Crew Travel Authority visa (subclass 942)

Sunday 5 November 2023

Crew Travel Authority visa (subclass 942)

The Crew Travel Authority visa (subclass 942) is a special visa for international airline crew members who do not have an Australian or New Zealand passport, or a valid Australian visa, and need to travel to and from Australia for work purposes. This visa allows crew members to enter and stay in Australia temporarily while performing their duties.

Process

In order to apply for the Crew Travel Authority visa, you must meet the following criteria:

Be registered as crew by your air carrier
Be travelling on a commercial or chartered passenger flight, freight or cargo flight as an airline crew member, airline positioning crew member, or aircraft safety inspector

With this travel authority, you can...

With the Crew Travel Authority visa, you are able to:

Travel to Australia as part of your work as an international airline crew member or safety inspector with a special purpose visa
Stay in Australia for up to 30 days if you are an airline crew member or safety inspector with a special purpose visa
Stay in Australia for up to 5 days if you are a positioning crew member with a special purpose visa
Have the CTA registration valid for the life of your passport based on the passport expiry date

Visa Stay

The duration of stay for international airline crew members and safety inspectors is up to 30 days with a special purpose visa. Airline positioning crew members can stay up to 5 days with a special purpose visa.

Visa Cost

The Crew Travel Authority visa (subclass 942) is free of charge.

Visa Processing Time

There are no processing times available for this visa.

About this Authority

Under the Special Purpose visa framework, the Crew Travel Authority (subclass 942) is an electronic immigration record used by commercial airlines to register crew members for travel to Australia. The registration is valid for the life of the passport. Commercial airlines can verify the eligibility of their international aircrew to enter Australia by using the Carrier Portal.

International airline flights that are eligible for the Crew Travel Authority include commercial passenger flights, chartered passenger flights, and freight or cargo flights.

It's important to note that crew members with Australian or New Zealand passports do not require a Crew Travel Authority. Additionally, New Zealand citizens have different entry requirements and entitlements, including pathways to permanent residence and citizenship, which can be found on the New Zealand citizens webpage.

Private Flight Operators

Private flight operators are not eligible to register for or use a Crew Travel Authority (subclass 942) to enter Australia. Only commercial or chartered flights carrying passengers or cargo are eligible. Private flight operators can use the Visa Finder tool to explore other visa options.

With this Travel Authority, You Can

With the Crew Travel Authority visa, you can:

Visit Australia as part of your work as an international airline crew member or aircraft safety inspector employed by a foreign government
Arrive as a passenger (as an airline positioning crew member) on a commercial aircraft to move an international aircraft from Australia
Arrive in Australia as an aircraft safety inspector, if you hold a valid government identity document showing you are employed by a foreign government, or if you hold an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Safety Inspector Certificate

How Long You Can Stay

If you are an international airline crew member or aircraft safety inspector, you can stay in Australia for up to 30 days. If you are an airline positioning crew member, you can stay for up to 5 days.

New Zealand Passport Holders

If you are a New Zealand citizen crew member arriving in Australia without holding another visa, such as a permanent residence visa, and you wish to stay longer than the allowed periods, you should not enter Australia via SmartGate. Instead, you should approach a border clearance officer and apply for a Special Category visa (subclass 444) by completing an incoming passenger card and presenting your New Zealand passport. The SCV allows you to live, visit, work, and study in Australia. When you leave Australia, your SCV will end, and you will need to apply for a new SCV upon your next entry. It's important to note that entering Australia on a Special Purpose visa as a crew member may impact your resident status for social security purposes. If you apply for the SCV after arriving in Australia, you will need to apply online and attend an appointment. For further information, refer to the New Zealand citizens webpage.

Stay Longer

You cannot stay in Australia as the holder of a Special Purpose visa longer than the allowed duration. If you wish to stay longer, you must apply for a different type of visa.

Cost

The Crew Travel Authority visa (subclass 942) is free of charge.

Obligations

As a holder of a Crew Travel Authority, you must obey all Australian laws. It is not permitted to use the authority to travel as a passenger to Australia unless you are an airline positioning crew member. Additionally, you are not allowed to work on more than one domestic leg in Australia, unless it is part of an international arrival or departure flight.

Travel

While holding the Crew Travel Authority, you can travel outside of Australia and return as many times as needed for work purposes as an airline crew member or aircraft safety inspector. The time spent outside of Australia does not extend the duration of the Crew Travel Authority. The registration of the Crew Travel Authority is valid for the life of your passport based on the passport expiry date. The visa will be digitally linked to your passport, and you will not receive a label in your passport.

Include Family

Family members cannot be included on the Crew Travel Authority. They must apply for their own appropriate visas.

