Maritime Crew visa (Subclass 988) - Australian Visa

Overview

Stay

You can stay in Australia as long as you are a crew member of a Maritime Crew Visa (MCV) eligible ship that is in Australia.

Cost

Free

Processing times

For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.

With this visa, you can...

arrive and depart Australia by sea as a crew member of an MCV eligible ship
stay in Australia for as long as you are signed on as a crew member of an MCV eligible ship
sign off your ship to join another MCV eligible ship, or to leave Australia
only perform work in Australia that meets the normal operational duties of a crew member of your ship
only arrive by sea - if you want to fly to Australia, you will need to hold another valid visa.

See all conditions

Check your eligibility

You must:

be outside Australia when you apply
comply with Australia's health and quarantine requirements
be a crew member, or have a current offer to be a crew member, on an MCV eligible ship, such as a cargo or passenger ship on an international voyage to Australia
not be a crew member, or seeking to join, on an ineligible ship including private sector research vessels, most fishing vessels, yachts or superyachts
not be an Australian citizen or the holder of a permanent Australian visa.

Help with your visa

If you are getting help with your visa, before you pay someone, read information on Who can help with your visa application.

Apply Check your Maritime visa status

About this visa

With this visa you can

Which ships you can work on in Australia

Apply from

How long you can stay

With this visa you can

arrive and depart Australia by sea as a crew member of an MCV eligible ship
stay in Australia for as long as you are signed on as a crew member of an MCV eligible ship
sign off your ship in Australia to leave Australia, or to join another MCV eligible ship
only perform work in Australia as a crew member that meets the normal operational duties of your MCV eligible ship.

With this visa you cannot:

enter Australia by air only holding this visa. To fly to Australia, you will also need another visa to enter
enter Australia by sea on a type of ship that is not specified as eligible for an MCV
stay as a visitor or tourist, or permanently. You can hold a Visitor visa at the same time as you hold an MCV to visit or sightsee Australia while you are not working as a crew member on a ship
work in Australia, in port or at sea, doing work that is not directly related to the operation of the ship as a member of crew
bypass Australia’s health and quarantine requirements.

For more information on visa options, see Explore visa options.

Which ships you can work on in Australia

Ships that do meet the eligibility for a Maritime Crew Visa include:

cargo ships carrying goods between Australia and overseas ports
international cruise ships with paying passengers
foreign government owned and operated research ships
ships granted Public Vessel Status by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
ships that have been entered for home consumption or imported under specific sections of Australia’s Customs Act 1901 and that have been registered on the Australian International Shipping Register (this does not include registration on the Australian General Shipping Register).

Ships that are not eligible include:

small marine crafts, yachts and superyachts
petroleum export tankers that go to both an offshore resource activity area and an Australian port on the same international journey
trawlers and cable laying vessels
most fishing vessels
research vessels that are not owned and operated by a foreign government.

Apply from

You must be outside Australia when you apply. You can be inside or outside Australia when your visa is decided.

You must not travel to Australia without a visa.

How long you can stay

Maritime Crew visas last for three years unless they are ceased for one of the following reasons:

you try to enter Australia, or you are working in Australia, on a ship that is not a MCV eligible ship
while in Australia, you do work that is not related to the normal operational duties of the ship
you arrive in Australia by air and do not sign on to your ship within five days of arrival or before any other visa you hold ceases, whichever is longer
you sign off your ship, and you do not:
- leave Australia
- hold another type of visa or
- sign on to another MCV eligible ship within five days (or a period specified by the Department of Home Affairs)
your ship has been imported or brought into Australia for sale and:
- was not registered on the Australian International Shipping Register, or
- it was registered but that registration has ceased, and
- you do not leave Australia, hold another suitable visa, or sign on to another MCV eligible ship within five days (or a period specified by the Department of Home Affairs)
you leave a vessel after arriving in Australia without being immigration-cleared
you hold another visa and the other visa is cancelled for a reason other than on character grounds
we determined that it is undesirable for you to continue to hold a Maritime Crew visa.

While the visa is valid you can enter Australia by sea as a member of a Maritime Crew visa eligible ship as many times as you want.

If you want to enter Australia by air to join a ship, and you hold a Maritime Crew visa, you will need another visa to enter.

For more information on visa options, see Explore visa options.

Stay longer

You cannot apply for a new Maritime Crew visa while you are in Australia. You must apply for another visa. You need to do this before your current visa ceases.

For more information on visa options, see Explore visa options.

Include family

can apply for Maritime Crew visas if they are travelling on the same ship as you with permission from the vessel master. They must lodge separate application forms.

