Maritime Crew Visa applications during festive season

13 Nov 2024 / Australia

Australia’s Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) Maritime Global Processing Centre (MGPC) will be closed, or operating with limited staff, from 4pm on Friday 20 December 2024 until start of business on Thursday 2 January 2025.

The processing of some eligible Maritime Crew (subclass 988) Visas (MCVs) may continue during this period. However, MCV applications requiring further assessment by a departmental officer, such as incomplete visa applications or those requiring further information, may not be decided within this period.

Those needing MCVs granted for entry into, or to remain in, Australia over the Christmas and New Year holiday period must lodge their applications at least 15 business days prior to departure from a port overseas in order to minimise delays to processing.

This means MCV applications should be lodged no later than close of business Monday 9 December 2024 for crew who are intending to arrive in Australia from an overseas port between 21 December and 8 January 2025.

It is the responsibility of crew members and shipping companies to ensure that all non-Australian crew have a valid visa for entry into Australia.

For information about operations in Australia, contact GAC Australia at [email protected]

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.