United States•North America

Open

D — Crew Member

Tourist

At a Glance

Processing Time

1 day – 3 months

Estimated Cost

$185 USD

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

29 days

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

No dependents

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Official Information

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$51,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Crew member serving on board a vessel or aircraft in the United States.

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Cost Breakdown

MRV (Machine Readable Visa) fee$185 USD

Reciprocity issuance fee—

Total$185 USD

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

29 days

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Serve in good faith in a capacity required for normal operation of a commercial sea vessel or international airline

Intend to land in the US temporarily and solely in pursuit of crewmember duties

Intend to depart on the vessel/aircraft arrived on, or another qualifying vessel/aircraft

Valid passport (6+ months validity recommended)

Not a private yacht crew member, dry dock repair worker, or temporary fishing vessel worker (generally non-qualifying)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

DS-160 confirmation page

MRV fee payment receipt

Passport-style photograph

Employer letter confirming crewmember role and vessel/airline assignment

Evidence of vessel schedule or shipping documents showing intent to depart

Evidence of onward travel if transiting to join a vessel (C-1/D combination may be needed)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

No annual quota or numerical cap — unlimited issuance
No employer petition (I-129) required — self-petitioned via DS-160
Multiple-entry visa valid up to 10 years (subject to reciprocity by nationality)
Covers a wide range of maritime and aviation roles (captain, engineer, pilot, flight attendant, deckhand, etc.)
C-1/D combination visa available for those also transiting the US

Worth Knowing

Maximum stay is only 29 days — must depart aboard a qualifying vessel or aircraft
Work authorization is strictly limited to crewing duties on the designated vessel/aircraft
Crewmembers are barred from adjusting status to lawful permanent resident inside the US (INA 245(c))
No dual intent — applicants must demonstrate nonimmigrant intent (INA 214(b) presumption applies)
Private yacht crew, dry dock repair workers, and most fishing vessel crew are not qualifying for the D visa
Issuance fee varies by nationality per DOS reciprocity schedules in addition to the base MRV fee
D-3 sub-classification (lightering/ship-to-ship liquid cargo transfer) allows 180-day stay, created September 2024

Application Process

Complete Form DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application) at ceac.state.gov

Pay the $185 MRV fee

Schedule a consular interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate

Gather required supporting documents

Attend the consular interview

Await visa issuance decision

Application Forms

DS-160

Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application

Fill online

Verified Claims (35)

Last verified Jul 2, 2026

Application Steps

Complete Form DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application) at ceac.state.gov; Pay the $185 MRV fee;…

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Blockers

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Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$51,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

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Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Serve in good faith in a capacity required for normal operation of a commercial sea vessel or international airline

Intend to land in the US temporarily and solely in pursuit of crewmember duties

Intend to depart on the vessel/aircraft arrived on, or another qualifying vessel/aircraft

Valid passport (6+ months validity recommended)

Not a private yacht crew member, dry dock repair worker, or temporary fishing vessel worker (generally non-qualifying)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

DS-160 confirmation page

MRV fee payment receipt

Passport-style photograph

Employer letter confirming crewmember role and vessel/airline assignment

Evidence of vessel schedule or shipping documents showing intent to depart

Evidence of onward travel if transiting to join a vessel (C-1/D combination may be needed)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

No annual quota or numerical cap — unlimited issuance
No employer petition (I-129) required — self-petitioned via DS-160
Multiple-entry visa valid up to 10 years (subject to reciprocity by nationality)
Covers a wide range of maritime and aviation roles (captain, engineer, pilot, flight attendant, deckhand, etc.)
C-1/D combination visa available for those also transiting the US

Worth Knowing

Maximum stay is only 29 days — must depart aboard a qualifying vessel or aircraft
Work authorization is strictly limited to crewing duties on the designated vessel/aircraft
Crewmembers are barred from adjusting status to lawful permanent resident inside the US (INA 245(c))
No dual intent — applicants must demonstrate nonimmigrant intent (INA 214(b) presumption applies)
Private yacht crew, dry dock repair workers, and most fishing vessel crew are not qualifying for the D visa
Issuance fee varies by nationality per DOS reciprocity schedules in addition to the base MRV fee
D-3 sub-classification (lightering/ship-to-ship liquid cargo transfer) allows 180-day stay, created September 2024