Philippines Crew Visa
The Philippines Crew Visa, officially the 9(c) Non-Immigrant Seaman or Crew List Visa, is issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to any foreign national who, in good faith, has signed on the articles of a vessel arriving at a port of the Philippines from any place outside the country, employed in any capacity on board that vessel, and seeking to enter the Philippines solely in pursuit of their calling as a seaman, with the intention of departing again with the vessel. According to official Philippine Consulate guidance, applications for this visa are generally submitted by a local shipping agent in the Philippines on behalf of the vessel, rather than by the individual crew member directly. Once approved, the visaed crew list is collected by the local agent and given to the Vessel Master or Captain for presentation to Philippine immigration authorities upon arrival. As with all Philippines Visa categories, the final decision on admission rests with the Bureau of Immigration at the port of entry.
Eligibility
Based on official DFA and Philippine Consulate guidance, applicants for a 9(c) Crew Visa must generally:
- Be a foreign national who has, in good faith, signed on the articles of a vessel arriving at a Philippine port from outside the country.
- Be employed in any capacity on board that vessel.
- Seek to enter the Philippines solely in pursuit of their calling as a seaman, intending to depart again with the same vessel.
- Be included on the vessel’s official crew list, submitted by the local shipping agent on the vessel’s behalf.
- Hold a valid passport or seafarer’s travel document.
Government Visa Fees
Fees vary by the specific Philippine Embassy or Consulate processing the application.
| Fee Type | Amount |
| 9(c) Crew List Visa fee (per crew member, varies by mission) | Approximately USD 20 (some missions), non-refundable |
| INR Equivalent | Information may vary depending on the visa category and individual circumstances |
The visa fee is generally payable by the local shipping agent to the Consulate cashier, typically by money order rather than cash or personal cheque, and is non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
Processing Time
According to official Philippine Consulate guidance, the local shipping agent submits the crew list and required documentation, pays the applicable visa fee, and then collects the visaed crew list once processed, which is provided to the Vessel Master or Captain for presentation upon arrival. Specific processing timelines are not uniformly published and can vary by mission and vessel schedule; shipping agents should coordinate with the relevant Philippine Embassy or Consulate well in advance of the vessel’s arrival to ensure the crew list is processed in time.
Required Documents Checklist
Step-by-Step Application Process
Important Notes
Why Choose Shivansh Consultants
Applying for a Philippines Crew Visa requires accurate documentation, valid crew credentials, and compliance with the visa requirements prescribed by the Philippine authorities. At Shivansh Consultants, we provide personalized guidance and end-to-end support, assisting you with crew visa application forms, passport documentation, crew identification documents, employment letters, airline or shipping company documents, travel itinerary, and all required supporting paperwork. Our experienced consultants carefully review every application to help minimize errors, reduce delays, and ensure your documentation meets the applicable crew visa requirements. We are committed to delivering transparent, reliable, and client-focused assistance throughout your Philippines Crew Visa application process. While the final decision on visa approval rests solely with the Philippine immigration authorities, our goal is to help you submit a complete, accurate, and well-prepared Philippines Crew Visa application with confidence.