Crew Members/Transit

What is a C-1/D visa?

C-1/D visas are for employees of airlines, cruise lines and cargo companies who intend to travel to the United States to join a vessel or aircraft, or enter and leave the United States for short trips as part of their responsibilities as crew members. 

Please see 9 FAM 41.41 and 9 FAM 41.71 for more information regarding C-1/D visas.

Specific Requirements for a C-1/D visa

Applicants who apply for a C-1/D visa must be actually working for an airline, cruise line or cargo company, or be employees of an airline, cruise line or cargo company at the time of their arrival in the United States.

Maritime Companies Registration

All maritime companies who request C1/D visas for their employees are welcome to participate in the Maritime Companies Registration program maintained by the Fraud Prevention Unit.

Your registration enables the Consular Section to work more efficiently with qualified applicants and prevents unscrupulous people from abusing this registration.
Companies interested in registering should submit the following documents:

• Company Registration/license and Articles of Incorporation.
• Copy of the Ships’ Registries.
• Names of company officers who can verify bona fides of employment.
• Letter on official letterhead, with original signatures of officers authorized to sign employment letters. If your company uses an online method to track letters sent on behalf of employees, please advise us of this system.
• Sample of employment contract.
• Principal ports visited by your ships.
• If you ship to Colombia, please tell us which companies you work with in Colombia and what items are principally shipped.
• Your point of contact in the United States.
• Your current address, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail address.

Our address is: U.S. Embassy, Bogota, Colombia, Fraud Prevention Unit – Consular Section Carrera 45 No. 24 B - 27, Bogota, D.C. or APO A.A. 34038.

If you require additional information about the registration of your company in our program, please send an e-mail to FPMBogota@hotmail.com.

How do I apply for a C-1/D visa?

Please see our How to Apply for a Visa page.

What documents are required in order to apply for a C-1/D visa?

Please see our Documents Required for Visa Application page.