Guide to U. S. Entry

Before Arrival
Step 1

Visas and Passports
Whether arriving with passengers, owners, or crew, EVERYONE entering the United States is required to have a valid Passport.

Foreign crew must have a valid B1/B2 for the US, specific to the vessel they are entering and employed upon, in addition to a valid Passport (not due to expire before the vessel is due to leave). Generally, Embassies do not like to issue visas to applicants who are not a resident of the country where the Embassy is located, as they don’t feel they have enough knowledge of the applicant’s history. So, it’s best if the application is made in their home country. If they don’t have a Visa, they must have an I-94. A Visa Waiver will NOT allow a non-US citizen or Legal Resident entry except by commercial carrier (airline).

To obtain a US Visa, send your crew member to a US Embassy with a letter of employment on yacht letterhead stating:

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