US Visa

[Bill Balme]

A fellow sailor asked me about obtaining a visa to enter the US. Apparently you can go most of the way online, but then it asks for an address in the US... Wondering if the contact person in the US needs to be acquainted with the person entering?
He's currently in the Caribbean and would like to cruise New England...

[boatman61]

I believe he'll need a B1/B2 visa to visit the States.. that involves an interview at an Embassy.
Don't think you can just sail in.. the other way is tie up in Tortola and catch the ferry to the USVI where they stamp you in on your passport.. then go back to your boat and sail round.. your good for 90 days.

[MarkJ]

Look up a marina in a port of entry near where he wants to go and use that address.

Biatman is right, B1B2 needed. The USVI work around will not make for a long stay as passage time is included. 90 days in the USA puts him plum I to the hurricane season with only 1 direction to go, north.

[Bill Balme]

Thanks for that information. If he does that and gets the 90 day visa, is it possible to extend that once in the States?

[carstenb]

Originally Posted by Bill Balme

Thanks for that information. If he does that and gets the 90 day visa, is it possible to extend that once in the States?

He should go to Barbados- first Call the US embedssystemet there and ask for an appointmnet to get interviewed for the Visa - I'm told that right now the waiting time is less than two weeks- THen go get the visa and forget about all the rest of the crap.

Do ti right and he won't have a problem

[Zai]

Maybe I missed it, but what is his nationality?

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Bill Balme

Thanks for that information. If he does that and gets the 90 day visa, is it possible to extend that once in the States?

No. Absolutely not.

Tell him to get the proper B1B2. The Aericans are not the ones to piss off. Friend of mine did a tiny infraction while in the US and is now banned for life, can't even fly though to transit to another country.

Don't anger the US customs and immigration. And the USVI thing is definitely a cheat. The loophole, if its there at all, could close at any second. That means your friend rolls up and gets the big red stamp denied entry in the passport for trying to illegally enter the USA.

[bvander]

Ref visa, lot depends on person's nationality.
Best bet is call a us embassy or consulate and ask.
Rules change often so while website a good start, dont count on it being accurate.