US Crew Visa

[Bumz_Rush]

Just had an odd phone call with the US embassy, I am in UK for few days, and phoned at £1.30 per minute to make appointment for crew visa for ,myself, a crew member operating executive aircraft to US. My crew visa had expired. ( C1/D).

In Cairo last week, I was told that I needed a crew visa...(but then this was Cairo)......and the appointment for my interview would be the next day !!!!!!!

I was told by (name available), that as I worked for a private airline I only required the normal visitors visa, the B1/B2.

The explanation was that if I worked for a REAL airline like BA, I would need a crew visa, but as I work for a private airline I do not........

Bumz

feel free to relocate to suitable forum...

[specialbrew]

Try telling that to customs at Teterboro.......... or anywhere else in the US for that matter. They often ask if the flight is commercial or private but regardless of this, our entries have only ever been granted on a C1/D.

I would hate to think of the consequences of denied entry due to incorrect or expired visa. They are certainly not going to say" never mind mate, just make sure you have the correct one next time". They are likely to string you up by your b@11s!

Such nice, warm and understanding people, those U S immigration fella's:uhoh:

[BizJetJock]

I am in exactly the position of BumzRush, and have had exactly that response from Teterboro customs!
My C1/D expired a year ago, and I had the same conversation with the embassy. Since then I have been in and out of the states as operating crew and positioning about 15 times with no problems. When I raised the issue with the INS at Teterboro they said that we should have C1/D visas, but as they were aware of what the embassies were doing they were accepting B1/B2 visas especially if you have an expired C1/D.

[Bumz_Rush]

...if the embassy refuse to accept that we need the crew visa, and then naturally wil not issue a visa that they consider you are not entitled to.....and at £1.30 per minute, it does not encourage a extended explanation. If they have said NO we have no method of follow up.

Bumz

[Son of a Beech]

Not to discourage you but the US Consulate in The Netherlands charges € 15,00 per phone call, you are required to give your creditcardnr first before they answere you. I had to call back 5 min later to chainge my appointment they charged me another €15.00 for that.

[His dudeness]

we just sold an A/C to the US - and I would have liked to fly it over- US Embassy Germany says: you´ve got to have crew visa, first available slot is march 13, then it takes some more time to process....
Already didn´t get a job because I could not get visa quick enought to attend typerating. I just hope, the US crews get the same treatment...but somehow I doubt it.

[DUAL RATED]

when i went to Teteboro last, they filled out the ci/d thing in my passport and gave me back my I94 saying i didnt need it. next time i went to the US via West Palm Beach i didnt bother filling out a I94 form and got told i must fill it and only airlines use C1/D. I remember awhile back going into i think Boston and i only had a B1/B2 and the guy got really pissed off!

Sounds like the right hand doesnt know what the left one is doing and you dare not say anthing or they get all nasty

[specialbrew]

DUAL RATED

You have hit proverbial nail on the head. This is exactly my experience........ Different entry airport, different entry requirements!! Its no wonder so many visiting crews get so pi55ed off with them. They dont seem to have any standards and each have their own interpretation of the entry regs.
You even go to the effort to speak to them before hand and when you arrive, someone else is on duty with an entirely different perspective. Its all bo110cks!

isn't it about timewe did the same for entry of US aircraft into the UK?? I am sure that things would change pretty fast if we made them all stop at first landfall...... Stornaway, Belfast perhaps and given the customary warm welcome that we almost always receive entering the US.

They really get on my goat:mad:

[eugi]

hey everybody

example for berne/switzerland:

phone call to us embassy costs you approx 3usd/minute. 4 attemps, on each one more than 15min waiting time...there wasnt even some music to entertain me.
finally i got an answer, 2 months waiting time for the audience.
day of audience: 2 hrs waiting time in front of embassy at snowfall and minus degree temperatures. got in, another hour waiting time and since i need two visas, the stupid guy took every fingerprint twice...

welcome in the united states!
cheers

[727 exec]

Bumz - welcome back to Europe...hope things work out for you!!

I had visited the US using my B1/B2 as a crew visa for about 20 years, then got stopped in Birmingham (Alabama) by somebody who'd had to check in his manual (don't think they get many UK crew arriving there!)...he said I could use my B1/B2 this one last time.