Be an Airline Crew Member, Positioning Crew, or Aircraft Safety Inspector on an Eligible International Airline Flight

In order to be eligible for the Crew Travel Authority visa, you must be traveling on an international airline flight that is a:

Commercial passenger flight
Chartered passenger flight
Freight or cargo flight

Additionally, you must fulfill the following criteria depending on your role:

If you are an Airline Crew Member:

You must be employed by an international air carrier as aircrew
You must be traveling to Australia as part of your job as aircrew
You must leave Australia by air as part of your job or as a passenger

If you are an Airline Positioning Crew Member:

You must be employed by an international air carrier as aircrew
You must be traveling to Australia as an air passenger as part of your job
You must leave Australia as aircrew

If you are an Aircraft Safety Inspector:

You must be employed by a foreign government to inspect the safety procedures of international air carriers or the safety of aircraft
You must be traveling to Australia by air as part of your job
You must leave Australia by air as part of your job or as a passenger

Before You Apply

Most often, air carriers register crew members for the Crew Travel Authority. It is important to renew your passport before the carrier registers you for the authority.

Check Your Passport

It is essential to check that your passport is valid and use the same passport to travel to Australia as the Crew Travel Authority is linked to your passport number.

Gather Your Documents

In order to apply for the Crew Travel Authority visa, you will need the following documents:

A valid passport or other travel document
A valid Airline Identity Card or ICAO Safety Inspector Certificate

Make sure to have all the necessary documents ready and provide true information with your application.

Aircraft Safety Inspectors

Aircraft safety inspectors will be granted a Special Purpose visa for 30 days starting from the moment they disembark from the aircraft, provided they hold a valid passport and either a valid government identity document showing that they are employed by a foreign government or an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Safety Inspector Certificate. Additionally, they must be included in a list of crew members provided to the Australian Border Force by or for the carrier that operates the aircraft.

Air Crew Documents

Airline crew members will be granted a Special Purpose visa for 30 days starting from the moment they disembark from the aircraft, provided they hold a valid passport and a valid Airline Identity Card. They must also be included in a list of crew members provided to the Australian Border Force by or for the carrier that operates the aircraft. Crew members on freight flights should also be listed on the General Declaration Form signed on behalf of the air carrier.

Air Positioning Crew Documents

Airline positioning crew members will be automatically granted a Special Purpose visa for 5 days starting from the moment they disembark from the aircraft, provided they hold a valid passport. They must also have a letter from their employer certifying their status as an aircrew member, detailing the purpose of their travel, and outlining the arrangements for them to leave Australia.

Register for the Authority Online

Carriers can register crew members through the Carrier Portal, where they can also verify the validity of Crew Travel Authorities. Carriers without access to the Carrier Portal can register crew members by emailing appinfringements@abf.gov.au.

After You Register

The airline carrier will be notified immediately if the registration is successful. After registration, there are certain actions that can be taken, which will be communicated to the carrier.

Stay Lawful

It is important to obey all Australian laws while in Australia.

Tell Us If Things Change

If there are any changes to your phone number, address, or passport, or if you wish to withdraw your application, it is necessary to inform the relevant authorities. For any other issues, you can email appwebsite@abf.gov.au.

Going to Australia

Before You Leave

Check Your Travel Documents

Prior to leaving for Australia, it is crucial to ensure that you have the following valid documents:

Crew Travel Authority
Passport or other travel document
Airline Identity Card or ICAO Safety Inspector Certificate

At the Border

Upon arrival in Australia, you will need to present your Crew Travel Authority along with other required documents.

Airline Crew Members

Airline crew members will be granted a Special Purpose visa for 30 days starting from their arrival in Australia if they hold a valid passport or other travel document, a valid Airline Identity Card, and are included on the crew list provided to the Australian Border Force by or for the carrier that operates the aircraft. Crew members on freight flights should also be listed on the General Declaration Form signed on behalf of the air carrier.

Airline Positioning Crew

Airline positioning crew members will be automatically granted a Special Purpose visa for 5 days starting from their arrival in Australia if they hold a valid passport or other travel document. They must also have a letter from their employer certifying their status as an airline crew member, outlining the purpose of their travel, and detailing the arrangements for them to leave Australia.

Aircraft Safety Inspectors

Aircraft safety inspectors will be granted a Special Purpose visa for 30 days starting from their arrival in Australia if they hold a valid passport or other travel document, a valid government identity document showing that they are employed by a foreign government as an airline safety inspector, an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Safety Inspector Certificate, and are included in a list of crew members provided to the Australian Border Force by or for the carrier that operates the aircraft.

In Australia

Staying Longer

You cannot extend your stay in Australia by extending the Crew Travel Authority. If you wish to stay longer, you must apply for a different type of visa.

Proving You Have a Valid Crew Travel Authority

Airline carriers and Australian border officials can use the Advance Passenger Processing system to check whether crew members hold valid Crew Travel Authorities.

Leaving Australia

Before You Leave

Check Your Travel Documents

Before leaving Australia, ensure that you have a valid passport or other travel document.

At the Border

Upon departure, you will need to present your valid passport or other travel document.

Leaving the Airport Faster

If you have an ePassport, you may be able to use SmartGate, an automated process that uses facial recognition technology, to leave the airport faster.