Crewmember (D) Visa

Crewmember (D) visas are nonimmigrant 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.

I. Brief Introduction about D-1 and D-2 Visa

D-1 Visa Crewmen serving in good faith for normal operations aboard vessels may apply for the D-1 Visa. This classification includes musicians, stewards, technicians and chefs. You may temporarily remain in the U.S. and may only partakin in your “crewmen” duties while in the U.S. Your vessel cannot be involved in fishing, and its home port must be in the U.S. D-1 Visas may be issued for individuals or for an entire crew.
D-2 Visa Crewmen serving in good faith for normal operations aboard vessels may apply for the D Visa. This classification includes musicians, stewards, technicians and chefs. This visa is specifically issued to a crewperson who serves aboard a fishing vessel with a home port or base of operation in the U.S. You should plan to land in and depart from Guam as a part of your crew duties.

II. Procedures for applying for a D-1 and D-2 Visa:

  • Complete Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/, upload photos while completing the online Form I-160, and print the confirmation page for interview
  • Pay the non-refundable visa application fee
  • Make an appointment for an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate

III. Documents Required for applying a D-1 and D-2 Visa:

  1. Valid Passport: Applicant’s passport must be valid for at least six months beyond his/her period of stay in the U.S.
  2. Form DS-160 Confirmation Page
  3. Application fee payment receipt
  4. Photo – Applicant will be required upload photo while completing the online Form DS-160; if uploading photo failed, Applicant will be required submit one printed photo to the U.S. embassy or consulate during the interview.
    • Applicant’s photos or digital images must be:
      • In color
      • Sized such that the head is between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (22 mm and 35 mm) or 50% and 69% of the image’s total height from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
      • Taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance
      • Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background
      • Taken in full-face view directly facing the camera
      • With a neutral facial expression and both eyes open
      • Taken in clothing that you normally wear on a daily basis
      • Uniforms should not be worn in your photo, except religious clothing that is worn daily.
      • Do not wear a hat or head covering that obscures the hair or hairline, unless worn daily for a religious purpose. Your full face must be visible, and the head covering must not cast any shadows on your face.
      • Headphones, wireless hands-free devices, or similar items are not acceptable in your photo.
      • Eyeglasses are no longer allowed in new visa photos, except in rare circumstances when eyeglasses cannot be removed for medical reasons; e.g., the applicant has recently had ocular surgery and the eyeglasses are necessary to protect the applicant’s eyes. A medical statement signed by a medical professional/health practitioner must be provided in these cases. If the eyeglasses are accepted for medical reasons:
        • The frames of the eyeglasses must not cover the eye(s).
        • There must not be glare on eyeglasses that obscures the eye(s).
        • There must not be shadows or refraction from the eyeglasses that obscures the eye(s).
      • If you normally wear a hearing device or similar articles, they may be worn in your photo.
  5. Documentary of evidence showing the purpose of the trip, such as: pilot or flight attendant on a commerce airplane, captain, engineer or deckhand on a sea vessel, lifeguard, cook, waiter, beautician, other service staff on a cruise ship, or trainee on board a training vessel.
  6. Evidence of funds to cover all expenses while in the U.S.;
  7. Evidence of Applicant’s intent to depart the U.S. after the trip.

IV. Additional Notes

  • 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.