D Crew Member Visa — United States

The D visa allows you into the United States as a working crewmember on a commercial sea vessel or international airline. It limits your stay to the time needed to perform your duties and depart on a vessel or aircraft.

Who uses this visa

You use the Crewmember (D) visa if you serve on board a commercial sea vessel or an international airline and need to enter the United States temporarily to carry out your job.

Eligible applicants include crew who:

• Work on commercial ships that dock at U.S. ports
• Serve on international flights that land in the United States
• Perform ship-to-ship liquid cargo transfers (D-3 classification)
• Conduct lightering activities in U.S. waters (D-3 classification)

You must plan to depart the United States on the same vessel or aircraft, or another one, within the allowed time.

If you need to transit through the United States to reach the vessel or aircraft where you'll work, you may apply for the combined C1/D transit/crewmember visa, which pairs the C-1 transit visa with the D crewmember classification. Whichever category you choose, your purpose of travel must match your crewmember duties, and you'll still need a valid passport for travel to the United States.

As part of the visa process handled by the U.S. Department of State, you complete Form DS-160 and provide details about your employer and the vessel or airline. You’ll also attend a visa interview and submit biometrics if required.

Scope and purpose

The D visa supports the normal operations of commercial vessels and international airlines. It doesn’t authorize you to live in the United States or look for other employment.

Your stay must directly relate to your assigned crew duties. You may enter the United States only to:

• Join your vessel or aircraft
• Continue service as a crewmember
• Perform approved cargo transfer or lightering operations (if issued D-3)
• Depart the United States as part of your crew assignment

You can’t use this visa for unrelated work. Authorization is strictly tied to your crew position and your specific vessel or airline.

At the port of entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) decides whether to admit you and for how long, based on your visa classification and assignment.

Typical durations and limits

Your permitted stay depends on your visa type and assignment.

It helps to separate two things that are easy to confuse. Your visa validity is how long the visa stamp in your passport can be used to seek entry — it may be valid for several years and allow multiple entries. Your admission period is how long CBP lets you stay on a given entry, recorded on Form I-95. For standard D crewmembers, CBP caps each admission at 29 days. That 29-day limit comes from the admission CBP grants at the border, not from the visa stamp itself.

So a multi-year D visa does not mean you can stay for years at a time. Each time you enter, you must depart within the period CBP grants — up to 29 days for a standard D admission — on the same vessel or another qualifying vessel or aircraft.

For a D-3 visa, you may remain in the United States for up to 180 days if you perform ship-to-ship cargo transfers or lightering activities.

You need to maintain a clear intent to leave the United States after completing your assignment. If your plans change, review official guidance from the U.S. Department of State before taking any action. Verify current stay and validity limits on the official Crewmember visa page.

The D crew member visa has no dependent or derivative category. Unlike many other U.S. visas, it does not let your spouse or children obtain a related "D" visa to accompany you. If your family wants to join you in the United States, each person must qualify on their own for a separate visa category, most commonly the B-2 visitor visa.

There is no derivative D visa

Holding a D visa creates no immigration benefit for your family. There is no dependent D classification, and a spouse or child cannot be added to your crewmember status. Any earlier guidance suggesting family members can obtain a "dependent" D visa is incorrect.

Instead, each family member must:

• Qualify independently for a visa category that matches their purpose of travel
• File their own application and meet every requirement for that category
• Show the nonimmigrant intent that category requires

For most families, the B-2 visitor visa is the relevant category for a temporary visit. Your family members cannot perform any services aboard the vessel or aircraft — a visitor visa does not authorize crew work of any kind.

How family members apply separately

Because there is no dependent D visa, a spouse or child follows the standard process for whatever category they qualify for. For a B-2 visitor visa, that means each person completes their own Form DS-160, pays the applicable fee, and attends a visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Each applicant must independently demonstrate the purpose of their trip, ties to their home country, and intent to depart the United States. Approval of your D visa has no bearing on whether their visitor visa is granted.