The Maritime Crew visa held by members of your family unit will cease if:

your Maritime Crew visa ceases
they enter Australia on a ship without you and don't hold a valid visa other than the Maritime Crew visa
they stop travelling with you and do not leave Australia or get another visa.

Family members are not permitted to work in Australia on a Maritime Crew visa.

Travel

You can enter Australia by sea as a member of a Maritime Crew visa eligible ship as many times as you want while the visa is valid.

You cannot fly into Australia only holding a Maritime Crew visa.

Cost

Free

Processing times

Your obligations

You and members of your family unit must meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws.

Learn more about conditions for this visa.

Health insurance

You are personally liable for all your healthcare costs while you are in Australia. Medical insurance helps limit your financial liability.

Learn more about health insurance for overseas visitors.

Reciprocal healthcare agreements

Some countries have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia. Find out more from Services Australia about reciprocal healthcare agreements.

Visa label

We will digitally link your visa to your passport. You will not get a label in your passport.

Eligibility

Be outside Australia

You must be outside Australia when you apply for this visa.

Be a crew member on a Maritime Crew visa eligible ship

You must be an articled crew member on a Maritime Crew visa eligible ship that is taking an international voyage to Australia.

Articled crew members

This includes:

people under contract or subcontract, involved in the usual day to day routine maintenance or duties of a ship while it is at sea
people doing scientific research on a research ship owned by a foreign government.

It does not include those who only work on a ship while it is in port or dry dock unless they are travelling with the ship.

Maritime Crew visa eligible ship

To be eligible for crew to enter Australia on a Maritime Crew visa, the ship must meet one of the following activities:

used for the commercial trading of cargo between Australia and international ports
used for carrying paying passengers
owned and operated by a foreign government to do scientific research
approved for 'Public Vessel Status' by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
has been imported or entered for home consumption under specific sections of Australia’s Customs Act 1901 and is registered in the Australian International Shipping Register.

Examples of the types of ships that are not eligible for Maritime Crew visa holders to enter Australia on are:

small marine craft, private yachts or superyachts
petroleum export tankers that go to both an offshore resource platform and an Australian port on the same international journey
fishing vessels, trawlers and cable laying vessels
research vessels that are not owned and operated by a foreign government.

Meet our character requirement

You must meet our character requirement.

Pay your debts to the Australian Government

If you or any family members (including those who don't apply for the visa with you) owe the Australian government money, you or they must have paid it back or arranged to pay it back.

Not had a refused application or cancelled visa

We will consider your immigration history when we make a decision on your application, which means you might not be eligible for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused.

In some circumstances you may still apply for a permanent visa if you have had a visa cancelled or an application refused, see Can I go to Australia.

If you want immigration assistance, see Who can help with your visa application.

Meet all these criteria? Check how to apply in our step by step guide.

How to apply

Step 1

Before you apply

See if you hold a Maritime Crew visa that is still valid with the Maritime Crew visa online status enquiry page.

Ensure you apply for the visa well ahead of your travel. We may require further information from you and time to assess that information.

Do not travel to Australia without a valid visa.

Ensure that you enter Australia on a Maritime Crew visa eligible ship, which is a ship that:

is transporting commercial cargo between Australia and international ports
is carrying paying passengers
is owned and operated by a foreign government to do scientific research
has been approved for 'Public Vessel Status' by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
has been imported or entered for home consumption under specific sections of Australia’s Customs Act 1901 and is registered on the Australian International Shipping Register.

Examples of the types of ships that are not eligible for Maritime Crew visa holders to enter Australia on are:

small marine craft, private yachts or superyachts
petroleum export tankers that go to both an offshore resource platform and an Australian port on the same international journey
fishing vessels and trawlers operating in Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone
research vessels that are not owned and operated by a foreign government.

Check your passport

If you plan to get a new passport, you should do so before applying for your visa. Your visa is linked to the passport number you use in your application.

You and your family members need valid passports before we will grant this visa.

A seafarer's identity document is not acceptable with the exception of Chinese, Russian and Vietnamese seafarer passports. If you hold both a seafarer's passport and a national passport, you should apply using your national passport.

If your previous Maritime crew visa is still valid

- you should not apply for another one unless it is going to expire before you are going to enter Australia or during your voyage in Australia as a member of crew of a non-military ship. You must not arrive or be in Australia without a visa.

and you want to fly to Australia to join a ship, you will need another visa to enter Australia. You could apply for a Transit visa (subclass 771), or another visa that lets you enter Australia by air.
You can hold a Maritime Crew visa at the same time as you hold another visa. Your Maritime Crew visa will be the visa in effect while you are signed on to a non-military ship. If you sign off your ship in Australia and you don't hold another visa to stay in Australia, you have five days to depart or apply for another visa to stay in Australia, or your Maritime Crew visa will cease.