My B1/B2 was helpfully stamped as being 'cancelled without prejudice' - so armed with my new appointment at the US Embassy (they actually were very helpful when I told them I was crew), the required photos (Snappy Snaps chain can take US approved ones) and documentation (including a letter from my Employer)...off I went. Usual queue, but quick and easy once I actually got in. Helpful Lady renewed my B1/B2 and issued the C1/D.

Went off to Bangor...helpful man let me in using the B1/B2 - same at Miami!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AA717driver]

If it's any consolation, when I was with an airline we had constant problems with inconsistency within our bureaucracy.

Every Port of Entry was different although not to the extremes you all are experiencing.

Perhaps if our governments were able to get along better we could find a way around this issue. If you are getting hassled it's only a matter of time before we in the U.S. start getting it when abroad.TC

[Margarita]

EU should request crew visas from US pilots in all fairnes. I am pretty sure that when American pilots are waiting they visas at Washington on European Embassies message will get through fast!

[Bumz_Rush]

On tel call to London I was told not to bother applying...so was not invited to attend....so did you just walk in...after statutory Q, or get appointment...

And how did you pay...CC...?

Thanks it is nice to be back, but need a job....1 days work a week....and 6 days on the beach.....

[727 exec]

BR my friend,

I called the number and explained that I needed the crew visa doing asap...nice lady said I could come in tomorrow.

You have to pay (and complete the online paperwork) in advance...monies have to be paid into Binkleys Bonk and the receipt provided at the interview.

At home if you want to call (usual terms and conditions apply!!).

Overrrrrrrrr

727 (down to two engines with immediate effect - but much better telly!)

[farmer jo]

Here in Greece you book your appointment online no need to speak to anyone, last time we sent someone we had to wait five days for an appointment, we got issued bothe d visas and b1/b2 ?

Don't all the US embassies use the internet booking system ?
FJ

[Bumz_Rush]

Departed Luton airport, 0600...arrived embassy, (recomended Tube Station BOND STREET,) at 0710. I was 15th in Q .... by 0745 a further 10 had joind their family in front of me. Also in front were 3 Virgin Atlantic CC, and behind me two Thomas Cooke FD.

Just as the security gard started to organise the flow, a smartly dressed girl slid in to the very front. I pointed out to her that others in the Q might be upset at her blatent Q jump. Her reply was its all right I am B A cabin crew, !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can go to the front I have been told this by my office.

Total time outside in Q, 1h15. There was a line of 60-70 behind me at 0810.
My confrontation drew the attention of the security guard, who politely told her that there are many crew in this Q and she should start at the back...
The other crew in the line made a silent victory roll of the Q.

The on line letter of invitation had a virus in it, and the posted letter arrived just in time, as they also send a bank payment form, but not enough time to get the CASH payment made to Barclays. They opened at 0900, so I was permitted to exit embassy, and pay funds.... Not too far to walk...Direct to front of line, and back to same kiosk as original contact made.

NO mobile phones, organisers, or computers permitted in building. Leave yours with security. The security checks were less intrusive that any airport.

Prompt service inside the embassy, and apart from the courier service being out of service last week, very efficient. Courier servise is mandatory, and costs £9.50, cash or credit card.

A two minute interview, and I was assured I would be issued a new crew visa, and a new tourist visa....I only asked for a new crew visa.

Out by 1100, and jumped on train back to Luton Airport.

All in all I was pleased...... Bumz

[Bumz_Rush]

09h00 next day...knock on door...visa delivered......Bumz was overcome with surprise...had to sit down and have another tea.

[latetonite]

Had the same thing. Come to Athens and have your crew visa in maybe one, max two days. Also as a foreigner. Had a friend from Paris coming over specially for this, as in Paris it would take minimum 6 weeks! You can only operate under the visa waiver program if you arrive and depart the US in a flag carrier. Ýf you fly your own or corporate plane for that matter you need a crew visa or you will get in trouble upon arrival. Been there done that.

[cambioso]

How long is the C1/D valid for, and what should the "Employers letter" say if you want one to last as long as possible?

[latetonite]

Visa D validýty 5 years..

[Freelance_uk]

The bottom line here is that we should all take the opportunity to complain to our MP's. I have had mine on their case for the last few weeks, and in her case she involved the U.S Embassy, The D.T.I who all went on to give B.S replies.

If people dont put these matters on record then the politicians will do nothing about it, not that they do alot anyway, but if enough people do complain then maybe something will get done.