Visa proceedure for USA?

S

sierraone44

Active Member
Joined
20 Feb 2006
Messages
64
Visit site
I have only ever visited the USA as a crew member of a merchant ship,where a seaman's discharge book was the only document required by their immigration service. Has anyone sailed their own vessel in US waters since 'Homeland Security' came into force? I plan to sail from the UK in May '06 but will not enter US waters until approx May '07. Any advice re where ( UK prior to sailing or US Embassy Portugal/Spain/ Canaries?? ) to obtain a visa would be appreciated. I'm concerned that any visa issued in the UK would have expired in the 12 months between issue and arrival in the US. Understand they are only 90 days now,not 10 years as pre 9/11/2001. Never been a tourist, can't decipher the Embassy website ( computer ability of a chocolate mouse!! ) any assistance from cruising folk who have actually done it,gratefully received.
 
US visas must be applied for in ones country of residence and the vessel must be in the country of registration at the time of application too. So do it before sailing away from the UK.
 
We got 10 year multiple entry visas in Trinidad in 2004 without much problem. Both us and the boat were in Trini at the time so not sure where the info Wavelet gives comes from. Obviously when you arrive is in the US is up to you, as long as it is within the 10 year period
 
Wavelet and sv hannah,thanks for that. The confusion arose because I listened to someone who said visas were for 90 days max. I'll haul myself up to London and stand in the queue I think,just in case they change the rules again before I get to the Caribbean!! Thank you.
 
The 90 day period is if you enter under the visa waiver program i.e. you *don't* need a visa for a stay of this length as long as you qualify (i.e. you're British). If you apply for and get a B2 visa this covers you for 10 years and I believe you can stay for up to 12 months maximum in any single visit. However, the duration of any individual stay is entirely at the discretion of the CIS (Customs and Immigration Services) officer at your point of entry... at least, that's how I understand it - usual caveats apply etc etc .... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
You need what is known as a B1/B2 visa. These last as long as 10 years (you must ask for this). If you are in London, it takes about six weeks (due to their back log). I've heard that it is done over the counter at the Embassey in the Azores in a little less than an hour. You will need two US style passport photos (50mm x 50mm).

The total cost of doing it through the London embassey was over £150 because of couriers etc.

Mine was done while my boat was in Trinidad, so again, I don't know where wavelet get's his information from.
 
It's worth sorting...way back in 94 we arrived at St Croix, after a hard sail from Venezuela and were told to leave, even put parole to leave papers in our passports! we were all British, British boat. Apparently we could have gone to one of the main towns in St John? USVI and tried to get a visa.....but thought we'd take our beer money somewhere else.

So if you must go to the US sort it with thier latest info from here before you go. I'd be kind of cautious of information from those that have been there as I would imagine their rules of engagement/impoundment/detention might change from time to time.

Have a fun trip.
 
We are doing the same thing with the same timetable. We got ours in November and for three of us the cost was 180 to the US, @20 for the courier and the cost of photos as our home printed ones were not good enough. Log on to the US embassy in London and read the instructions, then ring on their vastly expensive premium line to book your appointment. Payment has to be made in cash at any bank and you present the stamped counterfoils to the embassy.
Book earliest appointment and expect to spend @ 3 hours at the embassy-take refreshments
You have 2 interviews with maybe an hour between as you join another waiting list.
first with a brit who checks the documents and then with a US imigration official who wants to see that you have the means to support youself and a reason to return home, If you intend to live of rental income take mortgage statements etc to show you own the property. We found it very daunting until we got to the interviews where the people were delightful - as we were both ex parachutists most of the interview was about that.
 
A quick 'thank you' for all replies to the 'Visa for USA' question. The picture's a lot clearer now. Taking out a mortgage so that I can telephone the US Embassy in London!
 