Travel documents for accompanying family

Every family member needs a passport valid for travel to the United States, generally valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay unless an exception applies. They bring that passport, their own DS-160 confirmation page, and any appointment confirmation to the interview.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) makes the final admission decision at the port of entry for each traveler, even after a visa has been issued.

You must pay a fixed visa application fee and plan for variable processing times. Timelines depend on the visa category and the U.S. embassy or consulate handling your case.

Application fees

You must pay the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee of $185 for a D visa crewmember application. This fee applies as of March 2026 and covers the review of your Form DS-160 and your visa interview scheduling through the U.S. Department of State.

Pay this fee before scheduling your interview. The fee is non‑refundable, even if the visa is refused.

If you apply for a combined C1/D (Transit/Crewmember) visa, the same $185 MRV fee applies. Confirm current fee amounts on the U.S. Department of State visa fees page before payment, as fees can change.

USCIS does not collect this visa application fee because USCIS does not issue D visas. The Department of State handles visa interviews and issuance, while U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) decides admission at the port of entry.

Typical processing windows

The processing times vary by visa category and location. For Crew and Transit (C, D, C1/D) visas, reported DS-160 processing time ranges from 0.5 to 14 months as of February 2026.

Other DS-160 categories show different ranges:

Actual timelines depend on local interview availability and administrative processing, and can fall outside the reported range shown above. Delays can occur if the consulate requires additional review before issuing your visa for work as a crewmember.

How to verify current timelines

You should confirm current wait times before submitting your DS-160. Processing estimates change frequently and differ by embassy or consulate.

Follow these steps:

1. Check the U.S. Department of State’s visa appointment wait time tool for your specific location.

2. Select the correct category: Crew and Transit (C, D, C1/D).

3. Review both interview wait times and any notes about administrative processing.

If your employer or vessel operator requires a start date for work, verify timelines early. Don’t rely on estimates from other visa categories or different countries. Use official Department of State sources for the most current figures.

You must follow strict operational and procedural rules when applying for a D visa crewmember classification. Errors in documentation, interview scheduling, or transit proof can delay or prevent visa issuance by the U.S. Department of State.

Operational and transit conditions

You must show that you will join a vessel or aircraft as part of your authorized work duties. If you are transiting to meet the vessel, you need clear evidence of that transit arrangement.

Bring documentation that confirms:

• Your assignment to a specific vessel or aircraft
• The location where you will board
• Your travel plans to reach that location

If you can’t demonstrate that you are traveling to join the vessel, the consular officer may refuse the visa.

Your D visa is tied to your role as a crewmember. It does not grant open-ended employment in the United States. You must limit your activities to the operational duties connected to the vessel or aircraft.

If you have questions about eligibility standards, review official guidance from the U.S. Department of State. USCIS does not issue D visas, but it governs certain immigration benefits related to status inside the United States.

Interview and scheduling rules

You must complete Form DS-160 accurately before scheduling your visa interview. The confirmation page connects your application to your appointment.

Pay close attention to two common issues:

• Photo upload failure in DS-160
• Scheduling at the wrong U.S. Embassy or Consulate

If your digital photo upload fails in the DS-160 system, you must bring a printed photo that meets the required specifications to your interview. Arriving without it can delay processing.

You must schedule your interview at the correct U.S. Embassy or Consulate based on your location and case requirements. An appointment at the wrong post can result in cancellation or rescheduling.

For current procedural details, consult the U.S. Department of State’s official instructions for nonimmigrant visa processing.

Procedural failures to avoid

Small mistakes often cause denials or delays. Focus on accuracy and documentation.

Before your interview:

1. Review your DS-160 confirmation page.

2. Confirm the correct embassy or consulate location.

3. Organize evidence that shows you will join your assigned vessel or aircraft.

You control most procedural errors. Careful preparation protects your timeline and your ability to begin work as scheduled.

