Transit/Ship Crew Visa

On this page:

FAQ

Overview

Transit (C visa)

A citizen of a foreign country traveling in immediate and continuous transit through the United States en route to a foreign destination requires a valid transit visa. Exceptions to this requirement include those travelers eligible to transit the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program or travelers who are nationals of a country which has an agreement with the United States allowing their citizens to travel to the United States without visas.

If the traveler seeks layover privileges for purposes other than for transit through the United States, such as to visit friends or for sightseeing, the applicant will have to qualify for and obtain the type of visa required for that purpose, such as a B-2 visa.

Crew (D visa)

A crew member serving onboard a sea vessel or aircraft in the United States needs a crew visa. Crew members of an aircraft or ship that will be transiting through the United States or its waters generally use a combination transit/crew visa (C-1/D). However, in some cases, individuals may only require the D visa.

Crew members who work aboard vessels within the Outer Continental Shelf may qualify for a modified B-1 visa in lieu of a crew visa.

Crew members who will be entering the United States during time-off between flights or cruises should also obtain a B-1/B-2 visa to use during these personal/vacation days. Applicants applying simultaneously for both a C-1/D and a B-1/B-2 visa pay only one visa application fee.

Qualifications

To apply for a transit visa, you must show:

  • Intent to pass in immediate and continuous transit through the United States.
  • A common carrier ticket or other evidence of transportation arrangements to your destination.
  • Sufficient funds to carry out the purpose of your transit journey.
  • Permission to enter another country upon departure from the United States.

To apply for other C, D or C-1/D visas, you must demonstrate to a consular officer that:

  • The purpose of your trip is to enter the United States solely for transit or crew purposes.
  • You do not intend to be paid by a U.S. source while in the United States, unless you have been granted proper approval for a temporary work visa.
  • You plan to stay for a specific, limited period of time.
  • You have evidence of funds to cover all expenses while in the United States.

Application Items

To apply for a transit or crew member visa, you must submit the following:

  • An Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160). Visit the DS-160 web page for more information about the DS-160.
  • A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person desiring a visa must submit an application.
  • A receipt showing payment of your US$160 non-refundable nonimmigrant visa application processing fee paid in local currency. This web page has more information about paying this fee. If a visa is issued, there may be an additional visa issuance reciprocity fee, depending on your nationality. The Department of State's website can help you find out if you must pay a visa issuance reciprocity fee and what the fee amount is.
  • If applicable, a seaman's book valid beyond the expiration date of your employment contract and all prior seamen's books. Crew members must submit an official report of loss if they are unable to submit the book.

In addition to these items, you must present an interview appointment letter confirming that you booked an appointment through this service. You may also bring whatever supporting documents you believe support the information provided to the consular officer.

How to Apply

Step 1

Determine your visa type by reading Common Nonimmigrant Visas. Each visa type explains the qualifications and application items. Choose the visa type that applies to your situation.

Be sure to also review the Visa Waiver Program. If your country participates in the Visa Waiver Program, you do not need to apply for a visa if you are traveling for business or pleasure and will only be staying in the Unites States for 90 days or less.

Step 2

The next step is to complete the DS-160 Form. Be sure to read the Guidelines for Completing the DS-160 Form carefully. All information must be correct and accurate. Once the form is submitted, you cannot make any changes. If you need assistance, please consult an immigration lawyer or translator. The call center cannot help you complete your DS-160. You will need your DS-160 number in step 5 to book your appointment.

Step 3

Visit www.ustraveldocs.com/do to create a profile with your biographical data and information relevant to the visa class for which you are applying. As you go through the process you will be able to select your visa type, enter personal data, add dependents, and select your document delivery location. After completing your profile, you will be directed a confirmation page that lists the visa fee amount due. If you are applying with family members, you will be able to group your profiles and see the total amount due for the family. Please print this page and take it to Banco Popular in order to pay the application fee.

