D Visa

AWhat is D visa?

Crewmember (D) visas are non-immigrant visas for persons working on board sea vessels or international airlines in the United States, providing services required for normal operation and intending to depart the United States on the same vessel or any other vessel within 29 days.

 If you travel to the United States to join the vessel you will work on, in addition to a crewmember (D) visa, you also need a transit (C-1) visa or a combination C-1/D visa.

BTravel purposes which require Crewmember (D) Visas – Examples:

  1. pilot or flight attendant on a commercial airplane
  2. captain, engineer, or deckhand on a sea vessel
  3. lifeguard, cook, waiter, beautician, or other service staff on a cruise ship
  4. trainee on board a training vessel

If you do not qualify for a Crewmember Visa, you may be able to apply for the following visa category:

  1. Dry Dock: The primary services you will perform are dry dock repairs under warranty while the boat is docked at a U.S. port. You may be able to apply for B-1.
  2. Fishing Vessel: You are a crewmember on a temporary basis on a fishing vessel that has a home port or operating base in the United States. You may be able to apply for H-2.
  3. Coasting Officer: You are a replacement coasting officer employed when an officer of a foreign vessel is granted home leave, and the vessel does not remain in U.S. waters for more than 29 days. You may be able to apply for B-1.
  4. Private yacht: You are a crewmember on a private yacht sailing out of a foreign port which will be cruising in U.S. waters for more than 29 days. You may be able to apply for B-1.
  5. Private yacht: You are a crewmember on a private yacht sailing out of a foreign port which will be cruising in U.S. waters for more than 29 days. You may be able to apply for B-1.

CQualification for D visas

To apply for D visas, you must demonstrate to a consular officer that:

  1. The purpose of your trip is to enter the United States solely for transit or crew purposes.
  2. You do not intend to be paid by a U.S. source while in the United States, unless you have been granted proper approval for a temporary work visa.
  3. You plan to stay for a specific, limited period of time.
  4. You have evidence of funds to cover all expenses while in the United States.