Other Visas - Subclass 988

Maritime Crew Visa 988: for foreign crew on eligible international ships.

The subclass 988 Maritime Crew Visa (MCV) allows foreign crew members of eligible non-military ships to enter and stay in Australia while working onboard during an international voyage. It carries no visa application charge, is valid for up to three years, and covers entry and departure by sea only.

No visa application charge3-year validitySea entry and departure onlyNon-military shipsFamily members can be included

Start My Visa Assessment Speak With a Registered Agent

What the 988 Is For

Foreign seafarers on eligible ships taking international voyages.

The Maritime Crew Visa (subclass 988) allows foreign nationals who are crew members of eligible non-military ships to enter Australia by sea, stay while their ship is in Australian waters, work in their crew capacity, and depart by sea. It applies to the crew of commercial ships on international voyages - cargo ships, passenger vessels, petroleum export tankers, and similar.

The 988 carries no visa application charge and is typically valid for up to three years, linked to the holder's passport number. Multiple trips can be made during the validity period. Importantly, entry and departure must be by sea - if a crew member needs to fly into Australia to join a ship, a separate visa is required (such as a Transit Visa subclass 771 for stays under 72 hours).

Eligibility Requirements

Who can apply and what you need.

Outside Australia at the time of applicationYou must apply while you are offshore. The 988 cannot be applied for from within Australia.

Crew member of an eligible shipYou must be employed (or have an offer of employment) as a crew member on an eligible non-military ship that will be making an international voyage to Australia. Eligible ships include commercial cargo ships, passenger vessels, petroleum export tankers, and ships on the Australian International Shipping Register.

Ineligible shipsFishing vessels (most), private research vessels, yachts, superyachts, and private boats do not qualify. Offshore resource workers who only work while the ship is in port are also not eligible - crew members must travel with the ship.

Not an Australian citizen or permanent residentAustralian citizens and current permanent residents cannot hold the 988.

Health, character and quarantine complianceYou must meet health requirements, report any infectious diseases on arrival, and satisfy character checks.

No outstanding debts to the Australian GovernmentAny debts owed to the Department or Australian Government must be resolved before applying.

Conditions - What You Can and Cannot Do

The key conditions on the 988.

Permitted under the 988

What you can do

Enter and depart Australia by sea as a crew member. Stay in Australia while your ship is here and you are working as crew. Work as a crew member of your eligible ship. Travel to and from Australia by sea multiple times during the visa's validity.

Not permitted under the 988

What you cannot do

Fly into or out of Australia (sea travel only). Work onshore or in activities not directly related to your duties as a crew member. Stay as a tourist or visitor. Work for another employer or on another ship. Establish permanent residency.

Family members can be included. The partner and dependent children of a crew member may be included on the same 988 application, provided they will be travelling on the same ship. Family members included in a 988 cannot work - work rights apply only to the primary crew member applicant.

How to Apply

Application process for the 988.

The 988 application is lodged online via ImmiAccount while you are outside Australia. You will need to provide evidence of your employment as a crew member (or your offer of employment), details of the eligible ship, your passport, and evidence that you meet health and character requirements.

Processing times are generally relatively quick for straightforward crew applications - typically around two to four weeks, though this depends on your circumstances and is not guaranteed. If your ship is already in Australian waters, note that you must not have entered without a valid visa - prior authorisation is required.

What the 988 costs. The 988 has no visa application charge - there is genuinely no government fee for the visa itself. A professional fee may still apply separately: if you ask us to prepare and lodge your application, we charge for that work and quote it in writing for your situation. We confirm the current government position at the time you apply, since charges can change.

Common Questions

Maritime Crew Visa questions answered.

Choosing the right visa: 988 vs 600 vs 771

Crew often confuse three visas. The 988 is for working on board an eligible ship and entering by sea. The Subclass 600 Visitor visa and Subclass 771 Transit visa cover situations where you arrive by air or pass through Australia. The table below shows when each typically applies - your circumstances decide the right fit, so confirm with us before you lodge.

