Any foreign citizen who wishes to enter the United States must obtain a visa. This is usually a nonimmigrant visa for a temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Crewmembers, such as pilots and flight attendants working on commercial sea vessels or international airlines, require a different type of nonimmigrant visa.

This article will examine what types of crewmember visas exist and what these visas for entering the United States permit and restrict. This article will also take a look at the application process, and the required documentation, among other details associated with it.

Crewmember visa types

A D-type visa allows crewmembers to enter the US for a temporary stay. According to the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs, D visas are nonimmigrant visas for individuals working on commercial sea vessels or international airlines in the United States.

These visas are for those providing essential services for the vessel's or airline's normal operation and who intend to depart the United States on the same boat or flight within 29 days.

However, there are instances when foreign pilots or flight attendants need to start their journey from the United States. In these cases, when they need to join an international flight in the US, they will need a D-type visa in addition to a transit C-1 visa or a combination C-1/D visa, which is the most popular when it comes to crewmember visa types.

C-1/D visa type: work/nonimmigrant visa

Target group: crew members of international airlines or cruises/yachts/boats

According to a report by the USA Visa Service, the C-1/D visa is the most issued visa for:

• Pilots
• Captains
• Flight Attendants
• Technicians
• Ship and service personnel
• All other employees for use onboard a ship or aircraft, such as entertainers, beauticians, musicians, etc.
• Trainee onboard

How to apply for a C-1/D visa

The application process for obtaining a C-1/D visa is relatively straightforward. But while the process is relatively straightforward, there is no guarantee that you will be issued a visa.

Typically, crewmembers complete the online visa application and then schedule an interview. The order of these steps and the specific procedures may vary depending on the US Embassy or Consulate. Applicants filling out the online application form, called DS-160, must upload a photo in the correct format.

After completing the online visa application, crewmembers need to print the application form confirmation page to bring to their visa interview. Interview appointment wait times vary by location, season, and visa category, so the US Department of State Burreau of Consular Affairs advises to apply for a visa early.

Crewmembers should schedule an appointment for their visa interview with a consular officer at the US Embassy or Consulate in their home country. While they can schedule their interview at a different US Embassy or Consulate, it may be more challenging to qualify for a visa outside of their home country. It is worth noting that the nonimmigrant visa application processing fee is $185.

Moreover, at the time of application, the person does not need to be currently employed, but they should have a contract confirming future employment on board.

Required documentation

Before the visa interview, applicants for crewmember visas must gather all the needed documentation. The documentation includes:

• Valid passport
• Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page
• Application fee payment receipt
• Photo (if the photo upload fails while filling out the DS-160 form)
• Evidence of your employment
• You must provide evidence of your intent to depart the United States after your trip (this can include proof of ties to your home country, such as real estate or other employment)

In addition to the mentioned documents, the interviewer may ask for proof that you can pay for your trip. If you cannot cover all the costs, you can show evidence that someone else will pay for some or all of your expenses.

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This visa does not allow crewmembers to work for a US employer. The C-1/D visa is solely for temporary stays in the United States while working onboard.

Validity of a C-1/D visa

According to the USA Visa Service report, the validity of a C-1/D visa varies based on the applicant's nationality, determined by a reciprocity schedule. For instance, German nationals typically receive a 10-year C-1/D visa, meaning they only need to reapply for a new visa after this period expires.

It is worth noting that the US Department of State uses the reciprocity schedule to guide individuals in acquiring supporting documents for their green card or US visa applications. This schedule specifies the availability, location, cost, and other pertinent details regarding obtaining an official copy of documents based on the issuing country.