OVERVIEW

Crewmen serving in good faith for normal operations aboard vessels may apply for the D-1 Visa. This visa classification includes musicians, stewards, technicians and chefs serving aboard vessels. The crewman may temporarily remain in the United States but may only partake in his or her 'crewmen duties' while in the United States. The crewman's vessel cannot be involved in fishing, and its home port must be in the United States. D-1 Visas may be issued for individuals in a crew or for an entire crew.

STEPS

The application for a D-1 visa must be filed at the U.S. Consulate abroad having jurisdiction over the crewman's permanent residence. While applying for landing privileges, a crewman should submit their application in person, offer all necessary documents, be photographed and fingerprinted, establish that he or she is admissable under all relevant immigration laws and prove that he or she is entitled to land in the United States.

DOCUMENTS

When submitting the application at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy, the crewman will need to provide evidence of his or her employment. If a strike or lockout is underway at the time of application, the crewman will need to prove the following in order to receive the D-1 Visa:

1. The crewman has worked for the employer for at least one year prior to the beginning of the strike or lockout;
2. During the one-year period described in number one, the crewman must have worked for the employer at least once during three different months; and
3. The crewman expects to continue working for the employer at the level at which he or she was last employed.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

LEGAL SOURCES