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988 — Maritime Crew visa (subclass 988)
AustraliaAustralia•Oceania
Open

988 — Maritime Crew visa (subclass 988)

Tourist Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

0–1 days

Estimated Cost

Free

Stay Duration

As long as you are signed on as a crew member of an MCV eligible ship

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information
Australia flag

Living in Australia

Cost of Living
2% more than United States
Avg SalaryA$73,000
Quality of Life
187/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

Free, fast entry permit for foreign crew on specified commercial cargo or passenger vessels arriving at Australian ports during an international voyage.

The Australian Maritime Crew visa (subclass 988) lets foreign crew on qualifying commercial ships — cargo or international passenger vessels — enter Australia by sea while on an international voyage. The visa is free and typically processed within 1–3 days.

Stay duration is tied to your signed-on status aboard the ship; there is no fixed end date while you remain active crew. Work is limited to shipboard operational duties — no land-based employment is permitted. Dependent partners and children may hold the visa if travelling on the same vessel.

This visa is ideal for professional mariners — deckhands, engineers, officers — working on international commercial voyages to Australian ports who need a fast, cost-free entry mechanism.

Australia

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Stay & Extensions

Status typeTied to program duration

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be outside Australia at the time of application.

Must be a bona fide crew member (or have a job offer) on a qualifying ship (e.g., commercial cargo or passenger ship on an international voyage).

Must not be a crew member on a non-qualifying ship (e.g., private research vessels, most fishing vessels, yachts, or superyachts).

Must not be an Australian citizen or holder of a permanent Australian visa.

Must meet health and character requirements.

Must have no outstanding debt to the Australian Government.

Must not have a history of refused or cancelled visa applications.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport (seafarer's identity documents are generally not accepted).

Evidence of employment as a crew member (e.g., employment contract, letter of offer).

Evidence of qualifications related to maritime duties.

Relationship documents for family members (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate).

Police certificates (if requested by the Department of Home Affairs).

National identity card (if applicable).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Fast processing
  • Free of charge

Worth Knowing

  • Work restricted to ship operations
  • Must be outside Australia to apply

Application Process

1

Verify ship qualification

2

Gather documents

3

Apply online

4

Await decision

Application Forms

Go to application portal
1273—
1273
Application for a Maritime Crew (Temporary) visa
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1273Fill online
1273—
1273
Application for a Maritime Crew (Temporary) visa
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1273Fill online
1273—
1273
Application for a Maritime Crew (Temporary) visa
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1273Fill online

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