C1/D Visa – Apply from Nigeria

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Nigerian Emigration

For Nigerian emigration matters, please call +44 (0) 3316300929 or +2342013438882

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Overview

The C1/D Visa is a nonimmigrant Visa category issued by the United States for individuals who are crew members of international airlines or ships who need to enter the United States for transit or crew change purposes. It combines a C1 Visa (Transit Visa) and a D Visa (Crew member Visa).

It enables them to transit through the United States as part of their duties and responsibilities on the ship. The C1/D Visa is typically valid for a specific period and allows multiple entries into the United States.

You must depart the US within 29 days. If you need to stay longer than that, you must apply for another visa, such as a B1 or H2 Visa.

Starting the visa application process well before your intended travel date is advisable to allow sufficient time for processing.

Examples of Travel Purposes that Require a C1/D Visa

• Serving as a pilot or flight attendant on a commercial airplane.
• Working as a captain, engineer, or deckhand on a sea vessel.
• Occupying roles such as lifeguard, cook, waiter, beautician, or other service staff on a cruise ship.
• Being a trainee on board a training vessel.

Requirements for the C1/D Visa

When applying for a C1/D Visa, you must meet the specific requirements, including submitting the necessary documents and providing evidence of your eligibility.

Eligibility Requirements for a C1/D Visa

To be eligible for a C1/D Visa, you must meet certain requirements, including being employed as a crew member by a recognised international airline or shipping company and having a letter from your employer confirming your position and the purpose of your travel.

Certain conditions render individuals ineligible for this visa. These include performing dry dock repairs on a U.S. docked boat under warranty, temporary service on a U.S.-based fishing vessel, acting as a replacement coasting officer for a foreign vessel during home leave in U.S. waters lasting less than 29 days, working as a crewmember on a foreign private yacht cruising in U.S. waters for over 29 days, and traveling as a crewmember to the Outer Continental Shelf.

Required Documents and Information Needed to Apply for a C1/D Visa

The following documents are necessary to apply for the visa:

• Valid passport with a validity of six months from the proposed stay
• Letter of employment from the airline or shipping company
• Completed Form DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application)
• One passport-sized colourful 240 KB JPEG photograph file with white background taken within the last six months. The required dimensions range from 600 x 600 pixels to 1200 x 1200 pixels
• Proof of payment of visa application fees
• Travel itinerary, including confirmed crew assignments or contracts

How to Apply for C1/D Visa from Nigeria

The following steps are involved in the application process:

Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160): Create an account on the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website and complete Form DS-160 with accurate and complete information. Upon completion, you will receive a confirmation page with a barcode that you will need for the visa interview.

Payment of Application Fees: Submit the nonrefundable visa application fee of $185 using the approved payment methods. Nonimmigrant Visa applicants without a GTBank account must pay their visa application fee in cash at any GTBank branch.

During the payment process, you must fill out the U.S. Visa fee collection slip available at the bank, indicating the payment amount and providing your telephone number. Upon completion, the bank will issue a receipt.

When making the visa fee payment at a GTBank location, the applicant’s international passport, for whom the receipt is intended, is mandatory.

Scheduling the Interview Appointment: After completing the DS-160 form and paying the fees, schedule an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence, Nigeria. It is available in Abuja and Lagos. The appointment can be scheduled online through the CEAC website.

Attending the Interview: On the scheduled date, arrive at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for the visa interview. Bring all the required documents, including your passport, DS-160 confirmation page, interview appointment letter, and supporting documents.

During the application process, digital fingerprint scans are typically taken without ink. Additional administrative processing may be necessary following the visa interview, as determined by the consular officer. The officer will notify you if such processing is required.

Passport Collection and Visa Issuance: If your visa application is approved, your passport will be returned to you according to your chosen delivery option. It arrives within a week with the C1/D Visa affixed to one of the pages.

In case of a visa denial, your passport will be returned to you at the interview’s conclusion. Additionally, you will receive a letter outlining the specific reasons for the visa refusal.

C1/D Visa Duration

The C1/D Visa is typically granted either for the duration of the crew member’s employment agreement or until the passport’s expiration date, whichever comes first.

Processing Time of C1/D Visa

The processing time for a C1/D Visa is primarily influenced by the waiting period until the interview date, which can vary depending on the consulate and the time of the year. To account for this, allocating approximately one to two weeks to process a C1/D Visa application is recommended.

The Renewal Process of a C1/D Visa

The renewal process for this visa is exactly the same as applying for the first time. All the requirements and application procedures are repeated, and the visa is renewed.

How Can IAS Help?

Embarking on a C1/D Visa application journey in Nigeria? Let IAS be your trusted guide throughout the process. Our highly experienced team specialises in visa services and will ensure you meet the requirements and submit a strong application. Moreover, our services in Nigeria are affordable and of excellent quality.

Start your C1/D Visa application today by contacting IAS for personalised assistance tailored to your needs, making your journey to the US as smooth and successful as possible.

Connect with us now at +2342013438882 (Lagos, Nigeria Office) or +44 (0) 3316300929 and let us help you secure your US Visa. You can also connect with us online to take the first step towards your successful transit in the US.