Visa for USA, intracoastal etc, where to start?

[BurnitBlue]

Very different to the advice I was given. I have an 'indefinite' multiple-entry visa in an old passport but was told it now expires with the passport and has to be replaced. (That was early in 2001 i.e. shortly before 9/11). I'd be surprised to hear they had relaxed the rules since then.

I understand that Brits visiting the USA can get a visa waiver if arriving by plane/ship but definitely need a visabefore arriving at any US port by yacht.

Of course things may have changed so don't take any of that as definitive.

I also had multiple entry B2 visa which carried over to a new passport. All that changed after 9/11 when ALL B2 visas even in a valid passport were cancelled.

A new B2 Visa for each passport became necessary. Visa waiver was only valid with what was then the new bio passport. I had just obtained a new old style passport so I was effectively locked out of the USA.

To complete the story, it was mandatory (for me) to get a new B2 visa from the US consulate in Stockholm after 9/11. Paranoid rules were immediately introduced which meant that to get inside the consulate I had to wait in a queue outside in a freezing Swedish winter until called. No bags, briefcases, laptops allowed, and furthermore, because of the cold weather and standing out in the freezing wind, clothes, hats, scarves had to be removed to get passed the door for a search.

Most folk by now must already have a bio passport so visa waiver may be ok for Brits. If I recall there was an exception to a Visa if the traveller was over 78 years of age.

 

[TQA]

You must have the B1/B2 visa if you arrive on a private yacht. The old multiple rentry visa is cancelled even though it says indefinite.

Acquiring a visa is not a gimmee. You have to prove things like adequate funds and links back to your home country. I have come across several instances of people who had their applications rejected more than once. As others have said waiting to the Bahamas to apply is a very bad idea.

The visa does not guarantee entry to the USA all it does is get you an interview with the immigration officer. If the officer is unhappy with your responses to his/her questions you may be refused entry and if that happens your passport may be returned to you with that expensive and hard won visa stamped cancelled I know of two occasions when this has happened. In both cases the people concerned had property in the USA.

 

[Ashman]

We are Barbados and we completed the online DS160 application form for a B2 visa two weeks ago. Had our visa interview at the Barbados US Embassy yesterday and visas and passports should be ready to collect on Monday. Not sure if its required for a UK application but we had to open an account at the YATRI:US DoS web site and paid for the visas on line whereas until recently you had to go to a ScotiaBank to pay ....it's now far easier. The young lady who interviewed us at the Embassy was very nice and helpful.
The application forms are a little daunting, you need to supply the address and contact details for where you are going. We contacted a US yacht club and gave their address on the application, you could give a marina address I guess.

 

[KellysEye]

One other thought the USA requires arriving yachts to have a holding tank the previous owner of our yacht fitted one because of that requirement.

 

[TimBennet]

One other thought the USA requires arriving yachts to have a holding tank the previous owner of our yacht fitted one because of that requirement.

Yes, you can get a MARPOL compliance certificate whilst in the UK and add it to your yacht paperwork.

Requirement is: "While in U.S. waters, foreign vessels having a valid International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate (ISPPC) issued by its flag Administration indicating that the installed sewage system complies with MARPOL Annex IV as amended by either resolution MEPC.159(55) or MEPC.2(VI) will be accepted by the U.S. Coast Guard as being in compliance with 33 CFR 159.7(b) or (c) provided the system is in operable condition."

I presume that the American Type 1 MSD would be compliant and are a lot easier to fit (and live with) than a holding tank.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

MARPOL was a new one to me, so been reading up.... the wording seems to suggest that it only applies to fishing vessels that are over 400GT or can carry 15 passengers or more.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/292322/chapter_15_as_at_30_sept_2013.doc

Not doubting the need for a holding tank, but it would appear that it isn't MARPOL driving that requirement (but no doubt, Tim is right in that a MARPOL certificate would give you a belt and braces cover!)