Service standards
Provided that all the required documents have been submitted to the satisfaction of Transport Canada, and that those documents are authentic and valid, Transport Canada will strive to issue the completed and signed Confirmation of Receipt of Application (CRA) within ten (10) working days. The CRA will allow a foreign seafarer to serve on board a specific Canadian vessel for up to three (3) months. The CRA cannot be extended or reissued for the same certificate.
If the Canadian endorsement cannot be issued before the CRA expires, the foreign seafarer cannot serve on board the Canadian vessel until the entire process is complete and the Canadian endorsement has been issued.
Provided that all the required documents have been submitted by the authorized representative and the foreign seafarer, including the complete record of familiarization for initial application, to the satisfaction of Transport Canada, Transport Canada will strive to issue the Canadian endorsement within twenty (20) working days.
Record of familiarization
All foreign seafarers who apply for a Canadian endorsement must have an appropriate knowledge of the applicable Canadian laws to enable safe and efficient operation of the vessel.
For foreign seafarers who apply for a Canadian endorsement of a foreign Certificate of Competency, issued in accordance with the provisions of Regulation II/2, III/2, III/3 or VII/1 at the management level, the Canadian authorized representative must ensure that the foreign seafarers complete the on board familiarization on Canadian maritime laws.
Prior to the issuance of a Canadian endorsement, the on board familiarization must be developed, recorded, and submitted to Transport Canada, as defined in the guidelines for the familiarization on the Canadian maritime law contained within the Declaration of the Authorized Representative form (82-0787).
For how long is an endorsement valid?
A Canadian endorsement recognizes the validity of a foreign certificate and aligns with its same expiration date. For example, if a seafarer’s foreign certificate expires in July 2025, the corresponding Canadian endorsement will also expire in July 2025. The endorsement includes the capacities and any limitations of the foreign Certificate of Competency. However, these capacities and limitations may be adjusted to comply with the applicable Canadian safe manning requirements.