988 Visa Maritime Crew

Benefits

• arrive and depart Australia by sea as a crew member of a non-military ship

• stay in Australia while you are a crew member of a non-military ship that is in Australia, provided the ship has not been imported

• only perform work in Australia as a crew member that meets the normal operational requirements of your ship

• You can Include family members in your application

Eligibility and Requirements

You might be able to get a Maritime Crew visa (subclass 988 visa) if:

• you are outside Australia

• you are or will be a crew member on a non-military ship that is taking an international voyage to Australia

• you are not an Australian Citizen

• you will enter or leave Australia by sea as a sea crew.

• The ship must be either:

• used for commercial trading

• used for carrying paying passengers

• owned and operated by a foreign government to do scientific research, or

• approved for ‘public vessel status’ by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Crew members are articled members of crew and include people under contract or subcontract to work on a ship while it is at sea. Personnel undertaking scientific research on a research ship owned by a foreign government are also included.

How it works

Step 1: Before you apply

• See if you hold a Maritime Crew visa (subclass 988 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.

Step 2: Gather your documents

• The required identity, employment and education/qualification documentation should be submitted with your application in ImmiAccount. If these documents are not provided at the time of application, the outcome of your application may be delayed.

• If you are applying as a partner or dependent on a crew member, you will be required to submit identity documents and other documents to prove you are a member of the family unit.

Step 3: Apply for the visa

• You must be outside Australia when you apply. 

Step 4: After you apply

•  Department will inform you once they receive the application.

•  While waiting for the visa to be granted, you need to inform the department if there is any information that needs to be updated or if there are any changes in your circumstances.

Step 5: Visa Outcome

• You may be inside or outside Australia when the department makes a decision on your application. Department will let you know the decision in writing.

Our Services 

At Think Visa, we are experienced in managing subclass 988 visa applications, and can help you with:

• Documentation and evidence collection

• Preparing your visa application

• Lodging and monitoring your visa application

• Managing your bridging visas

• Health and character assessment

• Correspondence with the Department of Immigration until the visa grant

 Please contact us today so we can make your goals become a reality. 

Think Visa can also provide you with successful strategies depending on your circumstances:

• Previous visa refusals/cancellations

• Tribunal appeals

• Packaged visas to achieve ultimate migration goal

Migration law is complex and is constantly changing. Let Think Visa do the thinking for you!

 Other relevant information

Australian Citizen
Transit visa (subclass 771).