REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREIGN SEAFARERS WORKING ONBOARD VIETNAMESE-FLAGGED SHIPS
On May 31, 2017, the Ministry of Transport issued the Circular No. 17/2017/TT-BGTVT on requirements for foreign seafarers working onboard Vietnamese-flagged ships.
Accordingly, foreign seafarers working onboard Vietnamese-flagged ships must satisfy all the general requirements, a foreign seafarer must meet all standards of seafarer’s health and working age under prevailing regulations; possess a working permit granted by a competent authority of Vietnam; have a seafarer’s employee agreement signed; have a passport issued by the competent authority of the seafarer’s State of nationality; have his name specified in the register of seafarers; be assigned to hold a position onboard a ship.
Besides, foreign seafarers must satisfy the professional requirements, in particular: A foreign seafarerworking onboard a Vietnamese-flagged ship must possess a Certificate of professional competence issued by the competent authority of Vietnam or of the State or the territory that has entered into an agreement with Vietnam on recognition of certificates of professional competence issued by the competent authority of such State or territory. If a foreign seafarer possesses a Certificate of professional competence issued by the competent authority of the State or the territory that has entered into an agreement with Vietnam on recognition of certificates of professional competence issued by the competent authority of such State or territory, he must obtain an endorsement attesting the recognition of Certificate of professional competence.
This Circular takes effect on July 15, 2017 and replaces the Decision No. 47/2005/QD-BGTVT dated September 23, 2005.
This Decree takes effect on June 5, 2017, and applies from the 2017 budgetary year.
