Schengen Visa Changes to Benefit Seafarers
31 January 2020
Major changes have been announced for the European Schengen Visa, which is used by the citizens of 104 nations, including South Africa, Russia, Egypt and the Philippines.
The Schengen zone includes 26 European countries and is home to some of the most popular Mediterranean cruising ports, so these changes are set to benefit multiple yacht crew transiting through the region.
From 2 February 2020, new revisions will see seafarers granted with an extended period to submit their visa applications and frequent visitors will be given lengthier stays.
Extended application submission periods: seafarers can apply up to 9 months before their trip (as opposed to 3 months), with standard applicants also granted an application submission extension of up to 6 months.
Extended visa lengths: Those who frequently travel to EU member states with a good history of returning to their country of origin within the confines of previous visas will be eligible to receive multiple-entry visas for 5 years.
Online applications: Member States should also allow applications to be submitted electronically, where possible.
On the downside, the Schengen Visa will be getting more expensive and costing around €80 per application. Travel and medical insurance will also still remain mandatory.
For more information, visit the Schengen Visa Info website.
Please note: The information provided in this article is believed to be correct at the time of publishing (31.01.2020) and has been verified to be the best of the PYA's ability, however, cannot be guaranteed.
More news
Launch of a New AV/IT Training Programme to Address Growing Skills Gap Onboard Superyachts
The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) spearheaded the development of a series of courses to deliver fit-for-purpose AV/IT training, aligned with real onboard needs. The courses will be provided through IAMI GUEST Accredited training providers.
Antibes (France), 21 Jan. 2026 - Yacht agents and captains are reporting a growing demand for crew with Electrical Technical Officer (ETO) certification. However, while an ETO Certificate of Competency is a degree-level qualification focused primarily on high-voltage electrical systems, the operational reality onboard many yachts tells a different story.
(2).png)
Real Life On Board Competition - Superyacht Reality Project
The PYA, with the backing of the Raising The Bar think tank, invites yacht crew worldwide to contribute to Superyacht Reality – Real Life On Board, a global photo and video competition designed to reflect the authentic experience of working on superyachts.
This initiative aims to support career awareness, promote realistic expectations of life at sea, and share the everyday moments that define professional yachting — from teamwork and skills development to the challenges and rewards of working on board.
The competition starts on 19th January 2026, ends on 22nd March 2026, and the winners will be announced the following week.
PYA Christmas Ball 2025 Highlights
The 2025 PYA Christmas Ball took place on 5 December at the Hotel Martinez in Cannes, bringing Captains, crew and well-known leading industry professionals together for a 1960s-themed evening. We started with a cocktail reception, with live musicians playing as guests arrived in retro attire. After months of preparation, we were truly delighted to see how much our members and partners enjoyed this special night. The PYA Christmas Ball remains a cherished tradition, bringing our community together to celebrate, connect, and create lasting memories.