Crew Visa

[jd832]

Is there such thing as a crew visa? And if so, how does it work?

Cheers

[Eric Janson]

I used to have a crew visa in my passport for the US - this was pre 9-11. Not sure what they have now.

Most countries use a General Declaration or "GenDec" which has all the crew names/staff number/passport number. Immigration check off each crew name. Normally no stamps in the passport.

Some countries have their own paperwork - 1 copy for entry and 1 for exit. They don't even look at your passport.

Simplest is where the bus parks right beside the aircraft and we get on with our suitcases and head straight to the hotel - no customs or immigration. The Airline has made special arrangements. I won't mention the country.

[whatsitdoingnow]

.

[Gilles Hudicourt]

Is there such thing as a crew visa? And if so, how does it work?

Cheers

You posted this question on a Canadian forum but the replies you received were for United States crew visas. Are you inquiring about Canadian or US crew visas ?

For Canada:

Foreign nationals do not require a temporary resident visa if they seek to enter Canada as, or to become crew members of an aircraft, train or bus. Foreign nationals do not require a temporary resident visa if they seek to transit through Canada after working, or to work, as crew members of an aircraft, train or bus if they possess a ticket to depart Canada within 24 hours of their arrival.

And as always, the source:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications ... .html#s2x9

However, because it is unlikely that crew members will meet the 24 hours limit (you may arrive from Europe in the morning and are scheduled to depart the next evening, 36 hours later), you will then need a visa, which Canada calls the Temporary Resident Visa. It is the same as for tourists. However, if you also meet the requirements below, you still do not need one:

190. (1) A foreign national is exempt from the requirement to obtain a temporary resident visa if they
(a) are a citizen of Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, St. Kitts and Nevis, Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden or Switzerland;
(b) are
(i) a British citizen,
(ii) a British overseas citizen who is re-admissible to the United Kingdom, or
(iii) a citizen of a British overseas territory who derives that citizenship through birth, descent, naturalization or registration in one of the British overseas territories of Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn Island, Saint Helena or Turks and Caicos Islands; or
(c) are a national of the United States or a person who has been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence.
Marginal note:Visa exemption — documents

(2) A foreign national is exempt from the requirement to obtain a temporary resident visa if they
(a) hold a passport that contains a diplomatic acceptance, a consular acceptance or an official acceptance issued by the Chief of Protocol for the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade on behalf of the Government of Canada and are a properly accredited diplomat, consular officer, representative or official of a country other than Canada, of the United Nations or any of its agencies, or of any international organization of which Canada is a member;
(b) hold a passport or travel document issued by the Holy See;
(c) hold a national Israeli passport;
(d) hold a passport issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China;
(e) hold a passport issued by the United Kingdom to a British National (Overseas), as a person born, naturalized or registered in Hong Kong;
(e.1) hold a passport issued by the United Kingdom to a British Subject which contains the observation that the holder has the right of abode in the United Kingdom; or
(f) hold an ordinary passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan that includes the personal identification number of the individual.

Source:

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regu ... .html#h-92

[Cisbour]

I have a crew visa. I was required to get one as I am a Permanent Resident so I do not have a Canadian passport (working on it).
If you do not have a Canadian passport and are required to fly into the US, you will probably need to get a crew visa, also known as a C1/D visa.
They are fairly easy to get but it does require an interview with the US consulate. You have to book an interview date online which (if you're in Toronto) can take several weeks to a month in advance. I found that if you're in a pinch, the office in Ottawa is generally easier to get a quick appointment (several days) and then after the interview it will take about a week to ten days to receive your visa (remember though that you will also be without a passport for that time period as they keep it to stick the visa in)

You should also know that if you are required to fly private flights (such as some aircraft management companies flying the owner) you will need to get a B1/B2 visa as C1/D visa's are only for paid/charter etc flights.

Visa's are normally valid for 10 years and there is plenty of info on Google if you need it.

Hope this helps

Thanks for the info. Do you know if this visa is valid for just one employer? And if you want to change jobs you have to apply for another visa?