{"id":867,"date":"2025-12-15T06:21:33","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T06:21:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/?p=867"},"modified":"2026-04-07T08:55:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T08:55:08","slug":"new-dgs-rules-regarding-form-i","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/new-dgs-rules-regarding-form-i\/","title":{"rendered":"New DGMA Rules Regarding Form-I For Indian Seafarers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#why-this-circular-was-needed\">Why This Circular Was Needed<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#what-was-wrong-with-the-old-form-i\">What Was Wrong With the Old Form-I<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#the-big-change-three-new-forms-introduced\">The Big Change: Three New Forms Introduced<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#1-form-i-revised\">1. Form-I (Revised)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#2-form-ia\">2. Form-IA<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#3-form-ib\">3. Form-IB<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#enhanced-security-features\">Enhanced Security Features<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#mandatory-acceptance-at-airports\">Mandatory Acceptance at Airports<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#responsibilities-of-rpsl-and-shipping-companies\">Responsibilities of RPSL and Shipping Companies<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#how-to-download-the-new-forms\">How to Download the New Forms<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#legal-protection-seafarers-are-key-workers\">Legal Protection: Seafarers Are \u201cKey Workers\u201d<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#what-to-do-if-you-still-face-harassment\">What to Do If You Still Face Harassment<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#final-thoughts\">Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#frequently-asked-questions-on-revised-form-i-form-ia-and-form-ib\">Frequently Asked Questions on revised Form I, IA, and IB\u00a0<\/a><ul><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"341\" height=\"512\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1-1.png\" alt=\"form-I\" class=\"wp-image-869 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1-1.png 341w, https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1-1-200x300.png 200w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 341px) 100vw, 341px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 341px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 341\/512;\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Indian seafarers have long been the backbone of global shipping, yet many of them have faced unnecessary stress at Indian airports &#8211; missed flights, delays, and even denial of boarding, despite holding all valid documents. The root cause was confusion around <strong>Form-I<\/strong> and its incorrect demand by airlines and immigration authorities for every category of traveler connected to ships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To finally resolve this issue, the Director General of Maritime Administration(DGMA) has issued <strong>Circular 56 of 2025<\/strong>, dated <strong>11 December 2025<\/strong>. This circular introduces <strong>revised and standardized forms<\/strong> that bring clarity, security, and uniformity to the travel process for seafarers and related personnel. This blog explains the circular in detail, covering <em>every aspect<\/em> of the notification, in a simple and human tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-this-circular-was-needed\">Why This Circular Was Needed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the past few years, DGMA received numerous complaints from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Indian shipowners<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/rpsl\/\">RPSL (Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers License) companies<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Seafarers themselves<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The problem was simple but serious: <strong>airline staff and immigration counters were insisting on Form I for everyone<\/strong>, regardless of whether it was legally required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a result, many Indian seafarers, despite carrying valid visas, CDCs, OKTBs, guarantee letters, and e-Migrate records- were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Denied boarding<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Delayed for hours<br>Subjected to harassment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These incidents were reported at major airports including <strong>Mumbai, Delhi, Varanasi<\/strong>, and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-was-wrong-with-the-old-form-i\">What Was Wrong With the Old Form-I<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The circular highlights two major issues with the old Form I:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Misinterpretation of Rules<br><\/strong> Merchant Shipping Notice (MSN) 05 of 2020 had already clarified that many categories, such as supernumeraries and technicians, <strong>do not require Form I or e-Migrate processing<\/strong>. Yet, the confusion continued at ground level.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Security Risk<br><\/strong> The old Form I was <strong>editable<\/strong>, 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.<br><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-big-change-three-new-forms-introduced\">The Big Change: Three New Forms Introduced<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"341\" height=\"512\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-870 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2-1.png 341w, https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2-1-200x300.png 200w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 341px) 100vw, 341px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 341px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 341\/512;\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>To eliminate ambiguity and prevent misuse, DGMA has replaced the old system with <strong>three clearly defined and secure forms<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-form-i-revised\"><strong>1. Form-I (Revised)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For <strong>Indian seafarers<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recruited through <strong>RPSL companies<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Working on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/new-form-1-rpsl-for-seafarers-on-foreign-flag-vessels\/\"><strong>foreign-flag vessels<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-form-ia\"><strong>2. Form-IA<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For <a href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/dgs-code-of-conduct-for-seafarers-2026\/\"><strong>Indian seafarers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Working on <strong>Indian-flag vessels<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recruited through <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalbabu.com\/rpsl-license\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.legalbabu.com\/rpsl-license\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RPSL companies<\/a> or Indian shipowners<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-form-ib\"><strong>3. Form-IB<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For <strong>non-seafarer categories<\/strong>, including:<br>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Supernumeraries<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Technicians<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Surveyors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Auditors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>OEM personnel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hotel crew on cruise ships<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Applicable to personnel covered under <strong>MSN 05 of 2020<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These three forms <strong>completely replace the old Form I<\/strong> for all practical purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"enhanced-security-features\">Enhanced Security Features<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To restore trust and prevent manipulation, the new forms include strong security measures:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Non-editable PDF format<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Embedded DGMA logo watermark<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>e-Migrate Application Reference Number (ARN) watermark<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Unique auto-generated serial number<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These features ensure that airlines and immigration authorities can easily verify documents without suspicion or confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mandatory-acceptance-at-airports\">Mandatory Acceptance at Airports<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The circular clearly instructs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Airlines<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ground-handling agencies<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Immigration Check-Post authorities (BOI, FRRO, ISOL)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>They <strong>must accept Form-I, Form-IA, or Form-IB<\/strong>, as applicable, <strong>without demanding any old Form I or extra verification<\/strong>, except in genuinely suspicious cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Importantly, the <strong>e-Migrate ARN is already integrated with the seafarer\u2019s passport number<\/strong> through the Protector General of Emigrants (MEA), making misuse extremely difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"responsibilities-of-rpsl-and-shipping-companies\">Responsibilities of RPSL and Shipping Companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The circular also places responsibility on companies to ensure smooth implementation. