D crewmember

Crewmember (D) visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons working onboard commercial 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.

Crewmember (D-3) visas may be issued to persons performing ship-to-ship liquid cargo operations (lightering activities) to or from another vessel engaged in foreign trade and who will depart the United States within 180 days.

- pilot or flight attendant on a commercial airplane - captain, engineer, or deckhand on a sea vessel - lightering crewmembers - lifeguard, cook, waiter, beautician, or other service staff on a cruise ship - trainee onboard a training vessel

You may apply for a crewmember visa without being employed at the time of your visa application. However, the crewmember visa may only be used for entry to a U.S. port if you are employed on the sea vessel or aircraft on which you arrive.

The interviewing consular officer may request that you provide evidence you are transiting to meet the vessel, for example, a letter from your employer or employer's agent.

providing services required for normal operation

| Dry Dock: The primary services you will perform are dry dock repairs under warranty while the boat is docked at a U.S. port. | B-1 | | 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. | H-2 |

| 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. | B-1 | | Outer Continental Shelf: You are a crewmember going to the Outer Continental Shelf. | B-1 |

Non-lightering crewmember (D) visa holders must depart the United States on a vessel within 29 days, while crewmembers engaged in lightering activities (D-3) must depart within 180 days.

Your spouse and unmarried, minor children may apply for visitor (B) visas to accompany you, if they will not perform services required for normal operation of the vessel.

Non-lightering crewmember (D) visa holders must depart the United States on a vessel within 29 days, while crewmembers engaged in lightering activities (D-3) must depart within 180 days.

Whether you are applying for the first time or renewing your visa, you will use the same application process (please review How to Apply, above).