Brazil: Seafarer identity documents to be used for immigration control until June 2021

Brittania P&I Club informs that, according to its correspondents, the Brazilian Division of Immigration Control and Border Security requires that seafarer identity documents issued under the terms of the ILO Convention 108 to be used for the purpose of immigration control for all seafarers, regardless of their nationality, until 15 June 2021.

According to the Circular Note No. 51:

1. Exceptionally, until June 15, 2021, a seafarer’s identity document prepared under the terms of OIT Convention No. 108 is allowed.
2. The exceptional flexibility described above will apply only to seafarers who are nationals of signatory countries to OIT Convention No. 185.
3. Due to the recognition of the difficulties faced by India and other countries in similar conditions that culminated in this guideline, the infraction notices eventually drawn up due to the impediment of their seafarers to enter because they are carrying an identity produced under the terms of OIT Convention no. 108 are subject to review, either in a craft or on appeal grade, according to the understanding of the competent authority (responsible for its drawing up and legal review).

In addition to the circular hereabove, this General Coordination expands the scope of the flexibilization already conveyed by means of Official Circular Letter nº 52, of December 10, 2020, advising that:

1. Exceptionally, until June 15, 2021, the seafarer’s identity document prepared under the terms of ILO Convention No. 108.
2. Regardless of nationality, exceptional flexibility is to apply to all seafarers.
3. Due to the terms of the aforementioned ILO resolution that culminated in this guideline, the infraction notices eventually drawn up due to the impediment of their seafarers to enter because they are carrying an identity produced under the terms of the ILO Convention No. 108 are subject to review, ex officio or in appellate degree, according to the understanding of the competent authority (responsible for its drawing up and legal review).

Concluding, it is highlighted that

The opportunity is taken to alert that there are documents of seafarers produced based on Convention No. 108 that can be recognized as “hybrids”, that is, they are made with the intention of simultaneously meeting the purposes of identifying (identification card of and to register employment contracts (seaman’s book).