Do I have an absolute right to go ashore?

FAL Convention Standard 3.44 recognises the right to shore leave but subjects it to the discretion of public authorities in the port state. In practice, most ratifying states grant shore leave freely; the main restrictions are security and immigration requirements. No fee may be charged to the seafarer for shore leave access.

What is the Seafarer Identity Document (SID) and who issues it?

The SID is a biometric travel document issued under ILO Convention 185 (2003, amended 2016). It allows seafarers to enter ratifying states for shore leave or transit without a full visa. The home-state maritime authority issues the SID — in the Philippines, this is the MARINA-endorsed POEA/DFA process; in India, the Directorate General of Shipping.

Can I enter the United States with just a SID?

No. The US has not ratified ILO C185. US Customs and Border Protection requires a C-1/D (crew member/transit) visa for shore leave or sign-on at most US ports. A SID alone does not grant entry. Apply for a C-1/D visa at a US embassy before departure — it is valid for multiple entries over up to 10 years.

What should I do if shore leave is denied without explanation?

Ask the port authority or immigration officer for the denial in writing, including the legal basis. Inform your master and company DPA. Contact the ITF inspector at that port and the nearest seafarer welfare centre (Stella Maris, Mission to Seafarers, NAMMA). Report the incident to ISWAN SeafarerHelp, who maintain records of port-by-port restriction patterns.

Shore leave

Shore leave is not a privilege granted at the captain's discretion — it is a right recognised under international law. The IMO Facilitation Convention (FAL Convention) Standard 3.44 and MLC 2006 Regulation 4.4 both affirm that seafarers are entitled to go ashore during port calls, subject only to the port state's public authority discretion. The practical barriers — visas, security zones, turnaround schedules — are real, but they are not excuses for routine denial, and you should know which ones are legitimate and which are not.

The legal framework

FAL Convention Standard 3.44 — requires port states to grant shore leave to seafarers promptly and without charge to the seafarer. Port states may restrict for reasons of public health, safety, or security but must not impose visa fees on seafarers seeking shore leave.
MLC 2006 Regulation 4.4 — requires flag states to ensure seafarers on their ships have access to shore leave, and to provide social facilities in port where possible.
ILO Convention 185 (2003, amended 2016) — establishes the biometric Seafarer Identity Document (SID). Ratifying states must allow SID holders to enter for shore leave and transit without requiring a full visa.

The Seafarer Identity Document (SID)

The SID is a biometric credential issued under ILO C185 that gives you expedited shore-leave access in ratifying states. Key facts:

Issued by your flag state or home state's maritime authority (not the vessel flag state).
Contains biometric data and a machine-readable zone; format updated in the 2016 amendments.
Ratifying states as of 2025 include most of the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Russia, France, and 20+ others — check ILO NORMLEX for the current list.
Does NOT replace a passport — carry your national passport at all times ashore.
Apply well before your first voyage to a ratifying state; processing times vary by country.

Port-country realities

Even with a valid SID, shore leave is not automatic in every port. Key situations to know:

United States: Not a C185 ratifying state. CBP requires a C-1/D crew visa for shore leave at most US ports. Obtain one before departure — valid 10 years, multiple entries, issued at US embassies. See US 8 CFR § 252 for the regulatory basis.
Schengen Area: Most EU maritime states have signed C185. A valid SID from a ratifying home state enables shore leave without a Schengen visa. However, if your home state is not a C185 ratifying state, you will need a Schengen crew visa — apply through the consulate of the first port of call. See Schengen Borders Code Regulation (EU) 2016/399 Art. 5(1)(b) for the documentary requirements.
Australia: AMSA and Border Force generally allow shore leave under FAL Convention; SID is accepted. Biosecurity declaration required on arrival — verify with the ship's agent.
China: Shore leave is typically restricted to designated seafarer zones near the port. A letter of guarantee from the ship agent is usually required.
Security-restricted ports: ISPS-regulated facilities may prohibit shoreside access within the port security zone — this is a legitimate ISPS Code restriction, not a denial of shore leave.

If shore leave is denied

Ask the port authority or immigration officer for the denial in writing, with the specific legal basis cited.
Inform your master and company DPA; ask the agent to intervene with port authorities.
Contact the ITF inspector at that port — inspectors carry direct contact numbers for port immigration officers and can escalate quickly.
Contact the nearest seafarer welfare centre: Stella Maris, Mission to Seafarers, NAMMA, or Sailors' Society — all are port-side and can advise.
Report to ISWAN SeafarerHelp (+44 20 7323 2737, 24/7, free, multilingual) for welfare support and to add the incident to their port-restriction database.
On departure, file a report with the flag state and the IMO FAL Committee if the denial was unjustified.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have an absolute right to go ashore?
FAL Convention Standard 3.44 recognises the right to shore leave but subjects it to the discretion of public authorities in the port state. In practice, most ratifying states grant shore leave freely; the main restrictions are security and immigration requirements. No fee may be charged to the seafarer for shore leave access.
What is the Seafarer Identity Document (SID) and who issues it?
The SID is a biometric travel document issued under ILO Convention 185 (2003, amended 2016). It allows seafarers to enter ratifying states for shore leave or transit without a full visa. The home-state maritime authority issues the SID — in the Philippines, this is the MARINA-endorsed POEA/DFA process; in India, the Directorate General of Shipping.
Can I enter the United States with just a SID?
No. The US has not ratified ILO C185. US Customs and Border Protection requires a C-1/D (crew member/transit) visa for shore leave or sign-on at most US ports. A SID alone does not grant entry. Apply for a C-1/D visa at a US embassy before departure — it is valid for multiple entries over up to 10 years.
What should I do if shore leave is denied without explanation?
Ask the port authority or immigration officer for the denial in writing, including the legal basis. Inform your master and company DPA. Contact the ITF inspector at that port and the nearest seafarer welfare centre (Stella Maris, Mission to Seafarers, NAMMA). Report the incident to ISWAN SeafarerHelp, who maintain records of port-by-port restriction patterns.