Call for change on visas

The International Shipping Federation (ISF) has called on port states to facilitate the right of seafarers to shore leave, in line with governments’ international treaty obligations, by proposing a new pragmatic approach to visa requirements. It made this proposal in a submission to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Facilitation Committee, which meets in April to consider its current review of the IMO Convention on the Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL). FAL includes a blanket prohibition on port states requiring seafarers to obtain visas for shore leave.