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/rpsl-companies-india-fake-complaint-guide\/\">RPSL agencies<\/a>, non-RPSL agencies, and shipping companies must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Issue the <strong>correct form<\/strong> to every seafarer or non-seafarer before airport departure<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Upload and generate ARN details through the <strong>DGMA e-Gov module<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide <strong>clear and complete travel documentation<\/strong> to crew<br><br>Failure to do so can again lead to avoidable trouble for traveling personnel.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-download-the-new-forms\">How to Download the New Forms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The circular provides <strong>step-by-step instructions<\/strong> (Annexure-I) to download each form through the DGMA e-Governance portal. Procedures differ slightly for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/how-to-meet-dg-shipping-rpsl-requirements-in-2025\/\">RPSL agencies<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shipping companies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Non-RPSL agencies<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, <strong>Annexure-II<\/strong> explains how seafarers and companies can verify the <strong>e-Migrate ARN online<\/strong> via the official e-Migrate portal before travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"legal-protection-seafarers-are-key-workers\">Legal Protection: Seafarers Are \u201cKey Workers\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"341\" height=\"512\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/3-1.png\" alt=\"form-I\" class=\"wp-image-871 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/3-1.png 341w, https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/3-1-200x300.png 200w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 341px) 100vw, 341px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 341px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 341\/512;\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>One of the most important affirmations in the circular is legal backing under <strong>Section 56(3) of the <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/understanding-the-preliminary-of-merchant-shipping-act-2025\/\"><strong>Merchant Shipping Act, 2025<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Seafarers are officially recognized as <strong>\u201cKey Workers\u201d<\/strong>, which means they are entitled to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Safe and unhindered movement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Smooth embarkation and disembarkation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shore leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Travel for shore-based medical treatment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Airlines and immigration authorities are expected to respect this status at all times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-to-do-if-you-still-face-harassment\">What to Do If You Still Face Harassment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite clear instructions, if any seafarer is denied boarding or harassed due to non-availability of the old Form I, the circular provides <strong>24\u00d77 grievance channels<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Email:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"mailto:support.dgsa@gov.in\">support.dgsa@gov.in<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>crews-dgs@dg.gov.in<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Phone \/ WhatsApp:<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>+91 9004048406<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>+91 86575 49760<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>DGMA has encouraged immediate reporting with full details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"final-thoughts\">Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Circular 56 of 2025 is a <strong>strong, long-overdue reform<\/strong>. It removes confusion, closes loopholes, strengthens security, and most importantly, <strong>respects the dignity of Indian seafarers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For seafarers, this means fewer questions at airports.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For airlines and immigration, it means one clear, standardized system.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For India, it reinforces trust in its maritime workforce.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"frequently-asked-questions-on-revised-form-i-form-ia-and-form-ib\">Frequently Asked Questions on revised Form I, IA, and IB&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1765778488491\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>1. What is the purpose of introducing Form-I, Form-IA, and Form-IB?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The new forms were introduced to stop confusion and harassment at Indian airports. Earlier, airlines and immigration officials were wrongly demanding the old Form-I from all travelers. The revised forms clearly define who needs which document and include security features to prevent forgery, ensuring smooth and uniform verification for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/coastal-shipping-act-2025-what-seafarers-and-non-seafarers-must-know\/\">seafarers and non-seafarers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1765778498126\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>2. Who should use Form-IB instead of Form I or Form IA?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Form IB is meant for <strong>non-seafarer categories<\/strong> such as technicians, supernumeraries, auditors, surveyors, OEM personnel, and cruise ship hotel staff. These categories are already exempt under Merchant Shipping Notice 05 of 2020 and should not be forced to produce seafarer-specific documents.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1765778509352\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>3. Is the old Form-I still valid for travel after Circular 56 of 2025?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>No. The old editable Form I is <strong>no longer valid<\/strong>. It has been fully replaced by Form-I, Form-IA, and Form-IB. Airlines and immigration authorities have been officially instructed <strong>not to insist on the old Form I<\/strong> under any circumstances.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1765778520755\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>4. How can airlines and immigration authorities verify the authenticity of the new forms?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Each new form is issued as a <strong>non-editable PDF<\/strong> and contains a DGMA watermark, a unique serial number, and an <strong>e-Migrate Application Reference Number (ARN)<\/strong>. This ARN is already linked with the traveler\u2019s passport through the Ministry of External Affairs, allowing easy verification without extra documents.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1765778529915\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>5. What should a seafarer do if boarding is denied despite having the correct form?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>If a seafarer is denied boarding or harassed, they should immediately report the incident to DGMA using the <strong>24\u00d77 helpline<\/strong> provided in the circular. Complaints can be raised via email or WhatsApp with full travel details so that prompt action can be taken.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Indian seafarers have long been the backbone of global shipping, yet many of them have faced unnecessary stress at Indian airports &#8211; 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 &#8230; <a title=\"New DGMA Rules Regarding Form-I For Indian Seafarers\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/new-dgs-rules-regarding-form-i\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about New DGMA Rules Regarding Form-I For Indian Seafarers\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[62,4],"class_list":["post-867","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-marine","tag-seafarers","tag-shipping"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/867","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=867"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/867\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1668,"href":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/867\/revisions\/1668"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=867"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=867"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=867"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}