Cruising Permit for USA?

[john_morris_uk]

I’ve just been reading a message on the cruising Association Atlantic crossers 2022/3 that one of the group has entered USA with an Esta Visa (from flying in and out) which was not a problem, but the officials are asking about a US cruising permit and some sort of Decal for the boat from the British government. Neither of these are anything I’ve heard of for the USA. Does anybody know anything about taking a yacht through American waters? The last time I sailed in American waters was on a service boat where these regulations are apply. Apologies if I don’t reply immediately as we might be going out of range. We’ve just set sail from Barbados towards Carriacou

 

[Stingo]

My bet is that www.noonsite.com then select USA, would be a more reliable source for such info.

Carricou is wonderful, you lucky buggers. Enjoy!

 

[Stingo]

Noonsite | USA

 

[AndrewB]

For the current rules regarding a US cruising licence for a foreign flagged yacht, see: CBP Customer Service. There is a helpline if you have further questions.

 

[Bajansailor]

I remember it used to be such that if you arrived by sea, you would still need a 'proper' visa from a US Embassy, even if you have (eg) a British passport, which allows you to fly into the the USA with only an ESTA visa (applied for online).

Has this changed? I had a look through AndrewB's link above, but I couldn't see if it had a requirement for visas as such for yachties.

 

[AndrewB]

I remember it used to be such that if you arrived by sea, you would still need a 'proper' visa from a US Embassy, even if you have (eg) a British passport, which allows you to fly into the the USA with only an ESTA visa (applied for online).

Has this changed? I had a look through AndrewB's link above, but I couldn't see if it had a requirement for visas as such for yachties.

My link above covers the requirement for the yacht, which was the OP's question.

For people, it is still the case that foreign nationals arriving by yacht, other than Canadians, need a visitor visa B1/B2 in advance (see the Noonsite advice). As the OP says, it isn't necessary if joining a yacht in the US and you arrive there via the visa waiver scheme. (Incidentally not all US embassy staff seem to appreciate the distinction).

 

[Bajansailor]

@AndrewB thanks for this - I enjoyed a very nice evening on board Serendipity yesterday, and I forgot to ask then if her crew have the B1/B2 visas.
They are currently rolling merrily downwind towards Carriacou, with a good 20 knots behind them.

Many visiting yachts have applied for their visas in the past at the American Embassy here - and I think that we are pretty much the only island in the Eastern Caribbean where it is possible to do this.
I remember some years ago taking some visiting sailors on one of our Sunday afternoon National Trust hikes. There was a young lady from the US Embassy on this hike, and it turned out that she was one of the consular officers responsible for issuing B1/B2 visas. Needless to say my visitors had a good chat with her about the procedures (as none had visas - they had been told most emphatically before crossing the pond that visas were not required).

These folk all trooped off to visit the US Embassy the following day (it was still located in the town centre then - now it is on the outskirts, in a huge fortress like building). I think that they had been told to ask for the young lady when they got there, and she very promptly approved their visas, as she had already effectively 'interviewed' them on the hike the day before.

The word spread around the anchorage in Carlisle bay, and there were always groups of sailors going on the Sunday afternoon hikes for the rest of the winter season, keen to have their interviews in advance, as this young lady was a keen hiker who always turned up every Sunday.

 

[Neeves]

@AndrewB thanks for this - I enjoyed a very nice evening on board Serendipity yesterday, and I forgot to ask then if her crew have the B1/B2 visas.
They are currently rolling merrily downwind towards Carriacou, with a good 20 knots behind them.

Many visiting yachts have applied for their visas in the past at the American Embassy here - and I think that we are pretty much the only island in the Eastern Caribbean where it is possible to do this.
I remember some years ago taking some visiting sailors on one of our Sunday afternoon National Trust hikes. There was a young lady from the US Embassy on this hike, and it turned out that she was one of the consular officers responsible for issuing B1/B2 visas. Needless to say my visitors had a good chat with her about the procedures (as none had visas - they had been told most emphatically before crossing the pond that visas were not required).

These folk all trooped off to visit the US Embassy the following day (it was still located in the town centre then - now it is on the outskirts, in a huge fortress like building). I think that they had been told to ask for the young lady when they got there, and she very promptly approved their visas, as she had already effectively 'interviewed' them on the hike the day before.

The word spread around the anchorage in Carlisle bay, and there were always groups of sailors going on the Sunday evening hikes for the rest of the winter season, keen to have their interviews in advance, as this young lady was a keen hiker who always turned up every Sunday.

How else, or where else (other than YBW), can you find information like this.

