The D -1 Visa, also commonly referred to as the Crewmen Visa, is a nonimmigrant visa for employees and crew members serving on commercial ships and air carriers. In order to be issued a D-1 Visa, the employee’s services must be considered necessary for daily operation of the vessel. Crew employees traveling to the United States to join a commercial ship or airplane also commonly apply for the D-1 Visa. The D-1 Visa is suitable for entertainers, pilots, flight attendants, scientists, electricians, waiters, and lifeguards who are employed on commercial vessels or airplanes.

As with all visas, limitations exist for the D-1 Visa. The ship’s homeport must be in the United States and D-1 visa holders are not able to change their status or extend their stay in the United States. Instead, they must re-apply after six months. The D-1 Visa expires when the visa holder departs the United States. The processing time for D-1 Visa is estimated to only require 3 business days; however, in order to ensure timely delivery of the visa, applicants are urged to file as soon as possible, and before any employment duties begin. D-1 Visa holders are not authorized to bring dependents into the United States or study or work outside of the scope of the visa.

Individuals applying for the D-1 Visa will need to submit:

• Completed D-1 visa application
• Photograph and fingerprints
• Proof that applicant is admissible under relevant immigration laws