New regulations on procedures for registration and issuance of crew member's books in Vietnam as of April 1, 2024

New regulations on procedures for registration and issuance of crew member's books in Vietnam as of April 1, 2024 (Internet image) 

 Regarding this matter, LawNet would like to answer as follows: 

On December 31, 2023, the Minister of Transport issued Circular 56/2023/TT-BGTVT, amending Circular 23/2017/TT-BGTVT on ranks and duties of crew members and registration of crew members working on Vietnamese ships

1. New regulations on procedures for registration and issuance of crew member's books in Vietnam as of April 1, 2024

According to Article 1, Clause 2 of Circular 56/2023/TT-BGTVT, the procedures for registration and issuance of crew member's books in Vietnam are as follows:

- Organizations and individuals submit one (01) set of application documents for registration and issuance of crew member's books directly or send them through the postal system or via the online public service system to one of the crew member registration authorities. The documents include:

+ Application for issuance of crew member's books according to the prescribed Form;

+ Two (02) color photos (for cases of direct submission or through the postal system), 01 file photo (for cases of submission through the online public service system), sized 4cm x 6cm, which is the same one as used for the identity card and taken within six (6) months;

+ Certified copy or copy attached to the original for comparison or electronically certified copy from the original: Passport or valid 09-digit ID card as prescribed (for cases without an ID card or a valid 12-digit ID card);

+ Certified copy or copy issued from the original logbook or copy attached to the original for comparison or electronically issued copy from the original logbook or electronically certified copy from the original Basic Professional Training Certificate;

+ Certified copy or copy issued from the original logbook or copy attached to the original for comparison or electronically issued copy from the original logbook or electronically certified copy from the original Degree, relevant professional certificate corresponding to the assumed title for titles that do not require a Certificate of Professional Competence (for crew members);

+ Original or certified copy or copy issued from the original logbook or electronically issued copy from the original logbook or electronically certified copy from the original Acceptance of Internship Document from the shipowner (for trainee students).

- The crew member registration authorities shall receive, check the documents, and process them as follows:

+ In the case of direct submission, if the documents are complete, a receipt for the documents is issued and the results are returned within the prescribed deadline in this clause; if the documents are incomplete as prescribed, they are returned immediately, and the organization or individual is instructed to complete the documents;

+ In the case of receiving documents through the postal system or via the online public service system, if the documents are incomplete as prescribed, within a maximum of two (02) working days from the date of receiving the documents, the registration agency for crew members shall instruct the organization or individual to complete the documents (in writing or through the account of the organization or individual on the public service system).

- Within a period of two (02) working days from the date of receiving the complete and valid documents as prescribed, the crew member registration authorities carry out the entry into the Register of crew members and issue crew member's books according to the prescribed form. In the event of not issuing the book, the registration agency for crew members must respond in writing within the prescribed deadline in this clause and state the reason.

- The fees and charges for issuing crew member's books are implemented according to the legal provisions on fees, charges, and instructions of the Ministry of Finance.

2. Revocation of crew member's books and responsibilities of organizations and individuals in carrying out administrative procedures in Vietnam as of April 1, 2024

Article 1, Clause 3 of Circular 56/2023/TT-BGTVT stipulates the revocation of crew member's books and the responsibilities of organizations and individuals in carrying out administrative procedures in Vietnam as follows:

- Crew member's books that have been issued will be retrieved and processed according to the provisions of the law when there are discrepancies in the declared information or the use of falsified repair documents or forged documents in the application for issuance of crew member's books.

- The crew member registration authorities have the authority to retrieve crew member's books. After revoking the crew member's books, the registration agency must notify the unit that issued the crew member's books and report to the Vietnam Maritime Administration in writing.

- Organizations and individuals are responsible for the legality and validity of the documents when carrying out administrative procedures.

More details can be found in Circular 56/2023/TT-BGTVT, taking effect on April 1, 2024.

Nguyen Ngoc Que Anh

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