I have a B1 visa but I will work in US under C1/D

[Orangecamie 0]

Hello everyone...I have a B1 visa, but I will work in US under the C1/D visa for seaman's..and my contract will end in July next year and I wish to spend my vacation in US...can I do that after I sign off from the cruise ship, or I need to fly out from the country and fly back?

[writers 1]

Is it a B1/B2 Visa? Or just B1? B2 Visa is what you need to stay in the US for pleasure. B1 is only for business. Ask your Crew Admin if they can assist you with it. What cruise line is it? As far as Carnival Cruise Line is concerned, they do assist crew members who would like to sign off using a B2 Visa after a contract so they can stay in the US for vacation.

[Orangecamie 0]

Is it a B1/B2 Visa? Or just B1? B2 Visa is what you need to stay in the US for pleasure. B1 is only for business. Ask your Crew Admin if they can assist you with it. What cruise line is it? As far as Carnival Cruise Line is concerned, they do assist crew members who would like to sign off using a B2 Visa after a contract so they can stay in the US for vacation.

Oh, sorry..lol..it is a B1/B2 visa and the cruise line is Disney Cruise Line...

[writers 1]

shouldn't be a problem. Check with your cruise line if they can sign you off on your B2 Visa. Some Cruise Lines does, some doesn't.

[Orangecamie 0]

shouldn't be a problem. Check with your cruise line if they can sign you off on your B2 Visa. Some Cruise Lines does, some doesn't.

Yes, I understand that..I only wanted to know if anybody knows what else should I do in case the cruise line doesnt help me signing off on my tourist visa..

[juliava 80]

Hello everyone...I have a B1 visa, but I will work in US under the C1/D visa for seaman's..and my contract will end in July next year and I wish to spend my vacation in US...can I do that after I sign off from the cruise ship, or I need to fly out from the country and fly back?

I have never heard anyone holding 2 valid visas for entering US. Not possible.

[Orangecamie 0]

I have never heard anyone holding 2 valid visas for entering US. Not possible.

Of course it's possible..u only use one for entry...in my case my entry will be for work therefore I will have my C1/D visa..but after I finish my contract, so the C1/D visa ends too, I wanna visit my friends and spend my vacation with them in US, which will require my B1/B2 visa...and that's what I need help with...how will I do that?

[juliava 80]

If the B1/B2 (not sure which one) is still valid, you should have an approved entry in US once you finish your work contract. As I never heard of anyone holding two visas at the same time as two ways to enter the same country, you should double check the validity of the tourist visa with the US embassy as you have another visa approved.

[Boiler 46,059]

Quite possible to hold several visa's, which one you use would depend on the purpose of your visit.

I seem to remember that Cruise Lines somehow can make you use the C/D even though you have a B. The logic of this I do not know. Neither allows you to work in the US.

I presume the issue is that a B gives you a longer stay? If you have to use the C/D then yes you would need to leave to be able to re enter on a B.

[juliava 80]

I did a little reasearch for you and here is the only thing I have found:

Q.2 I wish to apply for a dual visa (C1D & B1/B2). What should I do?

Ans You can fill up the dual visa application form Ds-160 and purchase a HDFC receipt in order to schedule an appointment for C1D visa at the VFS Website. At the time of the interview, you can request the Officer for the dual visa. The Consular Officer might accordingly ask you to pay the fees for the same. However, granting or rejection of the visa is the sole discretion of the US Consular Officer.

Did you request both visas at the same time?

[juliava 80]

More info:

The two elements which constitute an alien as a "crewman" are serving on a vessel, and seeking admission because of his occupation in that role. If you are a working crew and seek admission because of your occupation, that makes you a D.

A crew-member who is signing off, is classifiable as a D-2. In the D-2 classification, the admission period almost never is 29 days, even though it could be. The normal admission period for D-2 non-immigrants is "as needed." If the shipping agent can get you on a flight later in the day, that's how long you'll get.

A B-1 visa is only for visitors for business. Examples of B-1 purposes are:

* Consult with business associates;

* Attend a scientific, educational, professional or business convention, or a conference on specific dates;

* Settle an estate;

* Negotiate a contract;

* Participate in short-term training.

If you sign off the vessel in a foreign port and arrive in the U.S. as a passenger, you could apply for admission as a visitor for pleasure if you have a B-2 visa. The C-1 classification would not be appropriate for pleasure trips.

If you have a B-2 visa, and you are admitted as a D-2, you would have to leave the U.S. as a D-2 and try to re-enter as a B-2.

[Boiler 46,059]

Now I know, thanks.

[juliava 80]

Now I know, thanks.

I can say the same thing!

To OrangeCamie- based on all the above - it's quite obvious that you can not enter US directly as a tourist by getting off the ship where you worked as a crewman.

You need to sign off that vessel somewhere in a foreign port and enter US as a regular passenger to seek admission via B2 route. Of course, at the end of your contract as a crewman.

[writers 1]

I have worked on cruise ships - Holland America and Carnival - and I have been entering the US with my C1/D visa and signing off on my B1/B2 for the passed 3 years. HAL didn't do such a thing but Carnival does. Just tell them ahead of time that you will be signing off using your B1 and they will ask you to fill out some paperwork. At times, I entered the US using my B1/B2 and then waited till I had a schedule to join the ship, then my B1/B2 validity is transferred to my C1/D while I was on the ship. There's no problem at all, having multiple types of visas. In fact, you need different types, depending on the purpose of your visit to the US. I am engaged to my 3 1/2 year boyfriend who's American and we are awaiting for a petition for me to get K-1 visa, to enter the US with the purpose to get married. Again, depending on your purpose to enter the US, you will need the proper type of visa, or they won't accept you to enter the US. They are very strict with these policies.

[Orangecamie 0]

More info:

The two elements which constitute an alien as a "crewman" are serving on a vessel, and seeking admission because of his occupation in that role. If you are a working crew and seek admission because of your occupation, that makes you a D.

A crew-member who is signing off, is classifiable as a D-2. In the D-2 classification, the admission period almost never is 29 days, even though it could be. The normal admission period for D-2 non-immigrants is "as needed." If the shipping agent can get you on a flight later in the day, that's how long you'll get.

A B-1 visa is only for visitors for business. Examples of B-1 purposes are:

* Consult with business associates;

* Attend a scientific, educational, professional or business convention, or a conference on specific dates;

* Settle an estate;

* Negotiate a contract;

* Participate in short-term training.

If you sign off the vessel in a foreign port and arrive in the U.S. as a passenger, you could apply for admission as a visitor for pleasure if you have a B-2 visa. The C-1 classification would not be appropriate for pleasure trips.

If you have a B-2 visa, and you are admitted as a D-2, you would have to leave the U.S. as a D-2 and try to re-enter as a B-2.

Gosh..lol..so complicated to come to this country to visit..probably would be easier to fly to the moon...lol...I do have both visas and both valid and not the first time that I have them both..its just the first time that I wish to sign off in US for my vacation..thats why I wasnt sure what to do..but I guess I will try to get it sorted on the ship, if not...I guess I'll need to fly out and fly back to US...mamma mia!...lol...