Working on the cruise ships with immigration visa

[miss_s 0]

Dear all,

I`m desperate. I get immigration visa and it`s valid only 6 months.

In the meantime, I just get promotion in the company. I don`t know can I work still and after that I will move to USA?

I will try to get the ships who is sailing from USA so I can activate my visa on the airport.

Also I`m scared does the immigration officer is gonna let me go even if my not gonna be at adress that I put?

Please, help me

[William.P 1]

Hi,

You can work by extending your visa or adjust your visa status.

Dear all,

I`m desperate. I get immigration visa and it`s valid only 6 months.

In the meantime, I just get promotion in the company. I don`t know can I work still and after that I will move to USA?

I will try to get the ships who is sailing from USA so I can activate my visa on the airport.

Also I`m scared does the immigration officer is gonna let me go even if my not gonna be at adress that I put?

Please, help me

[miss_s 0]

Hi,

You can work by extending your visa or adjust your visa status.

I really don`t understand that procedure!

Edited September 28, 2013 by miss_s

[miss_s 0]

Does anybody know how this works or not?

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

The visa in your passport gives you 6 months to come to the US boarder. You will then be sent a green card for permanent residence in the mail. This will be good for 10 years. You will need to maintain your US residence to keep your green card valid. You could use a friends address or hire a mail serive to work for you

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Using a friend's address may or may not work. What are you going to say if you get asked by the border guards why you're in and out so frequently? If they suspect you have abandoned residence, they could well check if the address you give is bona fide. You could get a two- year re-entry permit, but then you need to be in the US long enough initially to go through the process (I think I read somewhere this could take a month or more).

One thing that does show residence intent should your case ever go before an immigration judge is that you are in good standing with the IRS, so be sure to submit a tax return every year once you get your green card.

This link may also help you: http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/can-i-accept--a-cruise-ship-job-offer-having-a-tem-538266.html

[miss_s 0]

Yes, I will pay the tax, but I dont get it. On the cruise ships we have the immigration after one week. I get scared that I will have problem with them.

[jaycali 415]

Yes, I will pay the tax, but I dont get it. On the cruise ships we have the immigration after one week. I get scared that I will have problem with them.

Let me see if I get this straight:

1. You have just been approved for an immigrant visa through the DV lottery.

2. You plan to enter the US, and then work for a cruise ship shortly after arrival in the US.

3. You will not have a permanent address in the US once you arrive, because you will be working on a cruise ship.

Am I right?

An immigrant visa works this way. The visa is an entry document used to enter the US. A status is given by the CBP officer on entry - based on the visa used to enter. When entering on an immigrant visa, you will be a permanent resident the moment the CBP officer stamps your immigrant visa. A green card will arrive in the mail shortly after your entry. Your stamped immigrant visa serves as proof of permanent resident status for one year, and can be used in lieu of an actual green card until the actual physical green card arrives in your possession.

So once your immigrant visa is activated/stamped, you are a legal permanent resident, and can travel without restrictions to and from the United States. Until your green card arrives, use your stamped immigrant visa in your passport as proof of resident status. There will not be any problems.

As far as an address goes. When entering the US as a new immigrant, you are required to report, and maintain a physical address in the US, and keep this up to date with the USCIS. Although you will be working on a ship, surely, you must have some place designated to receive mail? Use this address.

Edited October 31, 2013 by jaycali

[miss_s 0]

Let me see if I get this straight:

1. You have just been approved for an immigrant visa through the DV lottery.

2. You plan to enter the US, and then work for a cruise ship shortly after arrival in the US.

3. You will not have a permanent address in the US once you arrive, because you will be working on a cruise ship.

Am I right?

An immigrant visa works this way. The visa is an entry document used to enter the US. A status is given by the CBP officer on entry - based on the visa used to enter. When entering on an immigrant visa, you will be a permanent resident the moment the CBP officer stamps your immigrant visa. A green card will arrive in the mail shortly after your entry. Your stamped immigrant visa serves as proof of permanent resident status for one year, and can be used in lieu of an actual green card until the actual physical green card arrives in your possession.

So once your immigrant visa is activated/stamped, you are a legal permanent resident, and can travel without restrictions to and from the United States. Until your green card arrives, use your stamped immigrant visa in your passport as proof of resident status. There will not be any problems.

