C1/D Crewman Visa

[jachey 1]

My finance has a five year C1/D crewman visa and entered the US on 11/9/11. After going through training with the cruiseline he boarded the ship on 11/13/11. We know that his contract will be up in May 2012 and he would like to come and visit me for a week before going back to his country. Is this allowed?

Any advice or information will greatly appreciated.

[siebu09 1]

Well I don't have any answer to your question but I have a question pertaining to the c1/d visa

How do you apply for that and what are the pros and cons with it. THank you

[jachey 1]

The crewman visa is a none immigrant visa to work on a crewship in the U.S. The one con for this visa is that you cannot adjust your status from this visa so if you if you are engaged or married to someone who has this visa you are not excluded from going through the finace/spousal visa process.

This visa is purely given to allow someone to work on a crewship in the U.S.

Below is the link to the travel state website with infor on the crewman visa:

http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_5005.html

[Eveliina 0]

He would need to talk to the somebody at the ships crew office and ask if this is possible.

Some cruise lines help people sign off for vac in USA with a valid B1/B2, but most have very strict policies even against this. In theory I think he could stay in USA for 29 days but he will need some major help in convincing the immigration officer at the sign off check to stamp him more time on I-94 than the usual 1-2 days (depending on the flight departure).

Have you thought of visiting him on the ship? Depending on his rank and cruise line policy he might be eligible for family rates at the end of his contract. Just remember if you do go see him there to make sure he lists you as family so you will be able to see each other more freely.