Step 4

Now that you have completed the DS-160 and your online profile, you must pay the application fee. The visa fee page lists the visa types and correlating fee in U.S. dollars and local currency, Payments can only be made in local currency (Dominican pesos) at the current rate of exchange. You can pay the fee at any Banco Popular Dominicano location. More information about payment options is here. To find a Banco Popular Dominicano branch, click here.

Step 5

After paying the application fee at the bank, return to www.ustraveldocs.com/do and sign in to your profile. Navigate to Schedule Appointment and answer the questions regarding your previous visa, if any. It is important to answer the questions carefully and truthfully; these questions will determine whether you need appointments at both the Embassy and Visa Application Center (VAC), an appointment at the VAC only, or if you qualify for mail-in service in lieu of an appointment.

The majority of applicants must program two appointments: one at the Visa Application Center (VAC) and another at the Embassy.

  • First, schedule your appointment at the Embassy.
  • Second, schedule your appointment at the Visa Application Center to take your photograph and fingerprints. This appointment should be completed at least one day before your interview at the Embassy, although same-day appointments may be available for applicants from remote areas.

Once you are in the system, you will see your dashboard.

Click on Schedule Appointment on the left-hand side menu.

This will start the process for scheduling your appointment. You will need three items to schedule your appointment:

  1. Your passport number.
  2. The receipt number from your Visa Fee receipt. Click here if you need help finding this number.
  3. The ten (10) digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page.
Step 6

On the date of your appointment at the Visa Application Center (VAC) you will need:

  • A passport with validity at least six months beyond the time you will stay in United States (unless other agreements establish exceptions to this policy). If more than one person is included in the passport, each person who needs a visa must submit an application.
  • Confirmation sheet from the DS-160.
  • If the applicant is younger than 8 years and is not attending the interview, a photograph meeting the Department of State´s requirements must also be submitted. See Photographs and Digital Fingerprints for more information.
Step 7

After your appointment at the VAC to take your fingerprints and photograph, you will need to attend an interview at the U.S. Embassy. Visit the U.S. Embassy on the date and time of your visa interview, arriving no more than 15 minutes before your scheduled interview time. You should bring:

  • Confirmation sheet for the appointment
  • Confirmation sheet for the DS-160
  • Your current passport with a barcode added at the VAC and previous passports
  • Any documents that support you application, depending on the type of visa solicited

The U.S. Embassy will not receive incomplete applications.

ATTENTION! Applicants ages 8 and younger do not need to attend the VAC and Embassy appointments. Only the parents or legal guardians of these applicants are required to be present for the VAC and Embassy appointments.

If your visa is approved, your visa will be ready for pick-up at the Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE) location you selected.

Supporting Documents

Supporting documents are only one of many factors a consular officer will consider in your interview. Consular officers look at each application individually and consider professional, social, cultural and other factors during adjudication. Consular officers may look at your specific intentions, family situation, and your long-range plans and prospects within your country of residence. Each case is examined individually and is accorded every consideration under the law.

Although supporting documents may assist you in your interview, consular officers rely primarily on the interview to determine your eligibility for a visa. In other words, supporting documents are voluntary and of secondary importance.

Caution: Do not present false documents. Fraud or misrepresentation can result in permanent visa ineligibility. If confidentiality is a concern, you should bring your documents to the U.S. Embassy in a sealed envelope. Applicants should unseal the envelope at the interview window and hand the document to the consular officer. The U.S. Embassy will not make your information available to anyone and will respect the confidentiality of your information.

You should bring the following documents to your interview:

  • Current proof of income, tax payments, property or business ownership, or assets.
  • A letter from your employer detailing your position, salary, how long you have been employed, any authorized vacation and the business purpose, if any, of your U.S. trip.
  • Where appropriate, an itinerary and/or other information about your planned trip. (This can be tentative.)
  • Bank savings account books or other evidence of liquid assets that indicate the balance in your accounts and account activity.
  • Real estate lease or deeds.
  • For crew: a letter from your company's headquarters and/or your seamen's book.

More Information

For more information about transit visas and visas for crew members, visit the Department of State's website.