A D visa does not offer the in-country renewal or extension that many other visas allow. As a crewmember, you generally cannot extend your stay or change your status inside the United States. When you need a new visa, you reapply abroad through a U.S. embassy or consulate using a new Form DS-160.

No extension of stay or change of status

D crewmembers are statutorily ineligible for an extension of stay or a change of status while in the United States, under 8 CFR 252.1(f). You cannot file with USCIS to stay longer as a crewmember or to switch into another nonimmigrant category from inside the country.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) admits you for a fixed, short period tied to your assignment (up to 29 days for a standard D admission). There is no mechanism to lengthen that admission once you are here. If your assignment or plans change, you must depart within your authorized period and handle any new travel through consular processing abroad.

Getting a new visa when yours expires

When your D visa expires or you need to travel again after it is no longer valid, you apply for a new visa the same way you applied the first time. You do not file a renewal form with USCIS, and there is no USCIS D-visa form to download.

To apply for a new D visa, you:

1. Complete a new Form DS-160 through the U.S. Department of State.

2. Pay the required visa application fee.

3. Schedule and attend a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, if required.

Some applicants may qualify for an interview waiver when reapplying, but that decision rests with the consular post. Confirm current procedures with the U.S. Department of State for the embassy or consulate handling your case.

Use official Department of State guidance

Because the D visa is a consular visa, rely on the U.S. Department of State for forms and instructions — not USCIS. The only form you need is the DS-160, completed online through the Department of State.

Before you apply again:

• Use the most current DS-160 in the official Department of State system
• Follow the DS-160 instructions published by the Department of State
• Answer every question fully and make sure your entries match your passport and employer details

Don’t rely on USCIS forms or third-party copies. Accurate, complete information supports your eligibility to continue working as a crewmember under D classification.

Your employer or vessel operator plays a direct supporting role in your D visa application. They don’t file a petition with USCIS — the D visa is not petition-based — but they must give you accurate details about your position and provide the crew employment letter and vessel or aircraft information you present during consular processing.

Information the employer or operator provides

Your employer or vessel operator must give you clear, verifiable details about your crewmember position and duties. You’ll need this information when completing Form DS-160, which the U.S. Department of State requires for visa processing.

At a minimum, your employer should provide:

• A crew employment letter confirming your position and assignment
• Name of the vessel or aircraft
• Type of vessel or aircraft
• Your job title and onboard duties
• Intended port of entry
• Expected date you’ll arrive in the United States to begin work

You need to enter this information accurately on your DS-160. Inconsistent or vague entries can slow down visa issuance.

The D visa is not petition-based. There is no Form I-129, no USCIS petition, and no approval notice involved. If any source tells you your employer must file Form I-129 with USCIS for a D visa, that guidance is wrong — the I-129 requirement applies to categories like H-1B or L-1, not to crewmembers.

Coordination with consular processes

Your employer doesn’t issue your visa. The U.S. Department of State controls visa interviews and issuance.

Your employer needs to coordinate timing so you can:

1. Complete and submit the DS-160

2. Schedule your visa interview

3. Attend the interview with accurate employment details and your crew employment letter

You’re responsible for the DS-160 and the interview. Your employer supports the process by making sure all employment-related information matches what you present at the consulate.

When employer paperwork matters

Employer documentation matters most when:

• A consular officer questions the legitimacy of your work assignment
• There are discrepancies between your DS-160 and your employer’s records
• You need to prove you are traveling to join a specific vessel or aircraft

Inaccurate job descriptions, incorrect vessel information, or a missing crew employment letter can lead to visa refusal. You need to confirm your employer’s records match your own entries.

Your ability to work in the United States depends on this alignment. Without proper employer documentation, the U.S. Department of State won’t issue the visa, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection will determine admission at the port of entry based on your crewmember classification.

Some D visa crewmember applications fail because of preventable errors. Small inconsistencies in your Form DS-160 or incomplete answers about your background can delay your ability to work or lead to denial.

