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cOVERltXEiaT OF tNDtiA
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mlBITY OF PORT8, EITIPPE'G AXO WAItRI{AYB
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DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SHIPPING, MUMBAI
File No.: 23-540121112025-CREW -DGS (C. No. 34454) Date: 11.12.2025
Circular 56 of2025
Subiect: Introduction of Revised Form-l (RPSL- for Indian seafares workinq on foreign
flag vessels). Form-lA (RPSL/Indian ship owner - for Indian seafares working on Indian
flag vessels) and Form-lB (llon-RPSL - for Non-Seafarer Categories) for Uniform
Verification at Immisration Check-Posls - res.
This Directorate has received numerous representations from Indian shipowners, RPSL
companies, and seafarers regarding repeated difficulties faced at Indian airports, wherein
airline staff and immigration authorities are insisting on the production of Form-1, irrespective
ofthe category ofpersonnel or the nature oftheir engagement.
2.
Several cases have been reported in recent times where Indian seafarers travelling to
join vessels abroad were denied boarding or subjected to delays, despite possessing valid visas,
OKTB, Guarantee Letters, DG Shipping e-Migrate records, CDC, and other mandatory
documents. Documented instances include denial of boarding at Varanasi Airport, Mumbai
Airport, Delhi Airport, and other locations, as reflected in various stakeholder communications.
3. Merchant Shipping Notice 05 of 2020 has already classiJied seafarers,
supernumeraries, and non-seafarer categories, and has clarified that many ofthese cdtegories
are not required to be processed through the e-Migrate system or issued Form-L. Despite this,
airlines and immigration counters continue to insist on FormJ from all travelling personnel,
resulting in ovoidable hardship to Indian seafarers.
4.
It has further been brought to notice that the existing Form-l format is editable and
therefore vulnerable to forgery or misuse by unscrupulous agents, creating a potential risk of
criminalization of innocent lndian seafarers.
5.
To eliminate ambiguity, ensure uniformity, and prevent fraudulent alterations, it has
been decided to introduce two new standardized forms, each incorporating enhanced security
features, as detailed below:
a. Form-l - For all.lndian seafarers recruited through RPSL Companies for foreign flag
vessels.
b. Form 1A - For all lndian seafarers recruited through RPSL companies or Indian
shipow ners for Indian Ships.
c. Form-lB - For non-seafarer categories, including supemumeraries, technicians,
auditors, surveyors, OEM personnel, hotel crew on cruise ships, and other personnel
exempted under MSN 05 of2020.
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6.
These revised forms shall incorporate the following enhanced security features,
including non-editable PDF format, embedded DGS logo watermark, Emigrate Reference
Number watermark, and a unique auto-generated serial number. These measures will
effectively prevent manipulation or alteration of the forms and will ensure their uniform
acceptance by airlines and immigration authorities, thereby avoiding any further harassment or
hardship to Indian seafarers travelling abroad forjoining vessels.
7. Accordingly, it is requested that all RPSL companies, Indian shipowners, and
authorized manning agencies shall generate and download the following:
a. Form-l - For all Indian seafarers recruited through RPSL Companies for foreign flag
vessels.
b. Form-lA for every Indian seafarer proceeding abroad for joining Indian-flagged
vessels either through Indian Shipping Companies or RPSL companies.
c. Form-lB for all non-seafarer personnel travelling abroad for shipboard assignments
covered under MSN 05 of2020.
These forms shall replace the earlier FormJ for all practical purposes. No other DG Shipping
form or editable template shall be used henceforth for the above categories.
The detailed procedure for downloading Form - I /Form- I A/Form- I B from DGS E-Gov module
for RPSL / Non-RPSl/lndian companies is enclosed as Annexure - I.
8. All
Airlines, ground-handling agents and Immigration Check-Post authorities
(FRRO,tsol) shall accept Form-I, Form-lA and Form-lB as valid documentary evidence for
seafarers and non-seafarers, as applicable, without requiring further verification of individual
documents except in certain suspicious cases. Furthermore, the Emigrate Application
Reference Number (ARN) mentioned in Form-l, Form-lA and Form-lB is integrated
with the seafarer's passport number by the Protector General of Emigrants (PGE, MEA),
thereby preventing misuse ofthese forms by unscrupulous agents for verification of airlines/
immigration authorities.
Also, the Emigrate ARN can be verified by the seafarers / RPSL / Shipping companies
online for genuineness prior sending seafarers to Airport / Seaport. The procedure is
enclosed as Annexure - II for information.
9.
Accordingly, all RPSL/Non-RPSL companies, Shipping Companies shall:
a. Ensure correct issuance of Form -1,/Form-lA/Form-l B to all seafarers prior sending to
Airport.
b. Upload the forms details where required in the DGS E-Gov module for generating
Emigrate application reference (ARN) number.
c.
Provide clear travel documents to crew prior to departure.
10.
Further, under Section 56(3) ofthe Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, seafarers are deemed
to be "key workers" for the purposes offacilitating their safe and unhindered movement during
embarkation or disembarkation from a vessel, shore leave, and when required, for shore-based
medical treatment. In view ofthe foregoing, all Airlines, ground-handling staffofAirports and
Airlines, and Immigration Authorities are requested to ensure uniform adherence to this revised
procedure and to refrain from insisting on the old Form-I, so as to facilitate the smooth and
e{ficient movement of lndian seafarers.
