Brazil has expanded its visa-waiver policy for Chinese seafarers, now including those serving on vessels registered in China’s special administrative regions—Hong Kong and Macau—as well as Taiwan, reports Safety4sea.
Brazil expands visa-waiver policy
Previously, the visa exemption applied only to Chinese seafarers on ships flying the flag of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), encompassing its provinces, autonomous regions, and direct-administered municipalities. This led to fines for vessels from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan carrying Chinese crew without visas.
In response to China’s position and the “One China” policy, Brazilian authorities have revised their interpretation, extending visa exemptions to include these regions. Consequently, shipowners with Chinese seafarers on vessels flagged in these territories will no longer face fines, provided the crew’s stay does not exceed 90 days.
This policy change aims to strengthen maritime relations between Brazil and China, facilitating smoother operations for Chinese seafarers in Brazilian ports.
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Source: Safety4sea
