Crewmember Visa | GovAssist

What is a U.S. Crewmember Visa?

If you are traveling to the U.S. as part of a crew on an aircraft or other vessel, and will be staying in the U.S. for less than 29 days before traveling to your next destination, you may apply for a Crewmember visa (D visa).

Keep in mind that you will have to provide proof of your employment as a crewmember in order to apply (pilot or flight attendant on a commercial airplane; captain, engineer, or deckhand on a sea vessel; lifeguard, cook, waiter, beautician on a cruise ship; trainee on a training vessel, etc.).

If you are traveling as a regular passenger and will join your crew in the US, you will need to get a combined transit & crewmember visa (C1/D visa).

Most crew members remember that they need the visa just shortly before their trip to the U.S. Getting help from a travel consultant is priceless especially when you are busy working on the ship or when you left your home country and you are already on board, in a different country than your own.

When applying for a crewmember visa, you must:

Have a valid passport. The validity date must be at least 6 months beyond your intended period of stay (unless exempt).

Work on board of a commercial sea vessel or an international airline in the United States, providing services required for normal operation.

Intend to depart the United States on the same vessel or any other vessel within 29 days.

Have sufficient funds to cover your expenses while in the United States.

Have a residence outside the United States, as well as other binding ties to your home country, that will ensure your departure from the U.S. at the end of the visit.

Have an employment contract and a letter (original) from your employer or your employer’s agent identifying you as a crew member and describing in detail the nature and function of your position.

Crew visas may require more supporting evidence to complete than other nonimmigrant visa types.
Make sure you have the right documentation pieces ready before you apply.

Get assistance throughout your visa journey:

Your personal visa consultant

Have a personal advisor along the way to stay ahead of potential obstacles and to avoid any unnecessary delays.

24/7 Limitless support, anywhere in the world

Get answers to your questions and concerns on short notice, no matter which time zone you call home.

User-friendly digital tools

Speed up the process with our digital tools, from any device, to make your visa journey that much smoother of a ride.

Decades of experience

No matter how complex your personal story, your visa advisor remains with you through each of the steps.