Non-Immigrant Visas

Crew and Transit Visas

Individual C-1/D visas are issued to crew members of international airlines and to aliens required for the normal operation and service of a vessel. In the case of the latter, in determining who qualifies for the C-1/D visas, Consular Officers take into consideration the individual's responsibilities and activities on the ship. For example, the most commonly issued C-1/D visas are to crewmembers of cruise liners and include, but are not limited to, beauticians, entertainers and lifeguards.

Crewmembers that plan to travel to the United States by air or ship for the purpose of joining a ship or aircraft in the United States must also obtain a transit (C-1) visa. Along with their DS-156 application form, crewmembers must submit their seamen's book and a letter from their employer explaining where and what ship they intend to join. Crewmembers joining a ship in the United States will normally be granted both a transit visa and a crew visa at the same time.

Alien crewmembers serving aboard a vessel or airplane that will land in the United States must obtain a visa. The visa symbol is "D". Crewmembers apply using a passport or a seaman's book along with a letter from the shipping company or airline confirming your employment and when you plan to arrive or dock in the United States.

Transit visas

On August 2 2003 - The US Department of Homeland Security and the US Department of State suspended two programs that allow certain international air passengers to travel through the United States for transit purposes without first obtaining a visa.  The programs, known as the Transit Without Visa program (TWOV) and the International-to-International transit program (ITI), have been suspended. This action does not affect US citizens.

Therefore anyone planning to transit through the United States en route to another country must obtain a transit visa (C visa) or tourist visa (B2 visa) in advance of the planned travel. The transit visa (C visa) is issued to foreign nationals proceeding in immediate and continuous transit through the U.S to some foreign destination. In most cases, an applicant who qualifies for a transit visa will also qualify for, and recieve, a B1/B2 (business and tourism) visa instead. Travelers who have a valid B1/B2 do not need a special transit (C) visa to transit through the U.S.

Note: Travelers who intend to transit the United States , who possess a U.S. visa of a category other than B1/B2 or C-1 will in most cases not be admitted by U.S. immigration officials, and may be returned to their country of origin at their own expense.