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I Any instance ofdenial ofboarding or harassment due to non-availability ofold Form-
I may be reported to DG Shipping immediately with full details at the following
communication channels operating 24 x 7 hours for Indian seafarers.
Email - suppon.dqsaagov. in and crews-dssadlg.ov. in
Phone/ WhatsApp +91 - 9004048406 l+91 86575 49760
a. This circular will come into force with immediate effect.
This issues with the approval ofthe Director General of Shipping & Additional Secretary
to the Govemment of India.
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Deputy Director G of Shipping (Crew)
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Annexure -
Instructions to take the Dfintout ofForm-l Form-|A, and Form-l8
Form-lI Details Submitted bv RPSL Asencvl
Step I : Go to the Directorate General of Shipping website.
Step 2: Click the sub-menu "e-Govemance" under the 'l.T AND E-GOVERNANCE" menu.
Step 3: Log in with the User ID and Password provided by DGS.
Step 4: Navigate to Seafarer--+ Recruitment and Placement Services.
Step 5: Co to Foreign Ship Engagement ---) Sign-On/Sign-Off
Step 6: Enter the INDoS number and click the "Continue" button.
Step 7: The system will populate the list of Form-l details submitted. Click the 'View' link
under the 'View Details' column to take the printout of Form-1.
Form-lA I Article ofAsreement Submitted bv RPSL Agencv / Shiopine
Companyl
For RPSL Agency
Step l: Go to the Directorate General ofShipping website.
Step 2: Click the sub-menu "e-Govemance" under the 'l.T AND E-GOVERNANCE" menu.
Step 3: Log in with the User ID and Password provided by DCS.
Step 4: Navigate to Seafarer --- Recruitment and Placement Services.
Step 5: Go to Others ---r View Application.
Step 6: Select 'Articles ofA$eement' as the Application Type from the dropdown and click
the button 'View', system will populate the list of application(s) submitted.
Step 7: Click the 'Acknowledgement' link under the column 'Application' to take the
printout of Form-lA.
For Shipping Company
Step l: Go to the Directorate General of Shipping website.
Step 2: Click the sub-menu "e-Govemance" under the "I.T AND E-GOVERNANCE" menu.
Step 3: Log in with the User ID and Password provided by DGS.
Step 4: Navigate to Seafarer--- SMO-Other Activities.
Step 5: Go to Others --- View Application Status.
Step 6: Select'Articles of Agreement' as the Application Type from the dropdown and click
the button 'View', system will populate the list of application(s) submitted.
Step 7: Click the 'Acknowledgement' link underthe column 'Application' to take the
printout of Form-lA.
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Shipping Companvl
For non-RPSL Agency
Step l: Go to the Directorate General of Shipping website.
Step 2: Click the sub-menu "e-Govemance" under the "LT AND E-GOVERNANCE" menu.
Step 3: Log in with the User ID and Password provided by DGS.
Step 4: Navigate to Seafarer--- Recruitment and Placement Services.
Step 5: Go to eMigrate for Repair Technician --r Data Submit for eMigrate.
Step 6: Enter the Passport Number and click "Continue" , the system will populate the list of
details submitted.
Step 7: Click the 'View' link under the 'View Details' column to take the printout of Form-
18.
For Shipping Company
Step 1: Go to the Directorate General of Shipping website.
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Step 2: Click the sub-menu "e-Covemance" under the AND E-GOVERNANCE" menu.
Step 3: Log in with the User ID and Password provided by DCS.
Step 4: Navigate to Seafarer---+ SMO-Other Activities.
Step 5: Go to eMi$ate for Repair Technician ---+ Data Submit for eMigrate.
Step 6: Enter the Passport Number and click "Continue", the system will populate the list of
details submiued.
Step 7: Click the 'View' link underthe 'View Details' column to take the printout of Form-
lB.
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Annexure -
Instructions to c.hech the status of the Application Reference Number
(eMisrate Reference Number)
Step l: Go to https:r'iemigratc.gov.in
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Empowering Indian Migrant Workers:
Streamlining l-egal Migration
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Step 3: Enter Application Reference Number (eMigate Reference Number), Captchaand click the
button 'Validate' to check the status.
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1. The Director (Policy), Overseas Employment & Protector General of Emigrants,
(PCE) Division, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Sushma Swaraj Bhawan,
Chanakyapuri, New Delhi - I 1 0021, Email: usoe2.a m ea.so, .in:sooel a(a)mea.qov,in
2. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), (Foreigners-l Divisionilmmigration Section)
Covemment of India, Room No. 18,2"d Floor, MDCNS, New Delhi -l 10001
Email: dirf-m ha@nic.in, su pport.isd-m ha(a-rnic.in
3. The Secretary to the Govt. of India, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways,
Transport Bhawan, 01, Parliament Street, New Delhi- 110001 Email: usma-
psw(a gor'.in; soma2-shin(a gor.in
4. Bureau of Immigration Headquarters, East Block Vlll, Sector l, R K Puram,
New Delhi-66 Email: comm.boi-mhala nic.in suoport-boi mha.sov.in
5. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Opposite Safdarjung Airport,
Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi - I 10003 Email: dsoffice.dsca@nic.in
6. Airports Authority of India (AAI), Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, Safdarjung Airport,
New Delhi - I 10003 Email ID (Chairman): chairmanfaraai.aero
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