Is it easier to get a job with a US visa
Automatic translation
The issue of facilitating the employment of a seafarer on ships of any type has always been a pressing topic. Here we are not talking about the influence of experience and age, but about general factors that can help and greatly facilitate the employment of seafarers. One of these factors is the presence / absence of a US visa for the seafarer. Let's try to understand this issue.
Why do I need a C1 / D visa
To begin with, the "seafarer visa" in the United States for Ukrainian seafarers is a visa marked as C1 / D. That is, this is, in fact, a combined visa, where C1 indicates its belonging to the transit type, and D indicates that the crew with such a visa is entitled to work in the United States. Thus, it is easy to conclude that such a visa is necessary for a seaman only if the vessel on which he will work, in accordance with the route, will cross the US border or call at US ports.
This visa is issued for a period of 10 years and, if its term is nearing completion, but has not yet expired, the seafarer can renew it without re-passing the interview at the embassy. Thus, in the event that you plan to work with American companies or in US waters, even if such work at sea is limited to only one contract, for a sufficiently long period of time this visa can help speed up the processing of your maritime documents.
Let's move on to the issue of obtaining such visas. The basic documents for such visas are: the route of the vessel, the seaman's passport and documents that provide financial guarantees. Documents regarding the itinerary of the vessel, indicating the approximate dates and times of calling at American ports, are usually provided directly by the shipowner. In addition, if you have a ship's list, it will confirm the fact that you are sent on work issues. There is no standard type of this document, since different companies use a different format, however, they must indicate the seafarer's passport number, citizenship, position within the company, and a special identifier number (if any) of the seafarer.
What documents are needed
Documents confirming financial viability may be required if the consular service considers the guarantees provided by the ship owner and you insufficient. For example, in the case when boarding a ship must take place in an American port, you may be required to submit a document from the company's agent in the United States, indicating the information about the guarantor. Thus, if, among other documents, you have in your hands other certificates confirming your financial solvency (these include any kind of bank statements, which will indicate the availability of funds in your accounts). You should not consider this as an attempt to ruin your life on the part of the host side - this is how the American government is fighting illegal immigration.
A seaman's passport, in fact, is a direct confirmation that your goal is to work at sea. In addition, an experienced seafarer should always have this document with him, so its presentation should not be news to you. And do not forget that the visa officer may need a number of other documents, if he considers their presence necessary. For example, you may be asked to present a valid employment contract with the ship owner, educational documents, etc. Again, this should not be considered something out of the ordinary, because in many cases of refusal to submit, you may be refused registration without explanation.
Thus, the "seafarer visa", although it is a document that is required when working at sea only when crossing the US border, significantly expands the range of vacancies for which you can apply.