When to Consult a Qualified Professional

You should consult a qualified immigration attorney if your application contains inconsistencies, prior refusals, or complex background issues. Even minor discrepancies between your passport and DS-160 can cause delays.

A professional is especially important if:

• You previously received a visa denial
• You submitted multiple DS-160 sessions with differing answers
• Your passport details changed during the application process
• You’re unsure how to answer security or background questions

Every answer must match your passport and supporting documents exactly. Dates of travel, spelling of your name, and employment details related to your work as a crewmember need to be consistent across all forms.

If your case involves communication with USCIS or coordination with your employer, legal guidance helps ensure all records align. Mistakes often happen when applicants assume small details don’t matter.

High-Complexity Situations

Certain situations require more than careful form preparation. You should seek help if your background includes prior immigration issues or incomplete disclosures.

Security and background questions on the DS-160 require full and accurate responses. Leaving sections blank or providing partial information can trigger additional review.

High-complexity cases often include:

• Prior visa refusals
• Past overstays or status violations
• Inconsistent employment history
• Multiple corrections to submitted DS-160 forms

Your work as a crewmember depends on smooth visa processing. Administrative delays can disrupt employment schedules and vessel assignments.

You must review every answer before submitting the DS-160. Once submitted, inconsistencies between sessions or with your passport create credibility concerns that are difficult to fix without structured legal support.

Preparing for RFEs or Denials

If a consular officer or USCIS issues a Request for Evidence (RFE), respond with precise and consistent documentation. Don’t submit new information that conflicts with your original DS-160.

Focus on:

1. Matching all personal data exactly to your passport

2. Addressing every requested item directly

3. Avoiding unnecessary explanations

An RFE often results from incomplete background answers or mismatched details. A denial may follow if discrepancies remain unresolved.

Before responding, compare your DS-160, passport, and supporting documents line by line. Small errors—such as incorrect travel dates—can undermine credibility.

If you receive a denial, review the written notice carefully and consult a qualified attorney before reapplying. Refiling without correcting inconsistencies increases the risk of another refusal and may affect your ability to obtain a D visa for future work.

You must complete the online application, upload a compliant photo, and attend an in-person interview. The U.S. Department of State manages visa interviews and issuance, while USCIS oversees immigration benefits within the United States.

Complete the DS-160 online

Submit Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, for a D crewmember visa. This form applies to all nonimmigrant visa categories.

Complete the DS-160 electronically and answer every question fully and accurately. The information you enter supports your eligibility to enter the United States for work as a crewmember.

After submission, print the DS-160 confirmation page. You’ll need to bring this page to your visa interview.

Key steps:

1. Access and complete Form DS-160 online.

2. Review all entries before final submission.

3. Submit the form electronically.

4. Print the confirmation page right after submitting.

If you have technical questions about the form, review instructions provided through the U.S. Department of State. For immigration benefit questions inside the United States, consult USCIS resources.

Photo and confirmation requirements

You must upload a photo while completing the DS-160. The image has to meet the required format specifications.

If the uploaded photo doesn’t meet technical standards, your application may not process correctly. Follow the photo guidelines provided during the DS-160 process.

Bring the following to your interview:

• Printed DS-160 confirmation page
• Any required photo if instructed during scheduling
• Any additional documents listed by the U.S. Department of State

The confirmation page proves you completed and submitted the required online application. Without it, the consular officer can’t process your case.

Schedule and attend the interview

After submitting the DS-160, schedule a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. The U.S. Department of State conducts all visa interviews and decides whether to issue the D visa.

Attend your appointment in person. Bring your DS-160 confirmation page and any required supporting documents.

During the interview, a consular officer will review your application and determine whether you qualify for a D crewmember visa to perform your work duties in the United States.

For current appointment procedures and any applicable fees, refer to the official guidance from the U.S. Department of State.

You must show that you’re a crewmember traveling to the United States to perform services on a vessel or aircraft and that you’ll depart after your assignment ends. You also need to properly complete the required online application and follow U.S. Department of State procedures for visa issuance.

