India Overhauls Seafarer Immigration Rules, Easing Port Movements

(INDIA) India’s Union Home Ministry has scrapped long-standing immigration-style checks for crews of Indian-flagged ships operating only in domestic waters, in a move industry figures say will sharply cut red tape for thousands of seafarers and speed up port operations across the country. The reform, announced through an Office Memorandum in November 2025, removes decades-old sign-on and sign-off procedures and Shore Leave Pass (SLP) rules that had applied even when vessels never left Indian territorial waters.

What the old regime required

Under the old rules, Indian crew members on coastal-run vessels were treated almost like international arrivals and departures every time they joined or left a ship. Even if a vessel sailed only between Indian ports, crews had to complete immigration-style paperwork and formalities similar to those used for foreign-going ships.

This repeated processing:
– Placed extra pressure on immigration offices at major ports.
– Caused frequent delays for shipping companies trying to rotate staff quickly.
– Created a heavy administrative burden for crews working tight schedules on busy coastal routes.

The abolished sign-on and sign-off procedures required coordination with immigration officials, submission of detailed crew lists, and waiting for clearances—often for ships that never crossed an international border. Industry stakeholders had long argued these rules were a holdover from an earlier era and no longer matched modern coastal shipping needs.

Shore Leave Pass (SLP): what changed

The end of the mandatory Shore Leave Pass (SLP) system may be immediately felt by seafarers. Previously:
– Any crew member wanting to step ashore had to obtain an SLP, valid for only 10 days at a time.
– To keep an SLP active, seafarers had to appear in person at immigration offices for the initial pass and for each extension.

For crews on dredgers, barges, and coastal research ships that call frequently at ports, this resulted in a repetitive cycle of paperwork and in-person visits that often conflicted with onboard duties.

The Home Ministry’s memorandum notes this repeated requirement for physical presence at immigration counters disrupted normal shipboard operations. Officers and ratings were often forced to leave critical tasks to queue for documents.

Trade unions and shipping companies had raised these concerns for years, arguing that safety and efficiency suffered when key personnel had to juggle SLP renewals with demanding onboard schedules. VisaVerge.com reported these persistent industry complaints.

Scope and limits of the reform

The reform is carefully defined and does not remove immigration controls entirely. It applies specifically to:
– Indian-flag coastal run vessels
– Dredgers
– Barges
– Research vessels operating within port limits

It does not cover:
– Foreign-flag ships
– Indian ships on international routes (normal immigration controls remain in force)

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the change will benefit around 800 Indian vessels and their crews, easing daily life for seafarers while helping coastal shipping run more smoothly.

New roles and record-keeping: ports take on responsibility

Rather than eliminating oversight, the government has shifted responsibility from immigration authorities to the port system.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has been asked to:
– Issue directions to all port authorities to keep up-to-date records and data for every crew member and supernumerary person onboard these Indian-flag coastal vessels.

This means:
– Port offices, rather than immigration counters, will now be the main point for record-keeping when crews join, work, and go ashore within India.

Continued immigration oversight — changed approach

The Bureau of Immigration will still have a role, but it will be different:
– Instead of processing every sign-on and sign-off and each SLP, immigration officers will conduct periodic surprise inspections.
– They will collect crew lists directly from ships and port authorities.

According to the memorandum, this approach is designed to:
– Keep a reliable audit trail without forcing seafarers into constant face-to-face dealings with immigration staff.

For official information on the Bureau of Immigration’s wider role, see the Home Ministry portal at the Bureau of Immigration.

Shore access decisions moved to port authorities

With SLPs removed for the covered category of ships, decisions on shore access now rest with the respective port authorities. In practice:
– Shore leave for Indian-flag vessels staying within Indian waters is treated as an operational and security question for ports, not as an immigration matter.
– Port authorities will be expected to balance crew welfare, security needs, and local regulations when granting access to terminals and nearby areas.

Practical impacts for seafarers and operators

For seafarers:
– More predictable workdays and fewer trips to government offices.
– Example: A crew member who previously had to renew a 10-day SLP every 10 days may now be able to disembark for a doctor or basic supplies under port rules without worrying about missing an immigration appointment.

For masters and ship operators:
– Removal of duplicated paperwork for every coastal sign-on/sign-off will be welcomed.

For shipping companies and port operators:
– Systems must be updated to meet new expectations.
– Accurate and timely crew lists will be essential because immigration authorities will rely more heavily on port records and surprise checks.
– Any mismatch between shipboard and port data could draw attention from inspectors, creating incentives to invest in better digital systems and clearer reporting lines.

Policy rationale and broader context

Policy analysts see the reform as part of India’s broader effort to boost coastal shipping and inland waterways as components of its economic strategy. Key points:
– Loosening older immigration-style controls on domestic routes aims to reduce friction while preserving oversight.
– The change acknowledges that not all seafarers face the same border risks; those working only between Indian ports should not be subject to the same detailed processes as crews crossing into foreign jurisdictions.

VisaVerge.com’s analysis supports this view, noting the shift reflects recognition of different risk profiles and operational needs.

Key takeaways

The end of routine immigration-style sign-on and sign-off procedures and the scrapping of the 10-day Shore Leave Pass (SLP) cycle promise a simpler link between ship and shore, leaving crews freer to focus on their duties and helping coastal trade move more efficiently.

Summary of the main changes:
1. Abolition of mandatory immigration-style checks for certain Indian-flag coastal vessels.
2. Removal of the 10-day SLP requirement for these vessels.
3. Port authorities take responsibility for record-keeping and shore access decisions.
4. The Bureau of Immigration retains oversight through surprise inspections and crew-list audits.

This reform aims to reduce bureaucratic hurdles for around 800 vessels and their crews while maintaining security through port-based record-keeping and periodic immigration checks.