Becoming a seafarer in Pakistan as a career change

Official rules for adults who already have a profession on shore.

Age limits

The PMA cadet programme takes applicants no older than 20 on the cut-off date, so older entrants use other routes.
Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: Admissions Open (Session 2026-27), 64th Batch of Cadets
The GP-III rating course accepts applicants aged 18 to 25.
Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: GP-III Training for Ratings
Engineering graduates can enter the marine engineer route up to the age of twenty-eight.
Source: Marine Engineers Examination Rules

Entry through your shore profession

Your profession on shore	Role at sea	Course	Where and on what terms
Mechanical, electrical or electronic engineer (bachelor's degree)	Marine engineer officer	Engineering Graduates scheme: one year of industrial training in an approved workshop, then sea service and the Class IV examination	The scheme requires at least a Bachelor of Engineering in mechanical, electrical or electronic engineering. Source: Marine Engineers Examination Rules Graduates do one year of industrial training as engineer apprentices in an approved workshop. Source: Marine Engineers Examination Rules Candidates also take the eyesight and colour vision test of the Mercantile Marine Department. Source: Marine Engineers Examination Rules
Pakistan Navy executive officer (Lieutenant or above)	Deck officer	Merchant ship sea service, then the Class IV or Class III deck officer examination	Serving or retired Pakistan Navy executive officers from the rank of Lieutenant may sit the deck officer examinations. Source: Examination and Certification of Deck Officers and Safe Manning Rules, 2006 They need a total of thirty-six months of sea service, partly on merchant ships. Source: Examination and Certification of Deck Officers and Safe Manning Rules, 2006
Diesel mechanic	Marine engineer officer	Sea service as a diesel mechanic with engine-room watchkeeping, then the Class IV examination	A diesel mechanic with four years at sea, including six months of engine-room watchkeeping, may qualify for the Class IV engineer examination. Source: Marine Engineers Examination Rules

Minimum set of documents

Approved basic courses include personal survival techniques, fire prevention and fire fighting, and personal safety and social responsibilities.
Source: DG Ports & Shipping: List of courses approved and courses with name of institutes (12 September 2023)
A GP-III rating needs Matric or equivalent and medical fitness to IMO/ILO standards.
Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: GP-III Training for Ratings
A deck rating can sit the Class IV deck officer examination after forty-two months of sea service.
Source: Examination and Certification of Deck Officers and Safe Manning Rules, 2006

Costs and timing: official fees only

The PMA application is sent with a pay order or bank draft of Rs. 4,000.
Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: Admissions Open (Session 2026-27), 64th Batch of Cadets
Selected PMA cadets pay Rs. 159,000 as the admission and first-semester fee.
Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: Joining letter with annexures, 64th batch of cadets
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs sponsors 33 need-based scholarships at PMA.
Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: Admissions Open (Session 2026-27), 64th Batch of Cadets
Engineering graduates spend 12 months in industrial training before going to sea.
Source: Marine Engineers Examination Rules

How to avoid scams

PMA warns that it does not offer online training or teaching jobs: never send money, account details or document copies to anyone.
Source: Pakistan Marine Academy: Associate Degree Program (admission of cadets)
Only companies licensed by the Federal Government may act as manning agents in Pakistan.
Source: Pakistan Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 2001 (updated)
Forging a seamen's service book or a certificate of physical fitness is an offence under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance.
Source: Pakistan Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 2001 (updated)
Seafarers' particulars can be verified through the Government Shipping Office online data portal.
Source: Government Shipping Office: Online Data Portal, general information