where TO emigrate
Get Your Free Verdict
← Australia · all routes
Australia · Work

Australia Maritime Crew visa (Subclass 988)

14 facts quoted from the official source

This visa allows foreign crew on a Maritime Crew visa eligible ship to enter Australia by sea when on an international voyage. It is also for the partner or dependent child of a foreign crew member of an eligible ship, when on the same ship.

Route type
Work
Can bring
—
Not stated in the official source
Requirements
6
each quoted below
Who qualifies

Who this route is for

Every item below is the government’s own wording, quoted from the official source. Whether you personally qualify depends on your full profile.

6 requirements quoted from the official source.

The conditions that decide it
  • Articled Crew MembersThis includes: people under contract or subcontract, involved in the usual day to day routine maintenance or duties of a ship while it is at sea people doing scientific research on a research ship owned by a foreign government. It does not include those who only work on a ship while it is in port or dry dock unless they are travelling with the ship. Maritime Crew visa eligible ship To be eligible
  • Australian Government Debt ClearedIf you or any family members (including those who don't apply for the visa with you) owe the Australian government money, you or they must have paid it back or arranged to pay it back.
  • Be A Crew Member On A Maritime Crew Visa Eligible ShipYou must be an articled crew member on a Maritime Crew visa eligible ship that is taking an international voyage to Australia.
  • Be Outside AustraliaYou must be outside Australia when you apply for this visa.
  • Character and securityYou must meet our character requirement .
  • Not Had A Refused Application Or Cancelled VisaWe will consider your immigration history when we make a decision on your application, which means you might not be eligible for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused. In some circumstances you may still apply for a permanent visa if you have had a visa cancelled or an application refused, see Can I go to Australia . If you want immigration assistance, see Who can help with your vi
Also stated by the source
  • Eligibility summaryYou must be outside Australia when you apply for this visa.
  • Official Rights Textarrive and depart Australia by sea as a crew member of an MCV eligible ship stay in Australia for as long as you are signed on as a crew member of an MCV eligible ship sign off your ship to join another MCV eligible ship, or to leave Australia only perform work in Australia that meets the normal operational duties of a crew member of your ship only arrive by sea - if you want to fly to Australia,
  • Official source basisYou must be outside Australia when you apply for this visa.
  • Report summaryYou must be outside Australia when you apply for this visa.
  • Visa SubclassThe official page identifies this route as subclass 988.
Family

Who you can bring

— Not stated in the official source. The official page for this route does not address dependent-family rights, so we do not publish a claim either way.
Costs & timelines

What the source prices

Fees
1 proven from the official source.
  • Official Cost TextFreechecked 2026-07-26
Validity
1 proven from the official source.
  • Official Stay TextYou can stay in Australia as long as you are a crew member of a Maritime Crew Visa (MCV) eligible ship that is in Australia.
Processing time
1 proven from the official source.
  • Processing timeFor an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool . This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.
How it works

From here to a yes

See if you qualify — freeThe 3-minute check scores your profile against every Australia route at once, this one included. No signup, no card.
Get your full report — €10One personalised report ranks every route you can actually get, with the full requirement set for your profile — so you apply for the right one.
Apply with the official sourceThe application itself always happens with the government — the enacting authority linked below. The report points you straight at it.
FAQ

Straight answers

01Who qualifies for the Subclass 988 to Australia?
The official source states: This visa allows foreign crew on a Maritime Crew visa eligible ship to enter Australia by sea when on an international voyage. It is also for the partner or dependent child of a foreign crew member of an eligible ship, when on the same ship.

Every answer is quoted from the official immi.homeaffairs.gov.au page for this route, last read 2026-07-26.

We checked 14 points against the official source; 14 are quoted on this page. The other 0 are either not addressed by the source or not yet backed by a quote — we would rather show you the edge of the record than fill it with a plausible guess.

See the 0 open points

Not stated in the official source — the official source names no exclusion for this route.

The source

Where every quote comes from

Official government source immi.homeaffairs.gov.auLast read 2026-07-26 Every quote on this page is from this Australia government page.
Compiled from official sources · pending independent re-check · Last checked 2026-07-26 · Our methodology
 · Compiled by António Mira · How we verify · Not legal advice — rules change; confirm with the official source before deciding.
Same category, same country

Other work routes to Australia

42 other work routes to Australia.

Crew Travel Authority (Subclass 942)Employer Nomination Scheme - Labour Agreement stream (Subclass 186)Employer Nomination Scheme - Temporary Residence Transition stream (Subclass 186)Employer Nomination Scheme visa - Direct Entry stream (Subclass 186)Labour agreement stream (Subclass 482)Pacific Engagement visa - Pacific Engagement stream (Subclass 192)
Same category, elsewhere

Work routes in other countries

224 other countries publish at least one work route. Nearest first.

New Zealand41 work routes Canada68 work routes Japan56 work routes Germany40 work routes Denmark30 work routes France30 work routes

Does the Subclass 988 fit your numbers?

That depends on your income, savings and family — the parts of the story only you know. The free 3-minute check scores your profile against every Australia route at once, this one included. Then the full Australia report takes you the rest of the way.

Get Your Free Verdict All Australia routes

• Free • 3 minutes • No signup