D-2 Visa, Landed Privileges for Crew Members on Fishing Vessels Landing in Guam

This is a nonimmigrant visa to provide landing privileges for individual crew members or for entire crews (or trainees on training ships or crafts) serving on commercial fishing vessels that temporarily land in Guam. The employee can also be for a new employee, provided no strike or lockout has recently occurred. The ship's home based port must be the U.S. and the visa is usually obtained in about three business days.

The D-2 visa is valid for up to 29 days but expires when the ship leaves the U.S. and enters a foreign port. International waters are not considered a foreign port and the U.S. includes:

• Puerto Rico
• Guam
• U.S. Virgin Islands

Note, however, that American Samoa does not qualify. There are no provisions in this visa for accompanying dependents who must obtain their own B-1 visas. Change of status to another type of visa is not possible. A ship cannot be in dry dock. Crewmembers on fishing vessels not landing temporarily in Guam will need a B-1 visa.

Submission Process for the D-2 Visa

This visa is obtained through the home country U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The applicant must demonstrate through employer records that;

• No strike or lockout has occurred, or
• If one occurred the employee has worked for the employer for at least 1 year prior to the strike or lockout, in one of the different months, and
• Expect to continue to work for the employer at the same level.