US Visa /R C1/D

[busywoman 0]

Here's the story: A friend's USC daughter wants her boyfriend to visit the US but the boyfriend only has this type of visa which is given to crewmembers. Does anyone know the conditions on this visa and can the boyfriend still enter the US as a tourist without having a B1 visa? Please help. Thanks!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

No, he needs a B2 tourist visa to come visit. He can hold both visas for two different purposes.

[busywoman 0]

Thank you for your quick response.

[Jojo92122 1,924]

Here's the story: A friend's USC daughter wants her boyfriend to visit the US but the boyfriend only has this type of visa which is given to crewmembers. Does anyone know the conditions on this visa and can the boyfriend still enter the US as a tourist without having a B1 visa? Please help. Thanks!

The US State Department is in charge of visas. You can go their website to get more information about the different types of visas.

Read this for the D visa for crewmen; http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_5005.html It seems that he may be able to stay in the US for up to 29 days if he is admitted into the US on the D visa. You will have to research this further or ask an immigration attorney. The D visa is a rare subject on this forum.

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Qualifying for a Crewmember Visa

Crewmember applicants must meet specific requirements to qualify for a Crewmember (D) visa under immigration law. The consular officer will determine whether you qualify for the visa. You:

Must provide services that are required for normal operation on board a sea vessel or aircraft (for example, a lifeguard or beautician on board a luxury liner or a flight attendant on a commercial airplane).

Do not have to be employed when you apply for your visa, as long as you are employed on the sea vessel or aircraft on which you arrive in the U.S.

May be a trainee on board a training vessel.

Also, you must intend to depart from the U.S. on the same vessel or any other vessel within 29 days. Please be advised that departure is defined by immigration law as leaving a U.S. port destined for a foreign port. “United States” is defined as including the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, neither the vessel nor you have “departed” under immigration law, if the vessel travels to international waters but does not clear or enter a foreign port.

Note: The nationality of the vessel on which you are employed does not have any impact on the consular officer's decision of whether you qualify for the visa.

Edited July 31, 2011 by Jojo92122