Pursuant to the Circular issued by Coordination General for Immigration Police (CGPI) of the Department of Federal Police of Brazil relative to the procedures for the implementation of immigration control which took effect on 01 April 2011, all concerned parties are hereby advised to comply with the following new regulations to avoid the imposition of penalties.

Seafarers who are holders of Seaman ™s book or passport which states their status/ condition issued by a signatory country of ILO Convention 108 on board vessels in a long journey are exempted from visa requirements and are authorized to leave the vessel during its stay in a port of embarkation.

Seafarers who are holders of Seaman ™s book or passport which states their status/ condition issued by a country not signatory to ILO Convention 108 on board vessels in a long journey are prohibited from disembarking and leaving the vessel under penalty of proceedings against a foreigner. They should be registered in the system of inaccessible persons, including the respective justifications, not necessitating any action against the transporter/owner of the vessel.

Restrictions in the second category does not apply to a foreigner who, even though he does not possess a valid Seaman ™s book presents a valid travel document and visa when required.

In view of the above restrictions, all shipping companies, operators, charterers and all other entities concerned are required to secure for all Brazil-bound Filipino seafarers an appropriate visa at the Brazilian Embassy in Manila prior to embarkation in order to be allowed to disembark during ports calls within Brazil.

For compliance by all concerned.

This Flag Administration Advisory shall take effect immediately.


Adopted: 25 April 2011


(SGD.) EMERSON M. LORENZO, CESO V
Administrator