Seafarer Identity Documents (SID) for seafarers travelling to Brazil

Safety June 2023

Published on 19 Jun 2023

Effective 01 May 2023, Brazil requires Seafarers to hold a Seafarers Identification Document (SID) in accordance with ILO Convention 185. The SID is mandatory when they are on board or in transit to and from the ship. The Seaman book will not be acceptable as identification document in this country any longer.

In Brazil the SID is part of the immigration documents required to enter Brazil as a Seafarer.

  • For some nationalities on board without the SID, a visa waiver is required. Apply for this through the ship’s agents before calling at a Brazilian port.
  • Ship will be fined where a visa waiver cannot be facilitated.
  • Seafarers from countries where SID is not available must hold a VIVIS Visa. This must be applied in the home country of the Seafarer before embarkation.

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