Travel and Visa Support Agent – Cruise Crew Processing Centre
OceanGlide Cruises
Available Locations:
Johannesburg, Gauteng
Job Description
Job Summary
OceanGlide Cruises is expanding its Crew Processing Centre and is looking for a detail‑obsessed, service‑driven Travel and Visa Support Agent. You will coordinate end‑to‑end travel, immigration, and documentation for our global crew—ensuring every seafarer boards the vessel fully compliant, on time, and cost‑effectively. You’ll liaise with embassies/consulates, visa vendors, medical providers, manning agencies, and internal crewing/HR/operations teams while working to strict sailing schedules and international regulatory standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Visa & Immigration Processing
- Prepare, submit, and track seafarer visa applications (e.g., C-1/D, Schengen, UK, Australia, Canada, Transit visas) and work permits as applicable.
- Verify eligibility, required documentation, and validity periods; escalate risks proactively.
- Maintain a real-time pipeline of applications, appointments, biometrics, and passport returns.
- Travel Coordination
- Book and optimise multi‑sector air/ground travel for crew using approved GDS/online tools, aligning with sign‑on/sign‑off schedules and cost policies.
- Reprotect/rebook crew during disruptions (IRROPS), coordinating with airlines, hotels, and ports/agents.
- Compliance & Documentation
- Validate crew documents (passports, seafarer books, STCW/MLC certificates, medicals, vaccinations, background checks).
- Ensure adherence to maritime, port state, flag state, and immigration regulations.
- Keep accurate digital records in the crew management system and ensure data privacy compliance (GDPR/other local regulations).
- Stakeholder Management
- Act as the primary point of contact for crew, manning partners, and internal departments for travel/visa queries.
- Provide clear instructions, timelines, and checklists to crew members.
- Continuous Improvement & Reporting
- Track KPIs (turnaround time, cost per move, first-time visa approval rate, rebooking incidents).
- Identify process gaps, suggest automation/templates, and maintain up-to-date SOPs and country visa matrices.
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Travel & Tourism, Business Administration, International Relations, HR, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- Strong understanding of global visa regimes, particularly seafarer visas (C‑1/D), Schengen processes, and transit requirements.
- Hands-on experience with GDS (Amadeus/Sabre/Galileo) or corporate booking tools is highly desirable.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; additional languages are an advantage.
- High proficiency with MS Office/Google Workspace; familiarity with crew management or ATS/HRIS platforms is a plus.
- Exceptional attention to detail, prioritisation, and time management under tight deadlines.
- Customer-first mindset with the ability to manage sensitive and confidential information.
Experience
- 2–4 years of experience in travel operations, immigration/visa coordination, or crew logistics (maritime, aviation, oil & gas, offshore, or similar regulated sectors).
- Demonstrated track record of handling high-volume, multi-country visa processing and complex travel itineraries.
- Experience working with embassies/consulates, visa outsourcing partners (e.g., VFS, BLS, TLS), and government portals is an advantage.
Working Hours
- Rotational shift-based schedule to support multiple time zones (e.g., 8-hour or 9-hour shifts, including occasional weekends/public holidays during peak deployment).
- On-call availability during vessel turnarounds, large crew change windows, or operational disruptions.
- Hybrid/Remote options may be considered depending on location and business need.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Regulatory Knowledge: STCW, MLC 2006, flag state/port state control basics, airline/airport transit rules.
- Operational Agility: Ability to act fast during flight cancellations, visa refusals, or schedule changes.
- Analytical Skills: Comfortable with dashboards, trackers, SLAs, and cost optimisation.
- Process Discipline: SOP writing, checklist creation, auditing, and continuous improvement mindset.
- People Skills: Empathy and clarity when guiding crew through complex procedures and tight deadlines.
Benefits
- Competitive salary with performance-based incentives.
- Health insurance and wellness benefits.
- Professional development support (immigration compliance, GDS certifications, maritime compliance training).
- Travel discounts and exclusive cruise benefits (as per company policy).
- Inclusive, multicultural workplace with global career mobility opportunities.
Why Join OceanGlide Cruises?
- Impact that matters: Your work directly ensures thousands of crew reach our ships safely, legally, and on time.
- Global exposure: Work across jurisdictions, cultures, and regulatory frameworks—every day is different.
- Grow with us: Be part of a scaling Crew Processing Centre where your ideas will shape process excellence.
- Stable & respected brand: Join a cruise line known for service excellence and people-first values.
How to Apply
- Email your CV and a short cover letter explaining your experience with travel/visa processing to careers@oceanglidecruises.com (subject: Travel & Visa Support Agent – [Your Name]).
- Include notice period, current/expected CTC, and location preference (onsite/hybrid/remote, if applicable).
- Attach any relevant certifications (GDS training, immigration/compliance courses).
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited to:
- A competency screening call
- A case exercise (e.g., solving a complex multi-country visa/travel scenario)
- Final interview with Operations/HR