C1/D crewman visa

All foreign crew members are eligible for D visa. Crew members may include pilots, air hostesses, flight attendants, stewards, seaman, or employees on board a ship whose services are required for normal operation while traveling to the US, as passengers to join a vessel or aircraft.

Consulate considers the alien's responsibilities on the ship to determine whether the services of a person are required for normal operation and service on board a vessel. e.g., a beautician or a lifeguard employed on board a luxury liner, an electrician employed on board a cable ship, or a chemist employed on board a whaling boat is classifiable as a crewman.

Dependents

Spouse or dependent children accompanying a crewman entering the United States, and not performing services required for normal operation of the vessel or aircraft, must obtain a B-2 visa, unless such dependent is planning to enter the United States for a purpose that would necessitate a different classification or qualifies under the Visa Waiver Program. Visa Waiver Program is only available to those who enter the US aboard a participating carrier. Many shipping companies are not participating carriers.

D2 visa

In order to qualify for D2 visa, you must serve in good faith in any capacity on board a fishing vessel that is required for normal fishing operation and service. Also, you must intend to land temporarily and solely pursue your calling as a crewman and depart from the US with the fishing vessel on which you arrived.

Dry Dock

Crewmen who are to service a vessel in dry dock require the appropriate work visas unless the work is being done under warranty in which case, they qualify for the B-1 visa.

Private Yacht

If you will be working on a private yacht sailing out of a foreign port and cruising in US waters for more than 29 days, you need a B-1 visa.

Holiday

If you wish to remain in the US for a holiday after your period of employment, you will be required to apply for admission as a visitor on a B-2 visa. However, if you enter the US aboard a cruise liner which participates in the Visa Waiver Program you may be eligible to enter visa free. You should check with the cruise liner before traveling.

Documents

Following documents are required for C1D visa:

Mandatory documents

Passport
One photograph
Original DS-156, nonimmigrant visa application form.
Original DS-157, supplemental nonimmigrant visa application form.
Visa Fees
Application fee and service charge to be paid in advance at participating HDFC bank before taking an appointment.
Visa fee receipt issued by HDFC bank with two bar code stickers to be carried to the consulate at the time of interview.
Interview appointment letter.
Sample

Supporting documents

Evidence of ties to the home country. e.g.
- Bank statements
- Lease/mortgage agreement
- Utility bills
- Evidence of investments
Category specific
- Ship Crew
  - A comprehensive, original, signed letter from the employer on letterhead stationery (original) addressed to the US consulate/embassy confirmation:
    - confirming the employment with the company
    - period that the applicant will be in the US
    - name of the vessel
    - date and port of entry
    - date and port of exit
    - job position
    - the company's financial responsibility while the applicant is in the US
    - nature and function of the crew member's position
    - purpose of travel
    - local agent's name and address in the US
  - Copies of employer work records
  - CDC Card
- Airline Crew
  - Original letter from the airline

Application

Visa applicant must demonstrate that:

The purpose of their trip is to enter the US for crew-related business or transit;
They plan to remain for a specific period;
They have a residence outside of the US as well as other binding obligations which will insure their return abroad at the conclusion of their trip.

Reciprocity Issues

A combined C1/D visa may not be issued sometimes because of reciprocity issues.

When the reciprocity schedule lists the same number of applications and period of validity for both C-1 and D visa, a combined C1/D visa may be issued.

When the reciprocity schedules for C-1 and D visa differ with regard to the number of applications or period of validity permitted in each category, the consular officer shall issue separate C-1 and D visa, and an application and fee must be collected for both visas.

Restrictions

While on D visa, the following restrictions apply:

You may not be involved in fishing (exception: on D2 visa, you may be involved only in fishing), and the ship's home port must be in the US.
You must land in and depart from the same port as part of your crew duties.
You can't apply for extension of stay on D visa.
If you want to reenter the US, you must apply for the visa after six months.
You can't apply for change of status or adjustment of status while on D visa.
You may not study in US while on D visa.
You are authorized to work in the US only for the vessel for which you have received the visa.
You may not apply for a green card while on D visa.
You are generally prohibited performance of long shore work at US ports. To seek an exception to this rule, an employer must file an attestation stating that it is the prevailing practice for the activity at that port, there is no strike or lockout at the place of employment, and that notice has been given to US workers or their representatives.

Crew List Visa

Master or agent of any vessel arriving in the US must fill the Form I-418 that lists the names of all crew members who don't have individual visas or alien registration cards (green cards) to obtain a crew list visa. Original Form I-418 must be filled in only through column 3; leave column 4 and 5 blank. A copy of Form I-418 should be filled in completely with columns 4 and 5 completed. The form will be accepted even if the captain has not signed it.

If the vessel plans to make 2 or more calls in the US, submit an additional copy of Form I-418 for each entry into the US.
If additional crewmen are signed on after the original list is issued visas, a supplemental crew list should be prepared and submitted.

You must also submit the following for the crew list visa:

Crew list in alphabetical order with full names, with their dates of birth and passport numbers in Form I-418
Job description of crew members
Itinerary of crew members
Passports of crew members
Name, address, phone and fax numbers of an agency company in the US
Name, registry number and flag of registration of the vessel
US port and date of entry
Last foreign port of call and date of departure before entry into the US
Next foreign port of call (ship's itinerary)
Type of vessel and purpose of entry
Method of salary payment
Qualification certificate and proof of prior travel as seaman (work-books, certificates, prior passports etc.) are required for vessel crew members applying for the first time or/and with new passports

Crew member visas are multiple entry visas valid for 2 years and cost US $150 plus $45 application fee for each crew member.