Last updated 14/05/2026
You will find essential information below to help you understand the type of Seafarers Medical Fitness Certificate you need to obtain. If you have any questions or need further advice, please reach out to your Global Talent Partner (GTP) or CUK Compliance Contact.
All Seafarers Medical Certificates must be obtained from an approved clinic. Certificates from non-approved clinics will not be accepted, and you will need to obtain a new certificate at your own cost. If you are contracted through a third party (Revenue Partners/Contractors), this may not be applicable to you.
You are responsible for ensuring that the clinic you choose is approved by the relevant maritime authority. You must visit the clinic in person, so we recommend selecting the one closest to your home and strongly advise using the same examiner, as they will be aware of your medical history and condition. Additionally, travel costs to and from the clinic are not covered.
Additionaly you MUST bring your original medical certificate with you in the format it was issued, for example a hard copy not laminated. The only exception to this would be for Bermudan medical certificates, which are now isssued digitally.
Important Medical Review Requirements
Please be aware that:
- If your SMFC has been issued with a validity period of less than 12 months, or with any restrictions, you may be contacted by our shoreside medical team at crewmedical@carnivalukgroup.com for review.
- If your certificate has been issued with a validity period of less than 24 months and/or includes restrictions, you must declare this on your Health Declaration and attend the medical center within 2 days of embarkation.
- This requirement does not apply where reduced validity is standard due to age or issuing authority processes (e.g. Canada: 6-month initial certificates, Ukraine: 1-year validity etc).
If you reside in one of the below countries
| Bangladesh | India | Indonesia |
| Mauritius | Nepal | Nigeria |
| Phillipines | South Africa | Sub Saharan Africa |
| United Arab Emirates |
You must obtain one of the below Medical Certificates.
**As of 1st May 2025, Bermuda Medical Certificates from approved doctors will be issued in digital format only. Click here for more details and guidance.
If you reside in one of the below countries
| Afghanistan | Algeria | Azerbaijan | Benin | Bhutan |
| Bolivia (Plurinational State of) | Brunei Darussalam | Cape Verde | Cambodia | Democratic People’s Republic of Korea |
| Dominican Republic | Ecuador | Equatorial Guinea | Fiji | Georgia |
| Greenland | Guyana | Haiti | Iraq | Kazakhstan |
| Korea (Republic of) | Kyrgyzstan | Lao People’s Democratic Republic | Libya | Togo |
| Bolivia (Plurinational State of) | Greenland | Libya | Madagascar | Malawi |
| Malaysia | Marshall Islands | Micronesia (Federated States of) | Moldova (Republic of) | Mongolia |
| Morocco | Myanmar | Nauru | Nicaragua | Niue |
| Norther Mariana Islannds | Palau | Papua New Guinea | Paraguay | Peru |
| Romania | Russian Federation | Singapore | Solomon Islands | Tajikistan |
| Thailand | Timor-Leste | Togo | Turkmenistan | Tuvalu |
| Uzbekistan | Venezuela (Bolivian Republic of) | Vietnam | Yemen |
You must obtain one of the below Medical Certificates.
- A Bermudan Medical Certificate
- A Norwegian Medical Certificate
- A Medical Certificate from a CUK company approved doctor
**As of 1st May 2025, Bermuda Medical Certificates from approved doctors will be issued in digital format only. Click here for more details and guidance.
For countries not listed in the tables above, you can obtain one of the following Medical Certificates.
- A Bermudan Medical Certificate
- A Norwegian Medical Certificate
- A Medical Certificate from a CUK company approved doctor
- A Medical Certificate issued by an approved Flag State Maritime Authority from one of the following countries:
| Australia | Austria 1 | Belgium | Bermuda 2 | Bulgaria |
| Canada | China | Croatia | Cyprus | Czech Republic |
| Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Germany |
| Greece | Hong Kong | Hungary | Iceland | Italy |
| Jamaica | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg 3 | Malta 4 |
| Netherlands | New Zealand | Norway | Pakistan | Poland |
| Portugal | Republic of Ireland | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain |
| Sri Lanka | Sweden | Ukraine | United Kingdom |
- Please be aware that Austria does NOT have a seafarer medical examination system ↩︎
- A Bermudan medical certificate is only valid if issued by a company approved doctor. **As of 1st May 2025, Bermuda Medical Certificates from approved doctors will be issued in digital format only. Click here for more details and guidance. ↩︎
- Please be aware that Luxembourg does NOT have a seafarer medical examination system. ↩︎
- A Malta seafarer medical certificate will only be accepted if it was completed by a qualified Medical Practitioner licensed by the Malta Medical Council and examination was conducted in Malta’s territory. Maltese Seafarer Medical Certificates issued outside Malta’s territory will NOT be accepted. ↩︎
Still have a question?
Please contact your Global Talent Partner (GTP) or CUK Compliance Contact who’ll be able to advise you on the medical certificate you’ll need to obtain.