Visitor and other · Subclass 988
Maritime Crew visa
Free visa for foreign crew arriving by sea on an eligible ship on an international voyage.
Who it is for
Articled crew members of an eligible ship (such as a cargo or passenger ship) on an international voyage to Australia, and their partner or dependent child travelling on the same ship with the master's permission.
Key eligibility
- Be outside Australia when you apply.
- Be a crew member, or have a current offer to be one, on a Maritime Crew visa eligible ship; some ships are ineligible.
- Meet health and quarantine requirements and character.
Where to apply, and bridging visas
Outside Australia. You can be in or outside Australia when it is decided. Do not travel without the visa.
Your journey, step by step
Apply online
Apply before the voyage.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent usually not needed.
Arrive by sea
Stay while signed on to an eligible ship; sign off only to join another eligible ship or leave.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent advises if you need to stay after signing off.
Stay longer
You cannot apply for a new Maritime Crew visa in Australia; apply for another visa before this one ceases.
The Department of Home Affairs makes every decision. No one can promise a grant, an invitation or a faster decision.
Government charges from 1 July 2026
| Applicant or item | Charge |
|---|---|
| Charge | Nil |
Health checks, police certificates, translations, skills assessments and English tests are extra and paid to the provider. Our professional fee is separate and quoted in writing. Estimate total charges for your family.
Source: Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026, read 22 October 2026. Confirm in the Visa Pricing Estimator before you pay.
Processing times
Source: Home Affairs visa processing time guide, read 22 October 2026. Check the current Home Affairs guide. A guide only; times change monthly and are not a promise.
Common refusal risks
- Ship not eligible, or not an articled crew member.
- Character.
Drawn from the published criteria and general practice experience, not Department statistics.
Document checklist
Tick items as you collect them. Ticks are saved in this browser only and are not sent to us. This is a general list; the Department may ask for more.
0 of 0 collected
The Immigration Worldwide. Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130. General information, checked 22 October 2026.
Sources and checks
- Home Affairs: Maritime Crew visa (subclass 988)
- Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026
Related
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice about your situation. Australian advice is given by Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130.
Talk it through. The first 15 minutes are free and general. Personal advice starts only after a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.