Ms

[Christelle830 0]

Hello I have been given a DS 5535 following missing information on my Captain letter ( I work on a yacht) I submitted all required information and was Told I would hear back from them within 60 days. I applied for a B1/B2 visa which is standard in my profession.  It has been 517 days and I never heard back from the embassy. I sent them countless emails explaining that without the visa I would lose my job. I actually lost a great job on a yacht due to me not having the visa, my status is still refused. I have found another job on another yacht and again I need the visa and still no positive or negative answer. I have absolutely no criminal records in any country or political affiliation whatsoever and come from Europe. 517 days later I am still under security vetting and I seriously think that my application has been discarded or forgotten about. I don’t want to lose another job. What can I do please ? 

[Boiler 45,467]

C/D is perhaps more specific

 

Anyway which Consulate what is your Nationality have you ever been to the US.

[JeanneAdil 6,491]

yeah  why B1/2 

Crewmember (D) visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons working on board commercial sea vessels or international airlines in the United States,

[JeanneAdil 6,491]

do u realize u can not work on B1/B2 

its for tourist and temporary business 

[Christelle830 0]

27 minutes ago, Boiler said:

C/D is perhaps more specific

 

Anyway which Consulate what is your Nationality have you ever been to the US.

Yes I applied under French passport at Paris and I have been to US before as a yacht crew. The captain is the one asking for visas for crew. C/D do not apply to us as they are only transit visas. 

[Christelle830 0]

17 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

do u realize u can not work on B1/B2 

its for tourist and temporary business 

All yacht crew are under B1/B2 visas. I work on foreign flagged vessels and that was my 3rd renewal 

[JeanneAdil 6,491]

11 minutes ago, Christelle830 said:

All yacht crew are under B1/B2 visas. I work on foreign flagged vessels and that was my 3rd renewal 

he said he was a captain

 

and this is what is said on

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/other-visa-categories/crewmember-visa.html

Travel purposes which require Crewmember (D) Visas - Examples:

 

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

[JeanneAdil 6,491]

B2

Business (B-1)

 

• Consult with business associates
• Attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference
• Settle an estate
• Negotiate a contract

[Christelle830 0]

1 minute ago, JeanneAdil said:

he said he was a captain

 

and this is what is said on

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/other-visa-categories/crewmember-visa.html

Travel purposes which require Crewmember (D) Visas - Examples:

 

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

We all work on B1/B2 visas on private yachts. Been doing it for 20 years and nothing has changed. My question was about seeking advice on what to do about an administrative processing that last for one and a half year ? I did not ask advice on the type of visa I need, I already know that. It is nothing to do with commercial seafarers.

[SalishSea 17,818]

1 hour ago, Christelle830 said:

We all work on B1/B2 visas on private yachts. Been doing it for 20 years and nothing has changed. My question was about seeking advice on what to do about an administrative processing that last for one and a half year ? I did not ask advice on the type of visa I need, I already know that. It is nothing to do with commercial seafarers.

The point is that work (of any type) is not allowed on a B visa…..

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

1 hour ago, Christelle830 said:

We all work on B1/B2 visas on private yachts

To answer your question, administrative processing can be neither waived nor expedited.

Edited February 22 by Crazy Cat

[Boiler 45,467]

The visa is to get too and from the boat when it is docked in the US.

 

Wasn't Megs a Yacht Girl?

 

I am a bit old fashioned but do not recollect any male yacht crew called Christelle.

 

PS good answers require information

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

***Non-contributory comment removed***  @Christelle830, members are trying to help you***

Edited February 22 by Crazy Cat

[Christelle830 0]

27 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

To answer your question, administrative processing can be neither waived nor expedited.

[davidvs 337]

OP is correct.

 

Yacht crew are treated differently than commercial crew. If the ship they are working on is not a US flagged vessel, and not considered a commercial ship, B-1 is the correct visa.

 

f. (U) Yacht Crewmembers May be Classifiable as B-1 or D Crewmember:

(1) (U) In General:  Yacht crewmembers may provide services on board a recreational or commercial yacht.  Yacht crewmembers who will provide services on board a recreational vessel traveling to the United States are classifiable B-1.  Those who will provide services on board a commercial vessel and who meet the requirements under INA 101(a)(15)(D)(i) above are classifiable D. 

(a) (U) A recreational vessel is primarily used for pleasure by the owner or a guest of the owner.  Some private yacht owners maintain crews year-round even if the owners and/or the owner’s guests only use the yacht for periods of the year.   

(b) (U) A commercial vessel is primarily used for commercial purposes, such as for transporting passengers or cargo for payment or other consideration.   

 

https://fam.state.gov/fam/09FAM/09FAM040208.html#:~:text=Yacht crewmembers who will provide,i) above are classifiable D.