Visa for seafarers

Italy has introduced a seafarers visa that allows crew members of yachts and ships from outside the EU to board ships flying a non-Italian flag without the need to obtain a prior work permit and thus greatly facilitates the process of entry and work in Italy for seafarers and crew members.

Main features of this type of visa

Generally, under Italian law seafarers are not required to obtain a prior work permit issued by the Ministry of the Interior.

Foreign seafarers (so-called “gente di mare”) destined to board on ships flying the Italian flag are exempt from visas for subordinate employment in accordance with the Navigation Code, while foreigners employed in complementary services on board/hotels embarked on Italian cruise ships can obtain a visa for subordinate employment/seafarer.

With the Legislative Decree of 21 March 2022, n. 21, art. 27 of Legislative Decree no. 286/1998, which introduces paragraph 1-septies, which extends the scope of application for the issuance of the national visa for subordinate workers/seafarers by extending it to those who onboard in Italy also on ships flying a foreign flag (i.e. non-Italian). This category of seafarers also now has the possibility of applying for a long-stay national D visa which can be issued for a maximum duration of 365 days directly by the Italian Consulate - as mentioned - without the need to obtain a permit to work in Italy.

The visa application, unlike what happens with all other types of long- or short-stay visas provided for by Italian legislation, can be submitted at any Italian consulate, regardless of the place of residence of the maritime worker.

Required documents

To apply for a seafarers visa, applicants must submit the following documents:

- Formal request from the shipping company providing information about the ship, the activity to be carried out and the arrival and onboarding dates

- Individual employment contract

- If the seafarer is not a direct employee of the shipping company, a valid contract for the provision of services with the company that plays the role of employer is required

- Certificate of registration of the ship in the Italian/international register

- Official letter signed by the Italian Port Authority confirming the arrival date and the mooring period of the ship

- Booking of arrival and return flights

- Medical insurance to cover risks during the travel period

It is important to note that the Italian Consulate may request additional documents at its discretion.

Conclusion

The new visa for seafarers provided for by Italian legislation represents a great opportunity for professionals in the maritime sector, simplifying the procedures for entry and work in the country and, in particular, for those workers who are destined to carry out activities on ships that do not necessarily fly the Italian flag.

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The content of this article is intended to provide general guidance on the subject. It is essential to seek specialized advice to address your specific situation.