Indian seafarers have long been the backbone of global shipping, yet many of them have faced unnecessary stress at Indian airports – missed flights, delays, and even denial of boarding, despite holding all valid documents. The root cause was confusion around Form-I and its incorrect demand by airlines and immigration authorities for every category of traveler connected to ships.

To finally resolve this issue, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has issued Circular 56 of 2025, dated 11 December 2025. This circular introduces revised and standardized forms that bring clarity, security, and uniformity to the travel process for seafarers and related personnel. This blog explains the circular in detail, covering every aspect of the notification, in a simple and human tone.

Why This Circular Was Needed

Over the past few years, DGS received numerous complaints from:

• Indian shipowners
• RPSL (Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers License) companies
• Seafarers themselves

The problem was simple but serious: airline staff and immigration counters were insisting on Form I for everyone, regardless of whether it was legally required.

As a result, many Indian seafarers, despite carrying valid visas, CDCs, OKTBs, guarantee letters, and e-Migrate records- were:

• Denied boarding
• Delayed for hours
  Subjected to harassment

These incidents were reported at major airports including Mumbai, Delhi, Varanasi, and others.

What Was Wrong With the Old Form-I

The circular highlights two major issues with the old Form I:

1. Misinterpretation of Rules
   Merchant Shipping Notice (MSN) 05 of 2020 had already clarified that many categories, such as supernumeraries and technicians, do not require Form I or e-Migrate processing. Yet, the confusion continued at ground level.
   
2. Security Risk
   The old Form I was editable, making it vulnerable to forgery and misuse by unscrupulous agents. This created a risk where innocent seafarers could be criminalized for no fault of their own.
   

The Big Change: Three New Forms Introduced

To eliminate ambiguity and prevent misuse, DGS has replaced the old system with three clearly defined and secure forms:

1. Form-I (Revised)

• For Indian seafarers
• Recruited through RPSL companies
• Working on foreign-flag vessels

2. Form-IA

• For Indian seafarers
• Working on Indian-flag vessels
• Recruited through RPSL companies or Indian shipowners

3. Form-IB

• For non-seafarer categories, including:
  
  • Supernumeraries
  • Technicians
  • Surveyors
  • Auditors
  • OEM personnel
  • Hotel crew on cruise ships
    
• Applicable to personnel covered under MSN 05 of 2020

These three forms completely replace the old Form I for all practical purposes.

Enhanced Security Features

To restore trust and prevent manipulation, the new forms include strong security measures:

• Non-editable PDF format
• Embedded DGS logo watermark
• e-Migrate Application Reference Number (ARN) watermark
• Unique auto-generated serial number

These features ensure that airlines and immigration authorities can easily verify documents without suspicion or confusion.

Mandatory Acceptance at Airports

The circular clearly instructs:

• Airlines
• Ground-handling agencies
• Immigration Check-Post authorities (BOI, FRRO, ISOL)

They must accept Form-I, Form-IA, or Form-IB, as applicable, without demanding any old Form I or extra verification, except in genuinely suspicious cases.

Importantly, the e-Migrate ARN is already integrated with the seafarer’s passport number through the Protector General of Emigrants (MEA), making misuse extremely difficult.

Responsibilities of RPSL and Shipping Companies

The circular also places responsibility on companies to ensure smooth implementation. RPSL agencies, non-RPSL agencies, and shipping companies must:

• Issue the correct form to every seafarer or non-seafarer before airport departure
• Upload and generate ARN details through the DGS e-Gov module
• Provide clear and complete travel documentation to crew
  
  Failure to do so can again lead to avoidable trouble for traveling personnel.

How to Download the New Forms

The circular provides step-by-step instructions (Annexure-I) to download each form through the DGS e-Governance portal. Procedures differ slightly for:

• RPSL agencies
• Shipping companies
• Non-RPSL agencies
  

Additionally, Annexure-II explains how seafarers and companies can verify the e-Migrate ARN online via the official e-Migrate portal before travel.

Legal Protection: Seafarers Are “Key Workers”

One of the most important affirmations in the circular is legal backing under Section 56(3) of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.

Seafarers are officially recognized as “Key Workers”, which means they are entitled to:

• Safe and unhindered movement
• Smooth embarkation and disembarkation
• Shore leave
• Travel for shore-based medical treatment

Airlines and immigration authorities are expected to respect this status at all times.

What to Do If You Still Face Harassment

Despite clear instructions, if any seafarer is denied boarding or harassed due to non-availability of the old Form I, the circular provides 24×7 grievance channels:

• Email:
  • support.dgsa@gov.in
  • crews-dgs@dg.gov.in
• Phone / WhatsApp:
  
  • +91 9004048406
  • +91 86575 49760
    

DGS has encouraged immediate reporting with full details.

Final Thoughts

Circular 56 of 2025 is a strong, long-overdue reform. It removes confusion, closes loopholes, strengthens security, and most importantly, respects the dignity of Indian seafarers.

• For seafarers, this means fewer questions at airports.
• For airlines and immigration, it means one clear, standardized system.
• For India, it reinforces trust in its maritime workforce.

If implemented properly, this circular can finally put an end to the airport struggles Indian seafarers have faced for years and that alone makes it a landmark step forward.

Frequently Asked Questions on revised Form I, IA, and IB