The Directorate General of Maritime Administration has updated immigration rules through Circular 38 of 2026, streamlining shore leave and crew changes at Indian seaports.
Under the new Shore Leave Pass regulations, standard shore leave runs in a daily window from 06:00 to 23:45, with passes valid up to seven days — extendable to 30 days for certain crew categories. Supernumeraries no longer require a Continuous Discharge Certificate and can disembark on a valid passport and visa alone.
Crew changes within port limits are now permitted for both Indian and foreign vessels with just a written request and an agency undertaking, while changes outside port limits remain prohibited except for urgent medical cases with prior FRRO clearance.
The full breakdown of the circular — including the General Declaration stamping change that speeds up coastal-run conversions — is in this week’s subscriber edition.