Visa requirements for crew members

Visa requirements for crew members are administrative entry restrictions imposed by countries on members of a ship or aircraft crew during transit.

These requirements for permission to enter a territory for a short duration and perform their predefined duties in the given areas are distinct from actual formal permission for an alien to enter and remain in a territory.

The validity of transit visas for crew members are usually limited to short terms such as several hours to 10 days depending on the size of the country and the circumstances. Visa policies for crew members are set by the country and apply during transit or when joining the vessel or aircraft. It is usually illegal for crew members to perform repairs or do similar work without work permits when either in port, or when travelling in territorial waters. A few countries offer a visa waiver program or do not issue a crew visa, but allow entry for a limited time with mandatory clearance documents.

Overview
An application for a crew visa in advance of arrival may grant non-citizens clearance to enter a country and remain there within specified constraints and regions without prohibiting employment. Crew members are typically required to enter or exit the country with the aircraft, train, or ship they work on.

Many countries mandate that crew members obtain relevant crew visas. As a result, crew members often carry second passports: one for visa submissions and another as a backup in case of a short-notice trip. Crew visas can be obtained directly from embassies, but many companies utilize third-party providers to expedite the application process for multi-entry visas.

This category includes pilots, flight attendants, sailors, and other employees on board a vessel whose services are essential for its normal operation.