To find an appropriate other visa, use the Visa finder.

Get help with your application

Only some people can help you with your application. If you appoint someone to give you immigration assistance they must be:

You can appoint anyone to receive documents on your behalf relating to your visa matter.

Step 2

Gather your documents

You will be able to check ImmiAccount for what documents we need from you before you submit your application.

You should submit the required identity, employment and education/qualification documentation with your application in ImmiAccount. If you do not provide these documents at time of your application, the decision may be delayed.

If you are applying as a partner or dependant of a crew member, we need you to submit identity documents and other documents to prove you are a family member.

Provide accurate documents

Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can't prove your identity or do not provide true information.

Identity documents

Provide:

colour copies of the pages of your current passport showing your:
- photo
- personal details
- passport issue and expiry dates

copy of National Identity Card (both sides) if you have one

Also provide:

proof of change of name if you have had one

Documents that prove a change of name include:

a marriage or divorce certificate
change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, or the relevant overseas authority
documents that show other names you have been known by

Character documents

We will tell you if and when you need to get .

Provide any military service record or discharge papers, if applicable.

Employment documents

Provide:

documentary proof that you are employed on, or will be employed on, a non-military ship that will be in Australia
a statement from the vessel’s local shipping/handling agent. The statement must state:
- your name
- the name of the company employing you
- the name of the ship you will join
- the date you arrive in Australia
- the port and date you expect to join the ship

Education/Qualification documents

Provide evidence of your highest recognised qualification that relates to your employment as a crew member.

This should be a copy of an educational certificate such as a Degree or Diploma.

Partner documents

Provide:

identity documents
character documents
documents about other relationships, if applicable

Provide either:

your current marriage certificate or
enough documents to prove you have been in a de facto relationship with your partner for at least 12 months before you apply

Documents that prove your de facto relationship include:

joint bank account statements
billing accounts in joint names
joint leases or mortgages
documents that show your partner has lived at the same address as you

Dependants under 18 documents

For every dependent under 18 years old who is applying with you, provide:

identity documents
proof of your relationship with them, like a birth or marriage certificate
copies of the adoption paper, if applicable.
character documents, if applicable

Parental responsibility documents

For every dependent under 18 years old who is applying with you, you must get consent from anyone who:

has a legal right to decide where the dependant lives and
is not coming to Australia with the dependant

They must complete either:

Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years (276KB PDF)
a statutory declaration giving their consent for the child to visit Australia on this visa

Include a document with the signature and photo of the person who completed the form or declaration, such as a:

passport
driver’s licence

If the child is not staying with a relative or legal guardian while in Australia, provide Form 1257 Undertaking declaration (211KB PDF). The person they are staying with must sign the form.

Dependants 18 or older documents

To include your child who is over 18 in your visa application, they must be:

over 18 years of age but not yet turned 23, and dependent on you or your partner, or
over 23 years of age, unable to earn a living to support themselves due to physical or cognitive limitations and dependent on you or your partner

Provide:

identity documents
documents about their other relationships, if applicable
character documents

You must also provide proof the child is dependent on you:

proof of your relationship with the dependent such as a birth certificate or adoption papers
a completed Form 47a Details of a child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over (307KB PDF)
proof of financial dependency such as bank statements, money transfers and rent receipts
if the child is aged 23 or is likely to turn 23 while your application is being processed, you must also provide a report from a qualified medical practitioner that states they are dependent on you or your partner due to the total or partial loss of their bodily or mental functions

Tell us you are getting help

To nominate someone to:

receive your correspondence, use Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (301KB PDF)
provide immigration assistance, use Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person (308KB PDF).

Upload your written notification or your forms to ImmiAccount if you applied online, or send with your paper application.

For online applications

Translate

Have all non-English documents translated into English.

Provide original and translated documents in your application.

Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.

Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited. But on each translation, they must include their:

full name
address and telephone number
qualifications and experience in the language they are translating

These details must be in English.

Note: You do not need to have any documents certified.

Scan or photograph

Scan or photograph all documents (English and non-English) in colour.

The scans and photos must be clear.

If a document is more than one page, save it all as one file.

Attach

Attach a document only once, even if you are using it to show more than one thing.

Learn more about attaching documents.

For paper applications

Translate

Have all non-English documents translated into English.

Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.

Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited. But on each translation, they must include their:

full name
address and telephone number
qualifications and experience in the language they are translating

These details must be in English.

Certify

Do not certify police certificates. You need to send us the originals.

