Australian Immigration News

Australia Immigration Officials has introduced a new Visa for the 130,000 foreign shipping crews on boats that travel to Australia each year.

The Migration Amendment (Maritime Crew) Act 2007, passed by the Australian Parliament on 10 May 2007, introduces the new Maritime Crew Visa. This now brings foreign sea crews in line with most other visitors to Australia, and will allow security checks to occur before a crew are granted a visa to enter Australia.

The majority of the 130,000 foreign sea crews that visit Australia each year are crews on cargo ships and the rest are from cruise ships.

“The Maritime visa strikes a balance between our national security interests and the demands of the shipping industry. It will allow genuine foreign sea crew entry and enable effective shipping operations while further strengthening Australia’s border integrity.”

The introduction of the Maritime Visa was announced in December of 2005 as part of the budget plan to improve Australian border security.

Applications for the new visa will be available from 01 July 2007, with a transition period in place for six months after, to allow the maritime industry and other seafarers to become accustomed to the new procedures.

From 01 January 2008, it will become mandatory for foreign sea crews traveling to Australia to hold Maritime Crew visas.

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