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988 Visa: Maritime Crew

Struggling to find a clear course for your maritime crew’s immigration needs to Australia? Parish Patience can help steer you through the process of obtaining a 988 visa with ease. Our expertise can make it possible for you to have a lawful and hassle-free sailing to Australia. Let’s navigate these waters together and make your entire crew’s Australian voyage a smooth and confident one. Speak to one of our Australian immigration consultants in a scheduled meeting.

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    Maritime Crew Visa Subclass 988

    The 988 subclass visa is a temporary visa for maritime crew members and their qualified dependent family members to gain lawful entry to Australia together through an eligible ship when on an international voyage. This visa category allows foreign crew members to:

    • Arrive or leave Australia by sea only through an eligible ship
    • Remain in Australia for an indefinite period as long as you are a certified crew member of a recognised ship
    • Join a different eligible ship and sign off your current one, or to depart Australia
    • Render work in Australia that satisfies your standard operational duties as the eligible ship’s crew member

    It’s important to note that you can only arrive lawfully in Australia by sea using this visa. Should you intend to fly to Australia for a specific purpose, you need to apply for a different valid visa that best suits your needs.

    Visa 988 Australia Requirements

    Do you tick all the boxes for your maritime crew visa? Let’s break down the subclass 988 visa conditions to make sure you’re on the right track:

    • You must be offshore or outside Australia at the time of your MCV application
    • You must be a bona fide crew member of an eligible ship, specifically:
      • – Articled crew members are engaged in routine maintenance of an eligible or other related duties while at sea, or
      • – Professionals conducting scientific research on a foreign government-owned research ship
      • – Workers who only perform their duties on a ship while in port or dry dock are not eligible, unless they will also travel with the ship.
    • Your ship conducts either one of the following activities:
      • – Commercial cargo trading
      • – Carrying paying passengers
      • – Scientific research on a ship owned and operated by a foreign government
      • – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade-approved for ‘Public Vessel Status’ 
    • Your ship, meanwhile, must not be any of the following:
      • – Private yachts or superyachts
      • – Fishing or cable laying vessels
      • – Research vessels not owned or operated by a foreign government
    • You must satisfy health and character requirements
    • You must have no outstanding debt debt owed to the Australian Government 
    • You must not have a history of refused or cancelled visa applications

    These conditions are designed to ensure that you are only getting this visa for the purpose of your work as an articled crew member. If you wish to study, work, live in Australia, and travel by air, consider hiring a visa professional to explore other visa options.

    Need Visa Assistance?

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    How to Apply for Subclass 988 Visa

    Here’s a simplified step-by-step guide to get you started on your 988 visa Australia voyage:

    1

    Check Your Eligibility

    First things first. You must ensure that you meet all the requirements before lodging an application. This particularly includes being an eligible foreign crew member and that the ship you will be joining is likewise eligible. Examples of an eligible ship include one transporting commercial cargo or one with paying passengers.

    2

    Gather Your Documents

    Your next best step is to collect all pertinent documents to make sure your application is complete and error-free, and would lead to a visa grant. This shall include papers with your personal details and photo, employment documents and diploma, as well as health and character certificates if requested.

    3

    Submit Your Application

    Once everything is in place, time to submit your application. Don’t forget to double-check for any missing documents. You can apply either online or via paper, however we recommend applying online using your ImmiAccount. You must be outside Australia when you apply. Notably, you must lodge your application well ahead of your travel.

    4

    Wait for a Decision

    The waiting game begins. Use this time to prepare for your move. If you hire a professional from Parish Patience, we will constantly update you about your application’s progress and communicate with the Department as needed.

    988 Maritime Crew Visa Processing Time and Fees

    The standard processing time for an Australian visa subclass 988 can range from five (5) to ten (10) days. It could be delayed if the Department is dealing with a high volume of applications at the time, or if applicants commit errors in their application or have incomplete documents.

    There is no subclass 988 visa fee. However, it’s recommended that you still set aside money for additional requirements such as police certificates, health insurance, and biometrics.

    Seeking Help From Parish Patience for Your 988 Australia Visa

    Need professional assistance for your visa application process? Partner up with an Australian immigration agency that values efficiency, transparency, and personalised service.

    In-Depth Knowledge

    Our team of visa experts is well-versed in the latest immigration regulations and guidelines so you can be 100% confident your application is not only complete and error free but also compliant.

    Tailored Approach

    No two clients have the exact same case and requirements. Our approach is therefore personalised to satisfy your individual needs and provide support that goes beyond just paperwork.

