladesh. Required documents: Copy of previous passport or National ID (NID) / Digital Birth Registration Certificate, police loss statement, and application form.

4. Step 3: Host Country Immigration Exit Clearance (Outpass)

Holding an Emergency Certificate from your embassy does not automatically permit you to board a flight. You must take the document to host nation immigration authorities to transfer your visa data, record biometric exit data, and obtain an official Exit Permit / Outpass:

• 🇦🇪 UAE: Visit the GDRFA / ICP Outpass Centers (such as Al Aweer Immigration Center in Dubai or Al Shahama in Abu Dhabi). Officers inspect overstay fines and issue an exit permit.
• 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia: Proceed to the Jawazat Expatriate Affairs Center (Tarheel / Wafideen). Jawazat conducts biometric scans and stamps the final departure exit visa on your Emergency Certificate.
• 🇴🇲 Oman: Visit the ROP Seeb Outpass Center (Muscat) to process exit authorization.
• 🇧🇭 Bahrain: Visit the NPRA Expatriate Services Directorate in Manama to validate your departure clearance.

5. Step 4: Travel Ban & Judicial Clearance Check

Before purchasing airfare, ensure you do not have active judicial or financial travel bans. Airport immigration will prevent departure if an active court case, unpaid bank loan warrant, or criminal alert exists, even if you hold an authorized Outpass.

6. Official Fees & Discretionary Welfare Assistance

Understanding official administrative costs and emergency fee relief:

• Standard Consular Fee: An Emergency Certificate carries a nominal administrative fee (typically equivalent to USD 15–25 / SAR 50–70 / AED 60–90).
• Discretionary Welfare Relief for Destitute Workers: If a stranded migrant worker has no financial resources, unpaid wages, or is accommodated in an embassy shelter, the Head of Mission (Ambassador or Consul General) has statutory authority under welfare funds—such as the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF), Pakistan OPF Welfare Fund, or Bangladesh WEWB Welfare Scheme—to grant fee waivers and sponsor return airfare on a verified, means-tested humanitarian basis.

7. Official Consular & Immigration Centers

• Indian Missions: UAE (800 46342) | Saudi Arabia (+966 11 488 4697) | Oman (+968 2468 4500) | Bahrain (+973 1771 2683)
• Pakistan Missions: UAE (+971 2 444 7800) | Saudi Arabia (+966 11 488 4111)
• Bangladesh Missions: UAE (+971 2 446 5100) | Saudi Arabia (+966 11 488 2191)
• Immigration Emergency: UAE Amer (800 5111) | Saudi Jawazat (992)

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

9. Find Help Now