Amazing and invaluable (until the young lady is transferred).

Jonathan

 

[Stingo]

... and I think that we are pretty much the only island in the Eastern Caribbean where it is possible to do this.

I got my B1/B2 in Trinidad at the US Embassy there, but this was about eight years back. Thing may have changed since then.

 

[Motor_Sailor]

You will need a B1/B2 to enter the US by yacht. Recently people have managed to obtained them in a reasonable time in Trinidad, Barbados and Nassau, Bahamas. You can't get one 'on arrival' in the US.
Remember the US Virgin Isles will also have visa requirements. (The Noonsite page seems to be very comprehensive for both yacht and crew requirements Noonsite | USA )

Technically, there has always been a requirement to have a cruising permit and report your movements when cruising the US. Before 9/11 it was almost unheard of to have anyone enforce this, but things have got progressively tighter these days.

Make sure you clear out of the States properly. It's a real pain at a later date proving you aren't still there which is the assumption if you don't complete all the 'paperwork' on leaving.

 

[JaninaofDorset]

think i will just steer around usa waters

 

[john_morris_uk]

Thanks for all the comments. We’re going to try and sort out our B1 B2 visas asap.

 

[Bajansailor]

Thanks for all the comments. We’re going to try and sort out our B1 B2 visas asap.

Are you going to come back here to do this,
https://bb.usembassy.gov/visas/
Or maybe go to Trinidad?
https://tt.usembassy.gov/visas/

 

[john_morris_uk]

Not sure

Are you going to come back here to do this,
https://bb.usembassy.gov/visas/
Or maybe go to Trinidad?
https://tt.usembassy.gov/visas/

not sure. We might try at the US Embassy in London when we’re home, or we could try in Nassau in the Bahamas if I swallow hard and pay the $300 cruising permit fee.

 

[veshengro]

" You can't get one 'on arrival' in the US. "

Just to add to the above. Back in 2007/8 I had a US Cruising permit which I obtained at the US Embassy in London. I think a B2 form was one of a number I had filled in, together with other forms giving personal information, employment, previous visits to the US etc: and which I had submitted some weeks earlier.
Five hours at the Embassy in a large communal waiting room before being called up to what reminded me of an old fashioned Train Station Ticket Office window, where I was interviewed through a glass partition.
They were extremely busy that day and although a long winded process I had no difficulty in obtaining a permit.

Months later I sailed into San Juan, Puerto Rico, in the late afternoon. I was single handed and very very tired. Up the Canal past the big cruise ships, I anchored in what I think was called the Town Anchorage, and still flying Q I decided that as it was so late in the day I would go ashore in the morning and sort out Customs etc:


09.00 hrs next morning I rowed ashore and presented myself to the US Authorities who promptly went beserk and threatened to lock me up as an illegal Alien. I was saved by the fact that I had not ventured ashore after office hours, that I had a US cruising permit from the London Embassy which seemed to impress them..and also that I was single handed, so after a lecture about floating in US waters without telling them, they became friendly and allowed me to stay.
Things my have calmed down now but at that time they were extremely jumpy about due process before going anywhere near US Territory.

 

[sailingmartin]

We might try at the US Embassy in London when we’re home

You may want to allow a bit of time or apply before you get home as there is usually a longish lead time. It took a few weeks to renew mine last year and I didn’t need a personal interview as it was a renewal. The process is quite complicated.

 

[sailingmartin]

PS. It cost me £136 but the visa does last for 10 years! When arriving in the US you will need a cruising permit (nominal cost) so you don’t have to check in at every port. On moving between states you have to ring a designated number - which of course is very rarely answered. However, East Coast US is a great cruisin ground from Florida to Maine - try to stay out of marinas as they are very expensive - absolute minimum of $2/3 per foot (not metre) plus electricity.

 

[sailingmartin]

Sorry to go on but you may want to look here: .gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wait-times.html
Looks like a 63 day wait for an appointment in London, 100 days in Trinidad but only eight in Barbados.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Sorry to go on but you may want to look here: .gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wait-times.html
Looks like a 63 day wait for an appointment in London, 100 days in Trinidad but only eight in Barbados.

Agreed. We’ve looked and are about to go to a local internet hotspot to start filling online forms in. We’re back in the UK in late June so will try and get an interview at London US embassy sometime then. (Saves us a 100 mile beat to windward to Barbados!)

 

[john_morris_uk]

Online forms finally completed and pictures accepted by the US system. Fees paid and appointments made for the end of June in London US Embassy.
The online form system is EXTREMELY flaky and crashes of hangs frequently. Save your progress page by page is my advice.