The Maritime Crew Visa (MCV) introduced by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will be compulsory for all ships' crew arriving in Australia or calling at the country's ports from 1 January 2008.

Once granted, the MCV is valid for a period of three years.

Vessels will be required to submit their crew list and supporting documentation to Australian Customs at least 96 hours prior to arrival at the first Australian port of call, via their agents. The MCV status of all crew will be checked by Customs on receipt of the vessel's crew list and Customs will advise the vessel's agent which members of a ship's crew do not have a valid MCV. The agent will then advise the vessel and principal to apply for the MCV prior to the vessel to arrival, in order to avoid penalty.

As the MCV has only just been created, it is expected that on most vessels, most crew will require an MCV during the initial period.

GAC Australia has staff in place to assist principals and apply for MCVs on behalf of vessels.

As it is a legal requirement that vessels' crew lists be submitted to Customs at least four days prior to the vessels arrival, and to enable GAC to have sufficient time to apply for and secure MCVs for all crew, vessels are urged to complete and forward their completed crew list at least eight days in advance of arrival to the first Australian port of call.