    Stellar Track Record

    Established in 1888, we lost count of client success stories we’ve helped write through our team’s collective experience and expertise.

    Transparent Communication

    You will not be left hanging or in the dark about your application’s status. We’ll keep you in the know at every stage and help simplify the process by clearly responding to your curious queries with clarity.

    Comprehensive Support

    From initial consultation to the final decision, we provide the assurance that you will receive all the support you need to guarantee not only a hassle-free processing of requirements but your real goal – having your visa granted.

    Need Visa Assistance?

    Talk to one of our Visa Experts Now.

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    Success Stories of 410 Highly Rated Reviews


    Our customers are always happy to share their thoughts with us.
    Here is what some of them had said!

    Haroon Parvez

    The team at parish Patience Immigration Lawyers were incredibly helpful throughout the application process. Their assistance made our lives so much less stressful and their expertise cleared up any confusion we had. They remained engaged with us the whole time and quickly responded to any questions with thoughtful, detailed answers. Special thanks to Usman Ali and Shan . We highly recommend the team at Parish patience immigration lawyer for anyone considering help regarding any kind of visa .

    W. A.

    Highly recommended lawyers! Extremely professional and reliable service, with outstanding outcomes. A special thanks to Mr Thong and Marlene, for helping us with our difficult case. Not only did they ensure that everything was ready to go, but their professionalism came in favor when we were granted our visa within just under 6 months!

    J P

    Thong and Marlene helped my partner gain permanent residency in Australia. We did the application ourselves but it turned out lots of information we needed to provide was missing. Thong and Marlene picked our case up and helped amend it. I really appreciate their help and guidance and look forward to contacting them again in the future. I am pleased by their efforts and professionalism.

    Alaa Omer

    Successfully handled my case. He had been prompt, caring and very professional in dealing with my case. I am glad to have received very strong support, guidance and service from them. I would highly recommend Parish patience immigration lawyers. I wish the best for their future prospects.

    Jabir Ibna Mohammad

    I’m really thankful for the guidance and assistance I’ve received regarding my Partner visa from Shan and his assistance Asha at Parish Patience. They handled my matter professionally and there were clear instructions from the beginning till end. I got my partner visa 820 granted in less than 7 months, thanks to their knowledge and expertise. I wish them all the best and highly recommend Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers for any sort of immigration matters.

    Parish Patience: Trusted Experts in All Australian Visas


    Navigating the visa application process with Parish Patience means you don’t have to do it all alone. We pride ourselves on making your Australian immigration voyage as smooth-sailing as it can possibly be. With our experienced lawyers and agents, our consulting firm’s accredited and award-winning reputation, and genuine commitment to your dream, we’re the best partner you could choose for your 988 visa application. Ready to take the first step towards your Australian future? Let’s make it all happen by contacting our office today.

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      Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


      What is the 988 visa?

      The Australia visa subclass 988 is a non-permanent visa intended for articled maritime crew members who are to join an eligible ship to and from Australia.

      Who is eligible for the Australia 988 visa?

      You can get an Australia subclass 988 visa if you are a maritime crew member sailing to Australia on an eligible ship. You are also eligible to have this visa if you are either the spouse, de facto partner, or dependent child of an articled maritime crew member, provided you are sailing/travelling on the same ship together.

      How long can I stay in Australia with a 988 visa?

      The subclass 988 visa duration typically lasts for up to three (3) years, or for as long as you remain an eligible foreign crew member of an eligible MCV ship in Australia and are fulfilling your normal operational duties.

      Can I bring my family with me on a 988 visa?

      With permission from the vessel master, and provided you are travelling on the same ship together, you can bring your family members, such as your partner or child. But they must apply separately.

      What is the processing time for a 988 visa?

      Typically 5 to 10 days. It could take a tad longer if your application is missing some documents or if you don’t respond promptly to requests, if any, from the Department of Home Affairs for additional information.

      How much does it cost to apply for a 988 visa?

      There is no application charge for this visa but it’s best to have money for other requirements that may be requested, such as health insurance and police clearance.

      Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers Sydney
      Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers Sydney
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      Kumar Venkatasubramanian profile picture
      Kumar Venkatasubramanian
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      Our process was a little complicated. But we got the right advice from Shan through the 2 years the process was on before we successfully completed it recently.
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      Abdullah warsi profile picture
      Abdullah warsi
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      I received my PR after 2 years and a few months, and I am very thankful to the whole team. The process required a lot of patience, but they supported me throughout every step. Shan Sir is an excellent lawyer, and Usman helped me a lot during my case. They always provided professional service, answered my questions, and guided me whenever I needed help. Thank you to everyone at Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers for your hard work and support. I truly appreciate everything you have done for me and would highly recommend your services.
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      Md Mojnu
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      Always happy
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      shahid khan profile picture
      shahid khan
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      I trusted Parish Patience with my migration and skills assessment process and unfortunately had a very disappointing experience. Initially, I was advised by Mr Golam and Upasana to proceed with my Subclass 485 pathway. Based on their advice, I paid for skills assessment and also completed a PTE exam. However, I later found out that an important requirement for my VETASSESS application — having at least one year of relevant post-qualification work experience — had not been clearly explained to me before lodging the application. My application was submitted using work experience from before my studies and the outcome was negative. After that, I was advised that applying through Engineers Australia using the CDR pathway would be easier and would give me a better chance of receiving a positive skills assessment outcome. I followed their advice again, paid additional fees, but unfortunately received another negative outcome. During this process, two separate Subclass 485 visa applications were lodged and later withdrawn. I experienced significant financial loss through application fees, assessments, and English testing costs. I was fortunate that I still held a valid student visa, which made it possible to withdraw the applications without further complications. From my personal experience, I felt the communication, assessment of eligibility, and overall service quality were poor. I also did not receive any compensation or satisfactory resolution for the losses I experienced. I hope future clients receive clearer advice about eligibility requirements and possible risks before committing financially.
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      hamza maan
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      Yes, if Gabriel Mackenzie, Diana Tong, and Connie Lai all worked on your case, it’s a nice touch to mention them by name: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I would like to sincerely thank Gabriel Mackenzie, Diana Tong, Connie Lai, and the entire team at Parish Patience Legal & Migration Services for their outstanding support throughout my visa journey. Their professionalism, knowledge, and dedication were exceptional from start to finish. They kept me informed throughout the process, answered my questions promptly, and provided clear guidance every step of the way. Thanks to their hard work and expertise, I successfully obtained my Subclass Permanent Residency visa. The team genuinely cared about achieving the best outcome for my case and made what could have been a stressful process much easier to manage. I highly recommend Parish Patience Legal & Migration Services to anyone seeking trustworthy and professional migration assistance. Thank you again for helping me achieve such an important milestone in my life.
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      Shankar Barua
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      Parish patience immigration Lawyer service and everything just excellent . Before i had another lawyer exprience too. so i could compared . Moreover ,Honerable Mr. shan is great lawyer i had ever seen . Thanks a lot whole team.
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      Abbas Khan profile picture
      Abbas Khan
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      I cannot thank Shan and his entire team Devika Veluchamy, usman ali,enough for the incredible work they did on my protection visa case. After a long and stressful journey, my protection visa has finally been approved, and I truly believe this would not have been possible without their hard work, professionalism, dedication, and support throughout the entire process. Shan handled my case with great care, honesty, and deep knowledge of immigration law. He was always professional, patient, and genuinely supportive during one of the most difficult times of my life. His assistants and the whole team were also extremely kind, responsive, and helpful whenever I had questions or needed assistance. I highly recommend Shan and his entire team to anyone dealing with immigration or protection visa matters. Thank you again for everything you have done for me and my future. I will always be grateful. — Abbas Khan
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      Shariar Mustafa
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      I had a very positive experience with Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers. Their team was professional, knowledgeable, and supportive throughout the entire immigration process. They explained every step clearly, answered my questions patiently, and always kept me updated on my case progress. Specially Shaan he is the best !!!! Very professional and always willing to listen and guide us through What stood out the most was their attention to detail and genuine care for their clients. Immigration matters can be stressful, but they made the process much smoother and gave me confidence from start to finish. I truly appreciate their hard work, honesty, and dedication. I would highly recommend Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers to anyone looking for reliable and experienced immigration assistance.
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      Rakibull Ahasan
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      SC191 Experience with Parish Patience: I recent processed my sc191 application through parish patience and the experience was great. My lawer, Usman Ali, assisted me in each step of the application and kept me informed throughout the process and always responded promtly to my enquires. I would highly recommend Parish Patience to those, who are seeking a reliable agency for their visa or PR application. SC491 Experience with Parish Patience: Parish Patience has been tremendous help for me and my partner's visa application. The lawer and the agent that I have worked with are extremely profession and provides genuine advice. They understand client's inquiry and response promptly. They provide clear step by step instruction, and maintain transparent communication throughout the process.