Australia's New Visa Policy for Foreign Seafarers

2007POEA MARKET UPDATE NO. 13-07AUSTRALIA'S NEW VISA POLICY FOR FOREIGN SEAFARERSThe government of Australia will implement a new visa policy procedure for foreign crew members starting 1 July 2007. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs has reported last May that the Migration Amendment (Maritime Crew) Act of 2007, passed by the Australian Parliament on 10 May 2007, would require security checks before foreign crews are granted visas to enter Australia. The Act seeks to strike a balance between Australia's national security interests and the demands of the shipping industry.Under the Act, the Maritime Crew Visa (MCV) will replace the current Special Purpose Visa (SPV) granted on arrival of foreign crew holding a valid passport and have been issued with a document that establishes their employment on the ship. It largely follows the existing SPV arrangements for foreign crew and their accompanying spouse and dependent children (where traveling with crew). However, the MCV will require a formal visa application to be made outside Australia to allow security checking of foreign crew and align them with other...