Who qualifies to apply

You qualify for a D visa if you seek to enter the United States as a crewmember to perform work on board a vessel or aircraft. Your travel must relate directly to your duties as a crew member.

To meet the basic eligibility standard, you must:

• Intend to enter the United States to work in your capacity as a crewmember
• Have a role connected to the operation or service of a vessel or aircraft
• Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160)
• Apply through a U.S. embassy or consulate, as visa issuance is handled by the U.S. Department of State

You must complete Form DS-160 online before your interview. After submitting it, print and keep the confirmation page with the barcode.

Use this checklist to stay organized:

If you have questions about visa procedures or documentation, consult the U.S. Department of State. USCIS does not issue D visas.

Intent to depart and travel intent

You must demonstrate that you plan to depart the United States after completing your crewmember duties. The D visa does not authorize open-ended stays or employment outside your crew assignment.

Your purpose of travel must match your declared work as a crewmember. Your documentation and interview answers need to reflect that purpose.

Be prepared to show:

• That your entry relates to specific crewmember duties
• That your stay will be temporary
• That you will leave after your authorized period ends

A consular officer from the U.S. Department of State will evaluate your application and determine visa eligibility. Even with a valid visa, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) makes the final decision on admission at the port of entry.

Expert preparation tips

Complete Form DS-160 carefully and accurately. Inconsistent answers can delay processing or affect your eligibility.

Follow these steps to avoid common errors:

1. Save your application ID immediately after starting the DS-160.

2. Complete the form in one sitting when possible.

3. If needed, retrieve your saved application within 30 days.

4. Print and securely store the barcode confirmation page after submission.

Keep your answers consistent with your intended crew work. Don’t include information that conflicts with your travel purpose.

If you’re unsure about procedural requirements, verify instructions directly with the U.S. Department of State. For immigration benefits inside the United States, consult USCIS, but D visa issuance occurs through consular processing.

A D visa allows you to serve as a crewmember in the United States, but it doesn’t place you on a direct track to permanent residence. You need to understand the limits of this nonimmigrant category before making long-term immigration plans.

Crewmembers generally cannot adjust status in the U.S.

One restriction matters more than any other here: D crewmembers are generally barred from adjusting status inside the United States under INA 245(c). This bar applies even to marriage-based green cards, so marrying a U.S. citizen does not let a D crewmember file Form I-485 from within the country the way many other applicants can.

In practice, a D crewmember who becomes eligible for a green card usually has to pursue it through consular processing abroad rather than adjustment of status. Because these cases are legally complex, anyone weighing a permanent-residence path from D status should consult a qualified immigration attorney before filing anything.

Nonimmigrant vs immigrant status

A D visa places you in a nonimmigrant classification. You enter the United States for a specific, temporary purpose related to your crewmember duties and authorized work.

Permanent residence, by contrast, falls under immigrant status. Immigrant status allows you to live and work in the United States without the temporary restrictions that apply to D visa holders.

You must keep these differences clear. A D visa doesn’t automatically convert into immigrant status, and it doesn’t provide built-in immigrant benefits.

Does filing lead to permanent residence?

Submitting an application or filing related paperwork doesn’t guarantee approval. Immigration authorities review each case on its own merits.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) evaluates petitions and immigration benefits. The U.S. Department of State manages visa issuance through consular processing, including the Form DS-160 form.

Filing any form doesn’t by itself create eligibility for permanent residence. Approval depends on meeting all legal requirements for the specific immigrant category.

If you’re considering permanent residence, you must:

• Identify a qualifying immigrant category.
• Meet all eligibility criteria for that category.

You’ll also need to follow the correct filing process with USCIS or the Department of State. Wait for a formal decision before making plans to stay permanently.

Next steps after the decision

If your immigrant application is approved, follow the instructions in your approval notice. The Department of State issues an immigrant visa if you process abroad, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) determines admission at the port of entry.

