Crewmember application procedure

All crewmembers must make their request for a visa by contacting our call center: groupsREMOVE@REMOVEvisausa.pl).

Each crewmember needs to personally appear at the Consular Section on the appointed day and time of his/her scheduled interview.

All applicants will be required to have fingerscans taken of ten fingers.

All applicants who are issued visas will need to use the courier delivery service contracted by the Consulate to obtain their passports with the issued visas. The Consular Section usually can release the passport within three business days.

The following documents MUST be presented with the application:

1. Application forms DS-156 and supplemental DS-157 (see instructions below) containing the visa seeker's (not agency) home address and phone number, vessel name, specific job to be performed, date of travel, port of entry, prior issuance and/or denials of visas. Please make sure that all applications are properly completed, including numbers 39, 40 and 41 on DS 156, before submitting them, and that all necessary documentation is included! The pictures attached to the applications should be current (not older than 6 months) and on a light background (50mm x 50mm). ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SIGNED BY THE INDIVIDUAL APPLYING FOR A VISA, otherwise the visa will NOT be issued. If an agency's facilities have been used in any way, the agency name and stamp must appear on no. 40, regardless of who completed the application.
   DS 157: Per regulations, all crewmembers regardless of age and gender should fill out this form.
   Note: The DS-156 form must be filled out online here. The DS-156 form consists of 3 pages including a bar code page. The DS-157 form is located on our website under the option: Application download. This form may be completed by hand.
2. If available, a letter from the agent in the U.S., specifying the:
   • applicant's name, rank/position, anticipated date and location of arrival.
   • U.S. agent's full address, phones and fax numbers.
3. Copy of current employment contract.
4. Proof of qualifications: original diplomas and certificates.
5. International passport where the visa will be pasted, and Seaman's Identification Card (Seaman’s Book), including the upcoming job and specifications. If the passport or Seaman’s Book was recently issued, the sailor should present any old U.S. visas or other proof of his/her admittance to U.S. territory, if applicable (i.e. immigration stamp or landing permit) and proof of prior sailing experience.
6. The $131 application fee must be paid at the select ProCredit Bank branches. Non-Ukrainian citizens should expect to pay additional visa fee in U.S. dollars to the Consular Section cashier, if applicable.
7. The applicant should present at the time of the application a complete itinerary for the ship, on which he/she will serve.

Non-Sailor Capacity:

Those going to work on vessels in a non-sailor capacity (for example, singer, dancer, musician, bartender, waitress, etc) should present the documents mentioned above, together with documents certifying their profession.

Dependents of Sailors:

Dependents of sailors should follow our normal NIV interview procedures.

HOW TO REAPPLY FOR A CREWMEMBER VISA IF YOU ARE REFUSED A VISA

Crewmembers found ineligible for U.S. visas under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) should know that it is not a permanent ineligibility. If, in a subsequent application, an applicant is able to convince the consular officer that he/she has no intention of abandoning his/her residence overseas due to new evidence not presented during his/her original application, he/she may be issued a visa.

Please make sure that you have all of the necessary documents prior to submitting your application. Incomplete applications will result in application processing delays.

Please do NOT fax any documents to the Consular Section. If you have any questions regarding the sailor-visa application, please contact us at consularsREMOVE@REMOVEstate.gov.