As far as an address goes. When entering the US as a new immigrant, you are required to report, and maintain a physical address in the US, and keep this up to date with the USCIS. Although you will be working on a ship, surely, you must have some place designated to receive mail? Use this address.

You are right.

I am very happy that somebody answer me on this.I really hope that this is gonna be okay. These two months I am very nervous and I`m going around asking people what should I do with this. I know that I will not have any isue on US bord.

On the ship we have immigration inspection, which is mean that they need to aprove my I 95, the paper that prove that I can go on shore, that is valid only for US ports . The only problem that I will have is with them. So, I will do like you said. Can I report the ship address or I can just ask some friend to recive my papers?

Edited November 14, 2013 by miss_s

[christeen 966]

You will not have any issue with the on board immigration... You show your passport with the i551 stamp (serves as temp green card) and you will go right through...

You do however need to get with the crew purser (or your agency depending if your are direct hire or 3rd party contract) and ask about changing your status with the company. They (the cruise line) have to report EACH crew member with the C1/D visas at hiring and at sign off /on so they need to know what visa you will be embarking on (the C1/D will be voided when the new visa is issued... Check to see if you need to do anything different... Otherwise there are no issues at immigration as there are many green card holders working on the ships...

You do need to maintain an address for mailing in the USA as they need that when you enter... You need to tell,them that this address in the USA is your permanent USA residence and keep in mind that you are just working on the ship cause saying you don't live in the USA and just live on a ship does not fulfill the residence requirements...

[miss_s 0]

You will not have any issue with the on board immigration... You show your passport with the i551 stamp (serves as temp green card) and you will go right through...

You do however need to get with the crew purser (or your agency depending if your are direct hire or 3rd party contract) and ask about changing your status with the company. They (the cruise line) have to report EACH crew member with the C1/D visas at hiring and at sign off /on so they need to know what visa you will be embarking on (the C1/D will be voided when the new visa is issued... Check to see if you need to do anything different... Otherwise there are no issues at immigration as there are many green card holders working on the ships...

You do need to maintain an address for mailing in the USA as they need that when you enter... You need to tell,them that this address in the USA is your permanent USA residence and keep in mind that you are just working on the ship cause saying you don't live in the USA and just live on a ship does not fulfill the residence requirements...

So, what do you suggest me? I really get scared to ask this the company.

[christeen 966]

You just need to ask the crew purser if you need to do.anythi g with them... You are getting your visa on your own... You will need to tell them you have such and such visa.... When you sign on or sign your contract, you have to send them a copy and notify them what visa that you are entering/working on as they have to keep records of that.

[miss_s 0]

You just need to ask the crew purser if you need to do.anythi g with them... You are getting your visa on your own... You will need to tell them you have such and such visa.... When you sign on or sign your contract, you have to send them a copy and notify them what visa that you are entering/working on as they have to keep records of that.

I just call my agent and I send them a copy. I hope that everything is gonna be okay. I really get scared that I`m gonna lose my job.

[christeen 966]

I just call my agent and I send them a copy. I hope that everything is gonna be okay. I really get scared that I`m gonna lose my job.

Hopefully no... But it is not something you can hide... If you have an immigrant visa and will be entering the USA on that visa, the company needs to be aware of that.. You can't have both.... There is no getting around that... Sometimes it depends on what your position in the ship is... And provided you can keep the foreign contract with your agency... But contacting your agency is the correct first step as they can tell you what the options and actions are.

The problem might be keeping your US residency depending on how long you will be physically gone from the USA each year... But I am not familiar with The DV lottery visa rules. We did not apply for greencard for my husband for 7 years while he worked on the ship due to the validity of his IMO (he was officer) and tax/residence issues...

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

The problem might be keeping your US residency depending on how long you will be physically gone from the USA each year... But I am not familiar with The DV lottery visa rules. We did not apply for greencard for my husband for 7 years while he worked on the ship due to the validity of his IMO (he was officer) and tax/residence issues...

Once you are issued a green card via the DV lottery it is exactly the same as any other green card, with the same residency rules. I don't honestly see how you can work on a cruise ship for any length of time and maintain residency.