C1/D Visas

C1/D visas –Transit and crewmembers

The C1/D transit/crewmember visa is a combination of two visas for those who have to board a ship or an airplane as crew members for normal operations and services, and also require transiting the U.S. to get to the ship or the aircraft they will join. The consular section will issue a combined C1/D visa if the reciprocal program of the applicant’s country of nationality allows.

Examples of personnel who can apply for such a visa are:

  • 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

Application procedures for C1/D visas

  1. Complete the DS-160 online application available at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/ and print the confirmation page (to bring to the interview);
  2. Create an account on this website: https://usvisa-info.com;
  3. Pay the non-refundable MRV fee online;
  4. Schedule an interview appointment with a consular office;
  5. Attend your interview appointment and bring all pertinent documentation:
    • Confirmation page of form DS-160
    • Valid passport
    • One passport size photo for each visa applicant, including infants (see the “Photo Requirements” webpage)
    • Employment contract and a letter (original) from the employer on letterhead identifying the crew member and describing in detail the nature and function of the position.
    • Documentation that demonstrates social, economic, and family ties to Italy. Such documents might include: original residence permit for foreigners, certificate of residence, family status, marriage certificate, contract of sale or lease of property, employment contract, last pay slips, tax returns, bank statement, etc…
  6. If approved, the visa is issued within a week. The passport will be then returned to DHL according to the option you select through your account online (home delivery or pick up at a designated DHL location)
  7. If the visa is denied, your passport will be returned to you at the conclusion of the interview, along with a letter explaining the reasons for the visa refusal