Parliament Eases On Permit Requirement For Foreign Seamen Working On Board Turkish Flag Vessels

Foreign seamen who are nationals of countries with whom Turkey has bilateral agreements pursuant to the Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping ("STCW") are entitled to serve on board Turkish flag vessels by mere endorsement of their seamen books.

Otherwise, seamen who are nationals of other countries are obliged to apply for and obtain a work permit or an exemption certificate from the Ministry of Labour in Ankara. In both cases the seamen would also have to obtain a residence permit from the relevant authorities

Given that separate set of procedures need to be initiated before the competent Security Directorate for the issue of residence permits, this requirement places a heavy burden on the employer of such seamen both in term of cost and time.