STCW Endorsement Application Process | VISR

Clear requirements. Verified credentials. Predictable outcomes.
VISR processes STCW endorsement applications through strict verification to protect the integrity and international acceptance of Vanuatu-issued endorsements. Incomplete submissions are not processed.

Before you submit

Treat this like a compliance file, not a casual email. Your endorsement is only as strong as the documents behind it. If your submission is incomplete, inconsistent, or unverifiable, it will not proceed.

Application checklist (minimum requirements)

1) Application and medical fitness

·       Completed seafarer application form

·       Valid medical certificate

·       Drug and alcohol test result(s) where required

·       Medical and drug-test documents within the stated validity period (typically not older than one (1) year)

2) Identity photograph

·       One (1) recent colour passport-size digital photograph

·       Clear face visibility, neutral background, standard identification format

·       File name includes seafarer name and date (e.g., SURNAME_Given_2026-02-12.jpg)

3) Certificates and licences

·       Clear copies of national licence(s) and/or Certificate(s) of Competency/Proficiency

·       Copies of any existing STCW certificates and endorsements

·       All documents must be valid and unexpired

4) Flag State verification (mandatory)

·       Official verification issued by the competent authority that issued the original STCW certificates

·       Verification must confirm authenticity and include: seafarer full name, certificate number(s), issue date, expiry date

·       Verification details must match the submitted copies exactly

5) Mandatory STCW short courses (as applicable)

·       Basic Safety Training elements (as applicable)

·       Fire Fighting and, for senior officers, Advanced Fire Fighting

·       First Aid / Medical training as required

·       Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities

·       Survival at Sea / Survival Craft as required

·       Security Awareness (and higher security training where applicable)

6) Cover letter (recommended and often required)

·       Vessel name (if assigned) and intended capacity/rank

·       Name(s) of seafarer(s) applying (if submitting multiple files)

·       Point of contact (company/agency) and preferred delivery method

Submission and processing flow

1.       Submit the full application package through the designated online pathway or via the authorized submitting party.

2.       VISR conducts an initial completeness review. If documents are missing, the file is held and you will be instructed to correct it.

3.       VISR initiates verification requests and validates authenticity.

4.       Fees are invoiced once the file is positioned to proceed.

5.       Upon payment and successful verification, the endorsement is issued and recorded.

What will cause an application to be rejected or delayed

·       No issuing-authority verification or verification that cannot be confirmed.

·       Expired certificates, unclear scans, or missing pages.

·       Name mismatches (different spellings across certificates, passport, application form).

·       Outdated medical/drug-test documents.

·       Missing short course certificates required for the requested rank/function.

Need an acknowledgment (CRA) or urgent processing?

If you require a Confirmation of Receipt of Application (CRA) for planning or crew changes, request it explicitly and follow the CRA rules and fees on the CRA page.