Do I Need a D Visa in Palm Beach County?
The Port of Palm Beach is a well-known destination for many international vessels. It welcomes many cruise ships, cargo ships, and other vessels each year. According to the Port of Palm Beach’s official website, it processes billions of dollars in commodities, millions of tons of cargo, and hundreds of thousands of cruise passengers each year. But what happens if you’re working on one of these vessels? Do you need a special visa to visit? Can a Palm Beach County immigration lawyer help?
D Visas Explained
D visas are some of the most obscure green cards you can obtain in the United States. They are for people who work on commercial sea vessels or international airlines, and they allow you to stay in the United States for up to 29 days. These might include pilots, flight attendants, captains, engineers, deckhands, lifeguards, waiters, cooks, trainees, and general service staff. Cruise ships often employ a wide range of service staff, and these individuals may need to obtain D visas.
Note that D visas do not apply to crewmembers of vessels in dry dock, fishing vessels, coasting officers, private yachts, or vessels heading to outer continental shelves. Depending on your circumstances, you might need a B-1 visa or an H-2 visa in these situations.
You Might Need a C Visa as Well
Note that if you plan to travel to the United States before boarding a commercial vehicle at an American port, you may need a “C visa” in order to transit through the country and reach the port. Note that you might also need to obtain a D visa in order to board the vessel and leave U.S. waters.
Plan for Visa Requirements Ahead of Time
Whether or not you have received a job offer, you should plan for your visa requirements ahead of time. Consider speaking with an experienced immigration lawyer if you’re not sure what type of visa you need.
How Do I Get a D Visa?
If you want to get a D Visa, you should fill out Form DS-160. You will also need to print out the confirmation page and upload a photo, making sure to meet the photo formatting requirements. Finally, an interview is probably necessary before you obtain your D visa.
Can a Palm Beach County Immigration Lawyer Help With D Visas?
If you need to obtain a D visa, you might want to talk to an experienced Palm Beach County immigration lawyer. A conversation with an immigration attorney could be particularly important if you’re having trouble obtaining your D visa. Although this process should be relatively easy, you may need to take additional steps in order to visit Palm Beach County on your commercial vessel and keep your employment. Schedule a consultation with Devore Law Group, P.A. now to get started with an action plan.
Sources:
travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/other-visa-categories/crewmember-visa.html
portofpalmbeach.com/#:~:text=the%20Port%20of%20Palm%20Beach,and%20400%2C000%20cruise%20passengers%20annually.
