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27 Jan 2026 / Dhamra, India

Visa requirement for foreign crew

The Bureau of Immigration at the Port of Dhamra has issued an update about visa requirements for foreign crew of vessels.

Any foreign crew onboard a vessel in Indian port limits should hold a valid India Visa. Foreign crew wishing to join a vessel at India ports should also hold a valid visa.

However, as a facilitation for seamen, the Bureau of Immigration does not emphasise the need for visas for foreign crew of foreign-flagged vessels if their stay inside port limits does not exceed 30 days. After this period, to remain and operate in the vessel, they should hold valid Indian visas, failing which they will be signed off from the vessel and directed to leave India within 72 hours. To avoid operational issues, vessel management may replace the crew with Indian crew of foreign crew with valid visas during this period.

If any foreign-going (FG) vessel remains in port limits for more than 30 days, the Bureau of Immigration will treat it as Coastal Going (CG) for operational purposes.

Dhamra port is not e-Visa enabled and requires foreign crew members to have the Indian sticker Visa.

Pakistani crew and foreign supernumeraries onboard vessels are not accorded Immigration clearance.

For further details, as well as information about operations in India, contact GAC India at [email protected]

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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