Shore leave

Rules for shore leave in the Netherlands:

Crew members
Passengers
Exceptions

Crew members

Crew members are allowed to go ashore in the following terms:

1. From the time the immigration officer has carried out a check on board.
2. If the 6-hour period after the ocean vessel's berthing has lapsed without any check on board by an immigration officer.
3. After seeking and actually obtaining permission from the immigration officer of the border crossing point where the ocean vessel is berthed.

Crew members do not need to carry documents permitting them to cross the border when going on shore leave in the place where the ship is berthed and the adjoining municipalities.

Crew members must hold a document permitting them to cross the border [on board, for example]. This border crossing document does not need to be valid.

If crew members leave that area, they must carry their valid border crossing document and crew members who need a visa will have to travel through the border crossing point where the ocean vessel is berthed, because they need to be granted entry. They will eventually be granted a visa in their border crossing document if they have satisfied the conditions.

Crew members who have a duty to report and need an official stamp will not receive a stamp in their border crossing documents.

Please note:

The regulations on entry under the Aliens Act and compulsory identification must be applied independently of each other.

In accordance with the regulations on entry to the Netherlands, seafarers without a valid border-crossing document have restricted entry to the Netherlands under section 2.8 Vb. They are allowed to go on shore leave in the municipality where their ship is berthed or in an adjoining municipality.

However, under the Compulsory Identification Act, which also applies to seafarers on shore leave, seafarers on shore leave must be able to show a valid identity document. In practice, this means that, in accordance with this act, they have to carry a valid border-crossing document (required for entry to the Netherlands under the Aliens Act).

Passengers

Passengers who have a duty to report or need an official stamp may go ashore in the Netherlands. Visas of passengers who need an official stamp must be stamped. This may be done by the immigration officer boarding the ship for an immigration check. If such a check is not conducted on board, the passenger will have to visit the border crossing point where the ocean vessel is berthed to fulfil his obligations.

Passengers who need a visa must make sure they hold a visa, which may be stamped after a check has been made. Passengers not holding a visa will have to be refused entry.

Exceptions

Passengers needing a visa who have a relationship with a crew member may, by way of exception, be issued with a visa at the border crossing point where the ocean vessel is berthed, if they satisfy the entry conditions.

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