American visa for seafarers

Examples of Recent U.S. Visas Obtained Through the Vizaus Visa Center

Video Instruction for Obtaining a U.S. Visa

The C1/D visa type is a combination of two types of non-immigrant visas: the C category visa, which allows for transit through the U.S., and the D category visa, which is necessary for working on a vessel. C1/D visas are issued to crew members who operate and maintain air and sea vessels on U.S. territory. The procedure for obtaining a crewmember visa may have certain specifics, which we recommend familiarizing yourself with before applying for the visa.

Features of Applying for a Visa

The procedure for obtaining a crewmember visa consists of standard steps:

• gathering the necessary set of documents;
• paying the consular fee;
• completing the DS-160 electronic form;
• scheduling an interview;
• successfully passing the interview and submitting biometric data.

On the appointed day and time for the interview, you must visit the U.S. Embassy. When your turn comes, you need to submit the collected documents and undergo a brief interview. During the interview, you will be asked questions about the purpose of your trip, the crew composition, the name of the vessel, etc. Listen carefully to all questions and answer them honestly and comprehensively.

Important! Our company recommends arriving at the embassy 15 minutes before the scheduled time to pass security checks.

After the interview, the embassy officer will immediately inform you whether the visa will be issued or not. You will be able to receive the new visa after all your documents have been reviewed.

If a crew member wishes to stay in the United States during their leave after the end of their employment, they need to obtain a B-1/B-2 visa. When applying for both visa categories, you only need to pay the consular fee of 160 USD once. One application is submitted, indicating both travel purposes. It should be noted that when applying for any other two visas (e.g., C1/D and B1 or C1/D and F1), two consular fees are charged.

There are also certain specifics for contract workers who work on board a vessel but do not meet the definition of crew members. Since the work they perform is not required for the normal operation of the vessel, in most cases they fall under the category of passengers and cannot obtain a D category visa.

In such cases, the visa type will depend on where the repair and maintenance are performed, and whether it is under warranty or not. For engineers, carpenters, painters, etc., who work while the vessel is in transit or perform warranty work/contractual obligations while the vessel is in dry dock, a B-1 visa is intended. If such repairs are conducted in dry dock and are not under warranty, such workers need to have a non-immigrant H-2 work visa.

It is important to note that workers who have obtained a B-1 visa cannot travel and vacation in the United States without additionally obtaining a B-2 visa.

For more details, you can visit:

• www.ustraveldocs.com/ua_ru/ua-niv-typecandd.asp
• travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/other-visa-categories/crewmember-visa.html

List of Documents

The American visa for crewmembers, like any other visa to this country, will require you to gather the necessary documents.

To pass the interview, you need to prepare:

• passport (with one or more blank pages, valid for at least 6 months after the trip. The passport can be either new (biometric) or old style);
• one color photograph (50 x 50 mm) on a white or light gray background, taken within the last 6 months;
• receipt of payment of the consular fee;
• confirmation of the interview appointment;
• printed form confirming the submission of the DS-160 application for review.

In addition to the above main documents, you will also need to provide:

• Seaman’s passport.
• Crew list. This list includes all crew members of the vessel or cruise liner traveling with you.
• Valid contract from concessionaires (if available).
• Invitation letter, indicating the seaman’s name, position, date and place of boarding the vessel, as well as the full address of the agent in the U.S., including phone and fax numbers.
• Diplomas and documents of special education (diplomas and certificates of completion of educational institutions, courses).

If in the future you need a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) from TSA, ensure that your employer provides you with a corresponding letter during document preparation. In such a letter, they should state that you also need to obtain a B1 visa in addition to the crewmember visa.

You must pay the consular fee twice for the simultaneous processing of two visas!

Visa Processing with Our Company

Visa processing services from our company include:

• document package preparation on your behalf;
• assistance in completing the application form;
• scheduling the interview;
• additional consultations;

Visa Validity Periods

The C1/D crewmember visa in the U.S. is issued to Ukrainian citizens for 10 years and allows for an unlimited number of entries. Any crew member with a C1/D visa is entitled to stay in the U.S. for no more than 29 days. This 29-day period can only be exceeded if they also have a B1/B2 visa. In such cases, the duration of stay in the U.S. will depend on the validity of the B1/B2 visa.

The country’s territory includes: continental America, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. It is considered that you have not left the United States until the vessel you are on crosses into international waters.

For more details, you can visit: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/other-visa-categories/crewmember-visa.html

The cost of processing an American visa for crewmembers with our company can be found by contacting our visa specialists.

We process visas for residents of all cities in Ukraine. To do this, you need to contact our company in Kyiv to provide the necessary documents. After obtaining the visa, we can deliver it to your city at the specified address.