	988 Maritime Crew	600 Visitor	771 Transit
Who it suits	Foreign crew of an eligible non-military ship on an international voyage to Australia	People visiting Australia for tourism, business or family, including crew arriving by air before boarding	People transiting Australia, or crew joining or leaving a ship, for a very short period
Entry mode	By sea only - cannot fly in or out on this visa	By air or sea	By air, typically while passing through
Government fee	No visa application charge (professional fee may apply separately)	An application charge applies; we quote our professional fee in writing	Generally no charge; we quote our professional fee in writing
Typical stay	Valid up to 3 years; multiple voyages while crewing	Usually up to 3, 6 or 12 months per the stream granted	Up to 72 hours
Work rights	Crew duties on the eligible ship only	No work; visitor activities only	No work; transit only

I need to fly to Australia to join my ship. What visa do I need?

The 988 requires sea entry. If you need to fly into Australia to board your ship, you will need a separate visa for the flying-in portion - typically a Transit Visa (subclass 771) for stays up to 72 hours while you join your ship, or another appropriate short-stay visa for longer periods onshore before boarding.

My ship is a fishing vessel. Can I get a 988?

Most fishing vessels are not eligible ships for the 988. There are very limited exceptions. If you work on a fishing vessel, speak to us - there may be a different visa class that applies, or we can confirm whether an exception might cover your situation.

Can I work onshore while my ship is in port?

The 988 restricts your work to crew duties on the eligible ship. General work onshore in Australia is not permitted under the 988. Activities directly related to your duties as a crew member (such as customs documentation, cargo supervision that is integral to your role) may be covered, but general onshore employment is not.

Do I need a new 988 for every voyage?

No. The 988 is valid for up to three years and allows multiple voyages to Australia during that period. You do not need to apply each time your ship calls at an Australian port.

Can I extend my 988 if my ship keeps calling at Australian ports?

There is no per-voyage extension because none is needed. The 988 is generally valid for up to three years and permits multiple voyages within that window, so a single grant typically covers a series of calls at Australian ports. There is no extension mechanism that adds time to an existing 988. When the visa expires - or if you are issued a new passport, since the 988 is linked to your passport number - you would lodge a fresh application rather than extend the old one. We can confirm the position for your specific passport and ship schedule.

What documents prove I am a crew member for the 988?

You will generally need your employment contract or a letter of offer for a crew position, confirmation of the ship's identity and registry details, a letter from the employer or ship operator stating your role on board, a copy of your passport, and evidence that you meet health requirements where these apply to your circumstances. The role letter should come from the employer or ship operator rather than a third party. Exact requirements depend on your situation, so we confirm the checklist with you before lodging.

Can my family travel with me on the 988 if they are also crew?

Your spouse or partner and dependent children can be included in the same 988 application, provided they will travel on the same ship. Only the primary crew member applicant holds work rights under the 988 - included family members cannot work, even if they are also engaged in a crew capacity. If a family member needs their own work rights as crew, they would generally need to be assessed as a primary applicant in their own right. We can advise on the right structure for your family's travel.

What happens if my ship changes route and does not call at Australia during my 988 validity?

The 988 is tied to your passport and is simply available for use if your ship comes to Australia. If your ship's route changes and you do not visit Australia during the three-year window, the visa remains valid but unused until it expires. There is no government fee to refund, and a route change does not extend the validity period - the three years run from grant regardless of how many voyages you make. If your schedule later brings you back after expiry, you would lodge a fresh application.

Does the 988 have a government fee?

The 988 has no visa application charge - there is genuinely no government fee for the visa itself. That is separate from any professional fee. If you engage us to prepare and lodge the application, we charge a professional fee for that work, which we quote in writing for your situation. Government charges can change, so we confirm the current position at the time you apply.

Related Help

Where to from here.

Flying in to join shipVisitor Visa 600If you need to arrive by air, a visitor visa may cover the period before boarding. Work onshoreSkills in Demand 482If you want to work in Australia onshore, a work visa is a different pathway. All short-stayVisitor Visas OverviewOther short-stay options for time in Australia.

Written and reviewed by Brian Chan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2217857)

Visa Store Australia, Perth · Last reviewed June 2026 · Verify on the MARA register · General information only, not personal migration advice.

Questions about crew visas?

Maritime crew situations can be complex - ship eligibility, entry mode and family inclusions all have specific rules. We can confirm the right visa for your situation quickly.