If your filing is denied, the notice will explain why. Review it carefully and consider whether you can file again or pursue a different immigration option.

Don’t continue to work or remain in the United States beyond your authorized stay based on the assumption of approval. Status depends on formal authorization, not on a pending or previously filed application.

Small errors on your application can delay a D visa crewmember case or lead to refusal. Most issues involve photo compliance, selecting the correct visa category on the Form DS-160, and fully answering security questions.

Photo and document quality issues

A non-compliant visa photo is a frequent cause of avoidable delays. The U.S. Department of State sets strict photo requirements, and the consular officer reviews the image you submit with your DS-160.

You must follow the official photo specifications exactly. Don’t guess or reuse an old image.

Use this checklist before submitting:

• Photo meets U.S. Department of State size and format rules
• Image is clear, in focus, and properly exposed
• No cropping errors or digital alterations
• Background and composition follow official standards

If your photo fails review, the consulate may require a replacement before continuing your case. That pause can disrupt your scheduled work assignment or vessel reporting.

When in doubt, use a professional service or a validated photo tool that confirms compliance with Department of State standards.

Selecting the correct visa category

Choosing the wrong visa classification can result in refusal. The D visa is for crewmembers serving on a vessel or aircraft in the United States.

You select your visa category when completing Form DS-160. An incorrect selection signals that your purpose of travel doesn’t match your stated work duties.

Review your role carefully before submission. Your visa category must align with your actual position and travel purpose.

If you choose the wrong category, the consular officer may refuse the application and require a new DS-160. USCIS does not issue D visas; the U.S. Department of State handles visa issuance.

Confirm your employer’s documentation matches the category you select.

Completing security/background questions

Incomplete security answers often trigger delays or extra review. The DS-160 requires you to answer every background and security question.

Don’t leave any field blank.

Follow these rules:

• Answer every question fully and truthfully
• Enter “None” or “N/A” where appropriate
• Review all sections before electronically signing

An unanswered question can lead to requests for clarification or further administrative processing. That delay can affect your ability to report for work as scheduled.

Before submitting, review each page of the DS-160 carefully. Once you certify and submit the form, you confirm that all answers are complete and accurate.

You must present a valid passport, a complete Form DS-160 confirmation, and compliant passport-style photos. Errors or missing items delay your D visa interview and can disrupt your ability to work as a crewmember.

Passport and validity

Your passport must be valid and in good condition. It must accurately reflect your legal name and biographic details.

Check the following before your interview:

• Passport is signed, if signature is required.
• Biographic page is undamaged and legible.

No torn, loose, or altered pages. Personal data must match your DS-160 exactly.

If your passport will expire soon, renew it before scheduling or attending your interview. A passport that doesn’t meet validity standards can delay visa issuance by the U.S. Department of State.

Bring your current passport to the interview. If you hold more than one passport, verify which one you used when completing the DS-160 and bring that same document.

DS-160 confirmation and uploads

You must complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160) before scheduling your visa interview. The U.S. Department of State uses this form to process your D visa application.

After you submit the DS-160:

1. Save your confirmation page.

2. Print the confirmation page before leaving the CEAC system.

Upload the confirmation page with your visa application, if required by your post.

The confirmation page contains a barcode. Consular staff scan this barcode to retrieve your application. If you arrive without it, the consulate may delay or reschedule your interview.

Ensure all information on the DS-160 matches your passport and employment details related to your crewmember work. Inconsistent information can result in processing delays.

Passport-style photos

Prepare your passport-style photos before you begin the application process. Non-compliant photos commonly cause delays.

Your photos must:

• Meet U.S. visa photo specifications.
• Be recent.

They should clearly show your full face without obstruction.

Don’t submit photos with shadows, glare, or improper background. If your photo doesn’t meet Department of State standards, you may need to obtain new photos before your interview can proceed.

Bring physical copies if your consulate requires them, even if you uploaded a digital image with your DS-160. Verify specific photo submission rules with the U.S. Department of State instructions for your interview location.