Crew Member and Transit Visas (C1/D)
All applicants for transit and crewmember visas must make an appointment for an interview on Monday through Friday beginning 7:30 a.m., except Polish and American holidays and the last working Friday of the month. They can make this appointment by following the procedures outlined in the How to Apply section of this site. They must have the electronic application form DS-156 filled in on-line.
Applicants must present the documents described in Basic documents and photographs along with letter of employment and contract. In addition, applicants are requested to provide previous passports and, when applicable, Seamen’s Books at the time of interview.
C1/D applicants can also apply through their crewing agencies. To see more about this possibility, see the group interviews section of this website.
Aliens employed on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) require B1 visa and a U.S. Coast Guard letter of exemption for the vessel or him/herself. However, OCS workers already in possession of a valid B1/B2 visa need not apply again. They should travel with a valid B1/B2 visa and a copy of the Coast Guard letter to explain the purpose of a trip at port of entry. If they prefer having an annotated B1(OCS) to avoid more rigorous immigration inspection, they can apply for that specific visa, but their B1/B2 visa will have to be cancelled.
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