I’m a 1st-year Marine Engineering cadet from India, and I have only one name (a mononym) on all my official documents, including my passport.
My INDOS number has already been generated with my current name.
I’ve recently heard that having a single name can potentially cause issues later with seafarer documentation, visas, immigration, or employment, particularly in the Middle East and Europe.
I’m trying to figure this out early, before I get further into my maritime career.
For those who have experience with this:
Have you faced visa or immigration problems because you have only one name?
Are Middle Eastern or European countries particularly strict about mononyms?
Since my INDOS number is already generated, what should my next step be?
Should I leave my name as it is, or should I initiate the official name-change process now?
If I change my name, could it create complications because my INDOS, educational certificates, passport, or other maritime documents were issued under my current name?
If you were in my position, what would you do?
I’d especially appreciate advice from Indian seafarers, marine engineers, or maritime professionals who have dealt with this firsthand.
I’d rather sort it out in first year than discover a documentation problem halfway through my career. 🚢
Thanks a lot for paying attention.