All shipping agencies and companies are required to submit advance notice of joining and/or repatriation of seamen to the Chief, Boarding Section, Bureau of Immigration, at least forty -eight (48) hours prior to arrival of the ship in the Philippine port.

The Chief Boarding Section shall assign necessary immigration escort(s) at the ratio of one (1) immigration escort for initial five (5) crew or less and additional escorts thereafter.

All foreign seamen for the purpose of joining vessel shall present to the admitting officer their valid travel documents with appropriate 9(c) visa for entry otherwise the carrier shall be charged an administrative fine in the amount of FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P5,000.00). Each seaman shall likewise pay the Waiver of Exclusion Ground to the Bureau of Immigration in the amount of ONE THOUSAND AND TEN PESOS (P1, 000.00).

Joining seamen of nationalities without the appropriate 9(c) visa as required under Foreign Service Circular No. 04-96 shall be subject to exclusion which means they shall be required to depart on the same aircraft on the first available aircraft destined to his port of origin.

No foreign seaman shall be discharged/signed-off or be repatriated without the consent of the Chief, Boarding Section. Subject seaman shall secure from the Bureau of Immigration Certificate of Exemption prior to his departure.

All expenses incurred in connection with the joining/sign-on or repatriation/sign-off of seamen shall be borne by the shipping company concerned.

Adopted: 1 Apr. 1997