The D visa is a non-immigrant (temporary) visa for foreign national crewmembers on ships, cruise liners, and airplanes. Like the C visa, you must intend to depart the U.S. on the same vessel or on another vessel within 29 days. If you are a crewmember traveling to the U.S. to begin passage on a plane or ship, you would apply for the combination C-1/D (transit/crewmember) visa.
Who applies for a D visa?
D visas are used by crewmembers of air and sea vessels, so this includes
- Pilots
- Flight attendants
- Ship captains
- Engineers
- Technicians
- Deckhands
- Cruise ship staff: lifeguards, cooks, waiters, beauticians, on-board enterntainers, and other service staff
The D visa application process
The D visa requires the form DS-160, a photo, and an interview at the local consulate. Similar to the B Visa, the applicant must prove they have no intention of staying in the U.S., which requires proof of residence and ties to their home country. Applicants also need their employer to provide a letter stating they are employed with their company, their position, the name of the vessel or aircraft, points of exit and entry, and the purpose of travel.
Technically, D visas are work-based visas, and D visa holders are only allowed to work in the U.S. for vessel indicated on their visa. There are no extensions for D visas, you cannot change your status while on a D visa, and you cannot study with a D visa.
Each week, we look at a different non-immigrant visa by letter, starting with “A” visas. Our intention is to not only help people understand the depth and complexity of U.S. immigration, but also to bring awareness to the enormously diverse pool of immigrants that enter our country every year.