Maritime Crew Visa

Training Presentation for Maritime Crew Manning Agents

4 July 2007

Welcome / Overview

• What is the Maritime Crew Visa (MCV)?

• Who is required to hold an MCV?

• How to apply for an MCV

• Processing of Transit visas in the Philippines

• Questions

� Maritime Crew Visa (MCV) commenced on 1 July 2007 for foreign crew of non-military ships.

� The MCV will replace the Special Purpose Visa (SPV) granted automatically when crew arrive by sea on a non-military ship, or sign-on to a non-military ship in Australia.

Who is required to hold an MCV?

All foreign crew (including supernumerary crew) of non-military ships are required to hold an MCV.

Key features of the MCV

• Foreign sea crew (other than New Zealand citizens) will be required to hold an MCV for arrival and stay in Australia. This includes supernumerary crew. Spouse and dependent children of crew may hold an MCV if accompanying crew.

• MCV will be free of charge.

• MCV will be granted for three (3) years from date of grant and is valid while the crew member remains with their ship in Australia.

• MCV will allow multiple entries to Australia by sea during the 3 year validity.

• MCV will only be valid for travel to Australia by sea as ships’ crew.

• The MCV can be held at the same time as other temporary visas.

Key features (cont)

• MCV will not allow travel to Australia by air. All crew will need to obtain another visa for air travel, such as a Transit visa.

• Crew arriving in Australia without a visa valid for air travel will be refused entry and removed on the next available aircraft.

• MCV will only permit work associated with the duties performed as crew with the vessel.

• An MCV application may be lodged by a third party, such as a shipping agent, on behalf of an individual applicant, based on information provided by the applicant.

• MCV is an electronic visa. No visa label for the MCV will appear in the passport.

• Visa applicants must be outside Australia at the time of applying for an MCV.

How to apply for an MCV

Internet applications

� Internet application available 1 July 2007

through www.immi.gov.au/sea.

� Internet application will take minutes to complete provided all information is available.

� Processing of internet applications will commence immediately upon receipt and most will be finalised within days.

� Any follow-up information required from clients will be managed by the Brisbane Global Processing Centre.

� For third party internet lodgement, no registration or additional forms are required.

How to apply for an MCV

Paper applications

� Paper applications can be lodged only by mail or courier to the Brisbane Global Processing Centre (BGPC) in Australia.

� The paper application form will be available from 1 July from the website www.immi.gov.au/sea.

� Printed forms will not be made available at post or PIASI. Applicants must download the application form.

� Most paper applications are expected to be finalised within four weeks from the date of receipt in the BGPC.

� If third parties wish to lodge the paper application, Form 956 must also be completed.

� Progress of an Internet application may be checked at any time by clients using a Transaction Reference Number (TRN) which will be provided upon e-visa application.

� A separate Internet facility will allow shipping operators and agents to verify the existence of an MCV for crew at any time using the person’s passport number, nationality of passport, and date of birth.

� Both internet checking facilities will be available at the DIAC website from 1 July 2007.

� As the Visa Office in Manila does not process MCVs, we will not be able to respond to any queries regarding the status of an application.

Online checking of status of MCV application

On-line application query

• a

On-line application query• a

1 July to 31 December 2007

� MCV applications commenced on 1 July 2007.

� A 6-month transitional period until 31 December 2007 will allow industry time to comply with the MCV requirements.

� During this period, the SPV arrangements will continue and ensure that crew who arrive without an MCV may still arrive lawfully in Australia.

� New sign-on notification forms are required by Customs at least 24 hours before crew sign-on. You must provide details to Australian agents in advance. Refer to customs website for form.

MCV Transitional Period

1 January 2008 – Mandatory Requirement

� From 1 January 2008, the MCV will be mandatory for crew arriving in Australia by sea on a non-military ship.

� Crew who arrive without an MCV (and no other visa) will be restricted on board the vessel.

� The operator, master, charterer, and agent may also be liable for a fine of AUD$5,000 for each person who arrives without an MCV.

MCV Transitional Period

Crew joining a vessel in Australia

� Crew traveling to Australia by air to join a vessel must hold a valid visa for air travel such as a Transit visa, Tourist visa or an Electronic Travel Authority.

� MCV required for crew sign-on in Australia.

� From 1 January 2008, crew who do not hold an MCV at time of sign-on may face visa cancellation (if the visa held does not permit work) and restriction on board the vessel.

� Applications for Transit visas will require evidence of valid MCV.

� In most instances, Transit visas will continue to be granted for single travel only.

� From 1 August 2007, if a Transit visa applicant does not have an MCV, processing of an application may be delayed until evidence of an MCV is provided.

� From 1 January 2008, if a Transit visa applicant does not have an MCV, the visa will be refused.

Processing Transit Visas

Start applying for the MCV from 1 July 2007 to avoid any possible problems or

delays

�Visit the website and subscribe to the MCV mailing list for email updates: www.immi.gov.au/sea

�Email: mcv@immi.gov.au

Further information

Scenarios

1. Mr Miguel Tolentino is arriving in Sydney on MV Sinbad where he will sign-off the vessel and to return to the Philippines. What type of visa does he need?

2. MV Tampa is docking in Brisbane for three days, however, none of the crew will be signing-off. Do the crew require an MCV?

Scenarios (cont)

3. Mr Jerry Boy Santamaria is flying to Melbourne to sign-on to the MV Kinshasa. What type of visa does he need?