Have a of all other documents. This includes:

non-English documents
English translations

Keep a copy of your application.

Send

Send us:

original police certificates
certified copies of all other documents
as much information as possible to help us decide on your application
each document only once, even if you are using it to show more than one thing
all documents with your application, if you can

Step 3

Apply for the visa

You must be outside Australia when you apply. You can be inside or outside Australia when your visa is decided.

Provide accurate information

Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can't prove your identity or do not provide true information.

Apply online

Apply in ImmiAccount
Attach documents
Submit family applications together

You must complete an application for each person travelling to Australia, including children. Each person holds their own visa.

Apply on paper

If you can't apply online, complete the following form:

Form 1273 Application for a Maritime Crew (Temporary) visa (285KB PDF)

Send the completed form by post or courier to the address specified on the form. Mark the envelope 'Attention: Maritime Global Processing Centre'.

Step 4

After you apply

We will let you know when we have received your application.

Status updates

We can’t give updates on applications within the standard processing time.

If you applied online, you can check if we need more information from you in ImmiAccount.

Wait for us to contact you if you applied on paper.

Send us more information

We might also ask you to provide more information. If we need more information from you we will let you know by messaging you through ImmiAccount.

Stay lawful

If you are in Australia, make sure you stay lawful by holding a valid visa while we process your application.

If you are in Australia and your visa is cancelled, you could become unlawful in Australia.

Learn more about visa expiry.

Mistakes on your application

Let us know as soon as you can.

Complete Form 1023 Notification of incorrect answers (168KB PDF) and attach it in ImmiAccount.

Help with your application

Let us know if you no longer want someone to:

receive your correspondence - complete Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (301KB PDF)
provide immigration advice - complete Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person (308KB PDF).

Upload your written notification or your forms to ImmiAccount if you applied online, or send to the office where you submitted your application.

Tell us if things change

Things you need to let us know about after you have applied include:

changes to your phone number, address or passport
changes to your marital or de facto status
the birth of a child
you want to withdraw your application

See how to tell us if your situation changes.

Step 5

Visa outcome

We will let you know our decision in writing.

If we grant your visa, we will tell you:

your visa grant number
the date your visa starts
your visa conditions.

Keep a copy of the decision.

If we refuse your visa, we will tell you:

why we refused the visa
if you have a right to a review of the decision

When you have this visa

Coming to Australia

In Australia

Leaving Australia

Coming to Australia

Check your travel documents

You must have:

a valid passport or other acceptable travel document
the passport you used in your application
if entering Australia by air, a valid visa to enter Australia as well as this visa.

A seafarer's identity document is not acceptable. If you hold both a seafarer's passport and a national passport, you should use your national passport.

When you hold this visa:

you can enter or leave Australia by sea as crew member of a Maritime Crew visa eligible ship as many times as you like during the validity of your visa
you can sign off your ship and have five days (or a period specified by the Department of Home Affairs) to join another Maritime Crew visa eligible ship or to leave Australia
only perform work in Australia that meets the usual operational duties of a crew member of your Maritime Crew visa eligible ship
only fly to Australia if you hold another valid Australian visa.

To find an appropriate other visa, use the Visa finder.

Check that any ship that you will be on in Australia is a Maritime Crew visa eligible ship.

In Australia

What you must do on your visa

You must follow all visa conditions and Australian laws.

Staying longer

You cannot apply for a Maritime Crew visa while you are in Australia.

You must hold a valid visa for the whole time that you are in Australia. If a change in plans means that you will not be able to leave Australia until after your current visa expires, you should apply for another visa before your visa expires.

Explore your visa options

If you cannot leave Australia within 5 days of signing off your ship, a small extension can be given in limited circumstances. It is important that you contact us while your Maritime Crew visa is still valid to ask for an extension.

See your visa expiry, conditions and work and study entitlements in VEVO.

Proving you have a visa

To prove you have a visa and show your conditions to someone, use VEVO.

Working

Maritime Crew visa holders can only work as the crew member of a Maritime Crew visa eligible ship.

To see your conditions for work, use VEVO.

For information on your workplace rights and entitlements, see the Australian Maritime Safety Authority's regulations and standards.

Leaving Australia

Before you leave

Check your travel documents

You must have a valid passport or other travel document to leave Australia.

After you leave

International Movement Record

To prove you have been to Australia, request your international movement records.

Official Information

For complete eligibility requirements, application process, processing times and costs, visit the official Department of Home Affairs page.

View on Home Affairs

Important Disclaimer

The information on this page is intended as a general guide only. Always verify the latest details on the official Department of Home Affairs website or seek help from a registered migration agent.