I was one of the crew recruited for Eos Airlines and finished my training the day before they declared themselves bankrupt so I had to go through the joys of the American Embassay to get my visas sorted.
I had to have both due to the length of time I stayed there for the training course so I think as crew, you are required to have both but if you have a crew job, get a letter from your employer as the embassay will then know exactly what they need to issue to you.
Hi Would you be able to further clarify for me? The US embassy web site is not very user friendly.
If you have a Uk passport, the you can go into the US on the visa waiver scheme. If you are operating as crew, you have a D visa. Why would crew also need the B1 B2?
tashkie, there is no need for clarification....the US make the rules as to what you need to operate into the US of A as crew, and it has been pointed out correctly in a previous post.
In my understanding, and in very simplified terms... Due to the strict immigration laws in the US, and the frequency that crew (N.B. whether this is cabin crew, cruise ship crew or other) visit the US, they have to have Visas which link them to the company they work for...
B1/B2 : This visa is required by any crew that will be operating into and more importantly out of the US. If you have any length of layover and are not returning back on the vessel (whether it be Aircraft or Ship) the next time is leaves the country, this Visa permits you to operate out of the US.
C1/D : This visa entitles you to enter the country with the arrival of the vessel, and states you will be residing in the accommodation agreed on your visa application. However, the condition of this Visa is that you depart the US on the next sailing/flying of the vessel you arrived on, hence needing the B1/B2...
Aircraft rarely stay on the ground in the US awaiting the arrival of the same crew to return with it. Cruise ships often dock at least overnight, and the crew leave when the ship does, hence ship crew only require a C1/D.
Also just to add - a couple of my co-workers didnt have the B1/B2 and they made it very difficult for them when going through immigration, having to return to the end of the queue and complete additional paperwork etc.
Best bet is to apply via. the link I included previously and get a letter from your employer to support your application, that way you can't go wrong!
I am not sure about this visas explanation . In my company everybody, pilots and CC have C1/D visas only and we don´t always depart with the next available flight. We have layovers of several days due to different A/C types flown while there are daily flights, up to 6 on the same day to the same destination. And it was the same in the company I used to work before this one. Never had a problem whatsoever at immigration. Could be a matter of agreements between countries?
In America, immigration on a temporary basis through the B1 class, also known as a "Visitor for Business" visa, allows a candidate to enter the USA for a typical maximum duration of 6 months; however in most cases the total validity period of the B1 period is anywhere from 1 to 10 years during which time the bearer can make multiple trips to the United States. Whilst applicants are prohibited from working in the USA, the following business related activities are permitted: - An applicant from a foreign branch of a US company may migrate to the USA to consult with the company. - An applicant from a foreign-based company may come to the USA to manage sales/purchases and to negotiate contracts. - Candidates may conduct market research, attend conferences seminars or conventions. - Applicants may enter the US in order to make an investment or open a US branch of a foreign company. This extends to activities performed prior to starting a business, e.g. opening bank accounts and obtaining office space. - Applicants who are professional athletes and who will not be earning a salary in the USA may enter on a B1.
As examples of the wide variety of non-immigrant USA visas, the B2 tourist/visitor visa is not intended as a route to gaining lawful permanent residence in the USA through a Permanent Resident Card or US Green Card as it more commonly known. The B2 visa
In America, visas of this class are also referred to as "visitor for pleasure" visas, although in practice this visa service covers people entering the country for health reasons, visiting relatives, and to participate in short study courses as well as those entering as tourists. B-2 visas are typically granted for a period of 1 to 10 years, during which time the bearer is permitted to make multiple entries into the United States in order to pursue approved B2 visa activities (tourism, visiting family or friends, health reasons etc.). Each visit to the United States will be limited to a duration not exceeding six months and B2 visa holders are not entitled to employment rights. In some case this length of stay may be extended by an additional six months however in both classes, candidates must be able to demonstrate that their visit to the USA is intended as a temporary one. When applications are assessed considerable attention is paid to demonstrable evidence that the applicant has no intention of giving up their residence in their home country and that they have the intention and the means to support themselves during their stay and to leave before or upon the expiry of their US visa. An applicant's intention to continue residing in their home country can be supported by evidence of family ties, property ownership, employment or any evidence which suggests that an applicant is irrevocably linked to their own country"
Thank you for taking the time and trouble to reply.
My experience has always been that the B1 B2 is required for Uk crew, but there doesn't seem to have been a logical reason behind this - I could only think that if some terrorism event happened and crew were stranded in the US, it would make things easier for their departure.
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a big thankyou! 
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