[ QUOTE ]
...I believe you can stay for up to 12 months maximum in any single visit. However, the duration of any individual stay is entirely at the discretion of the CIS (Customs and Immigration Services) officer at your point of entry... etc .... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm a Brit. Permanent resident of The Bahamas with a home also in the US. The maximum stay permitted on entry with a visa is 6 months. The immigration officer usually stamps your passport for 6 months even if you tell him/her you want to stay only e.g. 2 weeks! Under the visa waiver programme, it's 90 days. You can get a 10 year visa issued in your country of domicile or residence. I recently got mine in the UK even though I am not resident there. I used to keep my UK (SSR) reg'd boat in the US but this was pre 9/11. I believe you'll need the usual cruising permit (you get this from US customs). I beleive entry must now be at a pre-designated point of entry. I think you have to radio ahead before setting foot on US soil with passport #'s and proceed IMMEDIATELY to Customs and Immig. upon arrival. Be prepared for a taxi ride to reach their offices from the marina! A little more research will turn up all the latest (and ever changing) requirements...
 
Pelicanpete : Re the last sentence...ever changing... that's what threw me. I'll double check ports of entry, latest regulations etc: next year. I'm bound for Puerto Rico prior to the US,so I should get the latest info there in 2007. Gracias.
 
Have a look at this site:

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/vwp.html

This is about the visa waiver programme that allows you 90 days stay as a tourist without a visa. I entered the US last year [May] without a return ticket and onward travel by yacht to the Caribbean. I had a letter delaring I was leaving the US on a certain day. Handed the green piece of carboard they gave me in at Key West. No problems.
I intend sailing to the US in June this year and will arrive without a visa under the VWP and will exit a few days later. I will need to pay a $6 fee I understand on entry.
You will be required to have your retina scanned and your index finger fingerprints will be taken on arrival in the US. Other than that the Immigration people are very understanding of odd travel arrangements and seem to be aware that any form of tourism is good - so not too many obstacles should be placed in the way.
I should declare that while I am a UK resident, I travel under an Australian passport. Australia has a similar arrangement as the UK with the US in regards to the Visa Waiver Programme. The key issue here though is how long you intend to stay, if it is less than 90 days no problem.
 
Glayva, got it thanks. I need the 10 year visa as the plan is to get into the Intra Coastal Waterway (ICW) and do what the locals call "The Loop" or "Great Circle" !!! (honestly) North up to the Great Lakes then South down the Missouri/ Mississippi. I appreciate that I will have to leave US territory and re-enter after a certain period to comply with their regulations, so a little exploring on the Canadian shore is built into the voyage plan. Only ever used my seamans book to travel before so this is all new to me,but grateful for all the help.
 
Glayva,
You will be in big trouble if you arrive on a yacht without a visa - the VWP only applies to people arriving on "participating carriers"; most airlines and some cruise lines. I have been crew arriving in NY when it turned out that one of the passengers (despite being specifically asked several times) turned out not to have a visa. We basically had to take her out of the country immediately and were lucky not to be fined.
 
If you are in the Virgin Islands, without a visa; the reccomended method is to leave your boat at Soper's Hole, get the ferry across to St John's. Here get your pasport stamped under the visa waiver, return and pick up your boat. As explained by the Homeland Security ladies in Charlotte Amilie.

www.noonsite.com is usually up to date on formalities.
 
Glayva, we will be very interested to hear your experiences. This is NOT the information I have been given by the US Embassy and I am in no doubt that I will need a B2 visa even to enter US waters for a nanosecond.
 
As BrickSailor rightly states, the 90 day visa waiver programme applies only if you arrive by 'designated carrier'. Not the Ark Royal (!) but British Airways, Continental, etc. I need a full visa because I fly from the Abaco, Bahamas to the states on small regional puddle-jumpers which are not afforded 'designated carrier' status. The same applies to arivals by private yacht or private 'plane; a full 10 year visa is required.
 
Glayver. You need to get your US papers in order BEFORE landing in Puerto Rico. For immigration purposes Puerto Rico is treated as if it is part of the US and you are subject to the same immigration requirements when landing there.
 
[ QUOTE ]
We got 10 year multiple entry visas in Trinidad in 2004 without much problem. Both us and the boat were in Trini at the time so not sure where the info Wavelet gives comes from. Obviously when you arrive is in the US is up to you, as long as it is within the 10 year period

[/ QUOTE ]Your experience was what I assumed it would be, but the US consulate in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria told me as a UK national I would have to apply in the UK and the boat would need to be shown to be there too. I did not go to the US in the end as I changed course to West Africa and a mighty fine trip it was too, best thing I ever did, no Walmart there /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

S
Amiable demands for money!
Replies
15
Views
837
penberth3
P

Share this page

Top