A crew or seafarer visa lets airline crew and ship seafarers join their vessel or aircraft abroad, or transit through a country to reach it. It is tied to the crew role and the vessel or airline.
By Krosz Editorial Team · Reviewed by Krosz Visa Operations · Updated 2026-09-15
Find requirements by country
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Destination
Passport
Purpose
Joining a ship or aircraft abroad as crew, or transiting to reach it.
Who it’s for
Airline crew, ship officers and seafarers with a confirmed joining assignment.
How you apply
Application with the crew assignment, vessel details and seafarer documents.
How Krosz helps
Krosz can help you understand the general crew/seafarer visa route and documents. We are a private service and not a government authority.
Destinations
Researched from official immigration sources. Each country has its own detailed guide.
Crewmember (D) visa, usually issued as combined C-1/D transit-crewmember visa
Schengen short-stay visa (seafarer)
Schengen visa for seamen (seafarer)
Visitor in Transit visa / Direct Airside Transit visa / Standard Visitor (seafarer activities)
Maritime Crew visa (subclass 988)
Schengen visa for seafarers
Figures come from each country's official immigration source, linked on every guide. Always confirm before applying.
Overview
A crew or seafarer visa lets a person join a ship or aircraft as crew abroad, or transit through a country to reach their vessel. It is tied to the crew role and the specific vessel or airline.
It is designed for working crew — officers, engineers, ratings, cabin crew — with a confirmed joining assignment. The visa is usually short and tied to the joining date and vessel.
It differs from a transit visa, which is for passengers passing through, and from a work visa, which is for taking local employment.
Exemptions depend on your nationality, destination and circumstances — always confirm for your exact case.
Activities
Joining the vessel
Boarding the assigned ship or aircraft.
Transit to vessel
Passing through to reach the joining port.
Short port stay
A brief stay linked to the joining or sign-off.
What you normally cannot do
Documents
Only documents relevant to this category. Exact requirements vary by country — confirm for your destination.
Passport / seafarer book
Valid passport and seafarer's identity document where applicable.
Photograph
Recent photo meeting the destination's rules.
Application form
Completed crew/seafarer visa application.
Joining letter
Letter from the company assigning the crew to the vessel.
Vessel details
Vessel name, flag and port of joining.
Medical & training
Medical fitness and required crew training certificates.
Process
Steps may differ by destination and your circumstances.
Get the assignment
Receive a joining letter naming the vessel and port.
Prepare crew documents
Gather seafarer book, medical and training certificates.
Confirm the route
Check whether you need a crew visa or transit through another country.
Apply & pay
Submit the crew/seafarer visa application.
Processing
The authority verifies the assignment and vessel.
Decision
Receive a visa tied to the joining date and vessel.
Need help with your Crew / Seafarer Visa?
Tell us where you're going — a Krosz visa expert will walk you through it.
Comparison
| Point of comparison | Crew / Seafarer Visa | Transit Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Working crew joining a vessel | Passengers passing through |
| Basis | Crew assignment + vessel | Onward journey as a passenger |
| Key document | Joining letter + seafarer book | Onward ticket |
| Activities | Joining/sign-off the vessel | Connecting travel |
Be prepared
Practical
FAQ
About the Crew / Seafarer Visa, answered by Krosz visa experts.
A visa for airline crew or ship seafarers to join their vessel or aircraft abroad, or transit to reach it, tied to the crew assignment.
Many seafarer routes require a seafarer's identity document in addition to a passport. Check the destination's rules.
Short shore leave is often allowed under the crew visa or ship arrangements, but rules vary by port.
A crew visa is for working crew joining a vessel based on an assignment; a transit visa is for passengers passing through.
Passport, seafarer book where applicable, joining letter, vessel details and valid medical and training certificates.
No. A crew visa is for the specific vessel assignment, not for local jobs.
Usually tied to the joining or sign-off date — short and role-specific.
Krosz can help you understand the route and documents. We are a private service and not a government authority.
Share your trip and a Krosz visa expert will explain the crew / seafarer visa process for your destination. No documents or payment needed at this stage.
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Krosz is a private visa & travel assistance service — not a government website, agency or embassy. Visas are granted solely by the relevant government authorities.
Krosz is a private visa assistance platform and is not affiliated with any government or embassy. Visa decisions are made by the relevant authorities. Last reviewed: 2026-09-15.
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