Everything you need to know about B1/B2 Visas for Superyacht crew.
Non-U.S. citizens planning to join a superyacht as crew will need a B1/B2 visa to enter American waters. The application process can seem complex, but Evolution has a team dedicated to this service and can provide guidance and information to simplify the process for you.
What is a B1/B2 visa?
This visa allows the holder to temporarily enter the U.S. either for business (B1) or tourism (B2) . Usually, yacht crew are issued a combination of B1/B2 visa that allows the holder to travel to the U.S. for periods of up to 6 months at time and can be valid up to a period of 10 years.
How to apply for a B1/B2 Visa?
The first thing you need to do is decide which US consulate or consular section of US embassy you will apply to. Here at Evolution, we work with US embassies throughout Europe and beyond and will discuss with you the best application embassy according to your personal situation.
You will need to complete the DS-160 , an online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form which will be submitted electronically. Remember to choose the embassy of application and B1/B2 visa (not CREWMEMBER visa, which is a different category and not relevant to yacht crew). As well as submitting the DS-160 form , applicants will be required to attend an interview with a consular official at the US embassy. During this interview, the official will review the application and use the information provided on the DS-160 and during the interview to determine the applicant’s eligibility for a B1/B2 visa.
As the application form can be tedious to complete , make sure that you have at least 2 hours to dedicate to it and remember that you can save it as you go along.
Once completed, save the DS-160 form, and send it to the Evolution team . Keep the information saved as you will need to print it and take it with you once we have secured your interview appointment.
Once we have received your completed DS-160 form, we will schedule an interview appointment with the US embassy and notify you once a date is confirmed. Note that all applicants will need to attend an in-person interview at the Embassy, whether this is your first visa or if you have been issued visas previousl y, the process is the same for all.
What to expect during the interview
At the interview, you will need to submit various documents , which we will go through with you in detail prior. We will guide you through the entire process according to your personal circumstances.
In the very rare cases that applications are denied , we can help you identify what’s missing and provide guidance on how to address these issues. Inadequate documentation or historical circumstances may cause doubt with the interviewer and often this can be rectified, and a new application submitted. During the 15 years that Evolution have been assisting crew in this process we have seen many situations and are well placed to be your guide throughout .
As part of the World League of Agents we have the privilege of connection with other agents around the globe and therefore have local access to local knowledge wherever your interview takes place, if needed.
Contact us if you have any doubts or questions about your B1/B2 type visa application .
Regardless of which part of the world you are cruising in , if you need help to get your B1/B2 visa , don’t hesitate to contact the team of Evolution Yacht Agents in b1b2@evolutionagents.com .
Evolution Yacht Agents is the leading-edge team of professionals dedicated to providing assured and quality support and services to superyachts, crew and yacht managers in Spanish waters.
A full range of superyacht specialized services includes charter license & legal advice, TPA (Vat exemption), customs & logistics operations, provisions & interior supplies, deck & engineering supplies and crew & VIP services.