C-1/D Combination Transit and Crewmember Visa
Issued to a crewmember who must first travel to the United States to meet and board the ship or aircraft they will work on. It combines the C-1 transit visa (to travel to join the vessel) with the D crewmember visa (to work on it) into a single document, when the applicant's country reciprocity schedule allows it.
- Duration
- Non-lightering crewmembers (the typical C-1/D case) must depart the US on a vessel within 29 days of arrival (8 CFR 214.2(c)(1) and (d); crewmember visa guidance). A combination for lightering activity is issued as C-4/D-3 instead, with a 180-day limit, and is a separate combination not covered here.
- Extensions
- Cannot extend or change status - both C and D are on USCIS's list of classifications ineligible to file Form I-539; crewmembers must depart with the vessel/aircraft within the authorized period.
- Work
- Only in a crewman capacity aboard the vessel/aircraft of arrival, or a vessel/aircraft of the same transportation company; not authorized for domestic flights or movements, except a narrow stopover exception on qualifying single-aircraft international US-carrier flights.
- Dual intent
- No
- Dependents
- Spouse and unmarried minor children may apply separately for B visitor visas to accompany the crewmember, if they will not themselves perform vessel/aircraft duties; no C-1/D dependent classification exists.
- Path to a green card
- None from this status. A person who used a C-1 visa to join a crew (i.e., the C-1/D combination) is permanently barred from adjustment of status under INA 245(c)(1), regardless of any later change in nonimmigrant status - the bar looks at whether the person served as a crewman, not their current status.
- Processing time
- unverified - no fixed timeline published; varies by post.
Who qualifies
- Crewmember traveling to the US as a passenger specifically to meet and join a ship or aircraft they will work on
- Applicant whose country reciprocity schedule permits combined C-1/D issuance and who is independently qualified for both the C-1 and D classifications
Requirements
- Evidence of transiting to meet the vessel/aircraft (e.g., a letter from the employer or the employer's agent)
- The reciprocity schedule for the applicant's nationality must allow C-1/D issuance, and the consular officer must determine the applicant is qualified for both
- Underlying D requirements: employed to provide services required for the normal operation of the vessel or aircraft
How to apply
- 1
Complete Form DS-160 online and print the confirmation page
- 2
Pay the non-refundable application fee ($185) if required before the interview
- 3
Gather passport, photo, and application fee receipt
- 4
Bring evidence of employment on the vessel/aircraft and, if applicable, evidence you are transiting specifically to meet it
- 5
Attend the visa interview and provide fingerprints
- 6
Consular officer determines whether combined C-1/D issuance is appropriate under the applicant's country reciprocity schedule
- 7
Await any administrative processing; pay any applicable visa issuance fee once approved
Fees and forms
| MRV nonimmigrant visa application fee | $185 (the $185 non-petition-based rate covers both the underlying C-1 and D categories) |
What changed in 2025 and 2026
- 2026-07-01: CBP began issuing the Crewman's Landing Permit (Form I-95) electronically for each border encounter, replacing the previous reusable paper I-95.
Where it goes wrong
- Combination C-1/D is only issued if the traveler's country reciprocity schedule allows it - otherwise separate C-1 and D visas may be required
- Using this visa to join a crew permanently bars later adjustment of status under INA 245(c)(1), even if the person's nonimmigrant status subsequently changes
- Must depart with the vessel/aircraft within 29 days - cannot extend or change status while in the US
Also in crew
Not sure this is the one? Describe your situation and the finder will name the options worth exploring. None of this is legal advice; eligibility turns on facts a page cannot see.