Crew Members and Seamen
Crew members and seamen qualify for a particular visa category depending on the individual's responsibility and activities. Any group of five or more crew members or seamen must apply as a group using the Embassy's group appointment system.
- International Airline Crew Members
- Mariners
- Dry Dock Workers and Service Engineers
- Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Employees
- Private Yachts
- Holidays
- Dependents of Crewmen
International Airline Crew Members
C-1/D visas are issued to crew members of international airlines.
Mariners
C-1/D visas are issued to crew members required for the normal operation and service of a vessel. In determining whether a crew member qualifies for the C-1/D visa, we take into consideration the individual's responsibilities and activities on the ship. Thus, such crew members must present a seaman's book and a letter from an agency and/or cruise line confirming their employment on board a vessel. The letter should include the name of the applicant, detailed information on the purpose of the trip, the length of contract, name of the ship, location of the ship, complete itinerary of the ship, job description, and the crew member's rank/position.
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Dry Dock Workers and Service Engineers
Crewmen who are to service a vessel in dry dock require the appropriate work (H-2) visas unless the work is being done under warranty in which case, they qualify for the B-1 visa as Service Engineers .
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Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Employees
Employees of units operating on the Outer Continental Shelf require a B-1 OCS visa. For the purpose of application they need a U.S. Coast Guard letter of exemption for the vessel or individual(s). OCS workers already in possession of a valid B1/B2 visa do not need to apply for a new visa and may travel with 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 may apply for that specific visa, but their B1/B2 visa will be cancelled.
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Private Yachts
If you will be working on a private yacht sailing out of a foreign port and cruising in U.S. waters for more than 29 days, you require a B-1 visa.
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Holidays
If you wish to remain in the United States for a holiday after your period of employment, you will be required to apply for admission as a visitor on a B-2 visa.
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Dependents of Crewmen
Dependents of crewmen (D) visa holders who are accompanying the alien to the U.S. may be eligible for B-2 visas.
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