Maritime & Crew Visa Processing Services

We provide comprehensive support for maritime professionals, helping seafarers, cruise crew, and offshore personnel navigate the complexity of international transit procedures. Our integrated service covers document review, embassy appointment scheduling, and visa application management so you can focus on your upcoming work contract without departure issues.

What Is a C1/D Visa?

C1/D Visa is a combined nonimmigrant visa issued by the United States government specifically for seafarers and international crew members:

• C1 (Transit Visa): Permission for individuals to transit through the United States to reach a designated vessel or port of departure.
• D (Crew Visa): Permission for crew members to work aboard vessels operating in U.S. waters.

The combination into a C1/D Visa allows maritime personnel to land at a U.S. port, transit to their vessel, and carry out their official duties legally and on time.

Eligibility Requirements

To use our C1/D visa processing service, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Active Employment Contract: This service is exclusively for seafarers who already have an active work contract or an official Letter of Employment from a cruise line, shipping company, or registered manning agency. Job seekers or individuals without an official contract cannot apply for a C1/D visa.
• Official Crew Role: You must serve in an operational, maintenance, or service capacity on board a vessel (such as officers, deckhands, engineers, hospitality staff, or culinary teams).
• Transit & Return Intent: You must enter the U.S. solely to join the vessel or perform crew duties, and be prepared to leave U.S. territory within the maximum transit period of 29 days.

Required Documents

Before submitting the application, our team will review and verify the completeness of the following documents:

• Valid Passport: Your passport must remain valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay.
• Official Work Contract: A work contract or offer letter signed by the shipping company or manning agency.
• Guarantee Letter / Vessel Joining Letter: An official letter stating the vessel name, port of departure, embarkation date, and contract duration.
• Seaman’s Book / CDC: Continuous Discharge Certificate or official seafarer identity document, if available.
• DS-160 Confirmation Page: Proof of completion of the U.S. Nonimmigrant Visa application form.
• Standard Passport Photo: One recent 5x5 cm (2x2 inch) color photo, taken within the last 6 months, with a white background.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Contract & Document Verification
   We perform a thorough review of your active work contract, seaman’s book, and guarantee letter (joining letter) to ensure all documents comply with regulations before the application begins.

2. DS-160 Form Completion & Data Entry
   Our team helps complete and submit the U.S. Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160) accurately, ensuring vessel details and employment information match your official documents.

3. Fee Payment & Consulate Scheduling
   We handle the visa fee payment (MRV fee) and secure the earliest available interview slot at the designated U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

4. Interview Briefing & Document Preparation
   You will receive a neatly organized application file along with a dedicated interview briefing on the questions commonly asked by consular officers.

5. Attend the Embassy Interview
   You attend your scheduled consular appointment with the verified document set for the final interview with the consular officer.

6. Tracking & Passport Collection
   After visa approval, we monitor your application status until the passport with the visa stamp is safely returned to you or your manning agency, ready for departure.