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Old 08-11-2022, 21:41   #1
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Question best places to get B1/B2 US visa in Caribbean...Nassau?

Hi all!

Hoping to get some community advice on where to apply for a B1/B2 visa for private yacht owner/crew to enter US. We are New Zealanders but the US Embassy here has a long wait time for interviews and we will already be in the Caribbean before we get a slot.

Reading on another thread from 2019 I saw some members had a smooth experience only waiting about a week at the US Embassy in Nassau, Bahamas.
We will be en route from Panama to Fort Lauderdale, so Nassau appears to be a convenient place. It would be great if we could hear some stories from anyone who has done this in Nassau or nearby in the Caribbean in the last 6-12 months. The boat is planned to get to FL around early - mid February 2023.

I did wonder if we could enter by ferry from Bimini on an ESTA and apply/interview in Miami, but it seems you have to be outside the US at a US Embassy/consulate. I also wonder if it is possible to enter the US from Bimini on a ferry using ESTA and then leave the US on a private yacht without a B1/B2, is this possible? (not ideal because we would still need to go through the process somewhere as we do need this visa going forward)

If we can get some confidence from people who have applied in Nassau lately we will plan to either....

1. get off in Nassau while the boat sails on to Fort Lauderdale, with us flying to Miami/FL to meet the boat after we have the visas.
2. get off in Bimini, ferry to Miami, then fly Miami to Nassau for our interview and then fly return to Miami/FL
*The boat will continue to FL and be there for a few weeks.

If there is another way that would work we would be grateful for your advice and insight.

cheers and thanks!

Benno
(Lagoon 52)

Sorry , a few questions here! Hopefully someone can make sense of this for us!
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Old 08-11-2022, 22:44   #2
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Re: best places to get B1/B2 US visa Caribbean?

to my knowledge there are only two places to get a B1/B2 in the caribbean - BArbados and Nassau - both seem to be quick and efficient. Count on an application taking 5-7 days.

Some have docked in BVI and taken a ferry across to USVI on an esta, getting an entry stamp and returning on their boat. Apparently, this is possible but I'm not sure if you can do this and use it the entry when coming into florida.

We've entered the US on our B1/B2 with the boat several times and every time they have asked for the B1/B2

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Old 09-11-2022, 01:24   #3
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Re: best places to get B1/B2 US visa Caribbean?

Hi Carsten,

Thanks a lot.
If it’s 5-7 days and straight forward Nassau will be the best option. It would be great to hear from anyone who has done this recently.
Interesting about USBVI.
Cheers
Benno
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Old 09-11-2022, 01:50   #4
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Re: best places to get B1/B2 US visa Caribbean?

Was very easy to get the Visa from Trinidad
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Old 09-11-2022, 06:31   #5
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Re: best places to get B1/B2 US visa Caribbean?

Have you checked the wait times for an appointment at the various embassies you want to apply at?
https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...ait-times.html
Nassau is not short. If you choose Nassau you might want to have thought through a plan B if you don't get the visa in time and hurricane season is approaching.
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Old 09-11-2022, 06:55   #6
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Re: best places to get B1/B2 US visa Caribbean?

Yes, Bridgetown in Barbados wins at 59 days wait.

We have done it in Panama (now 666 days wait) and in Nassau (now 126 days wait) and even though as sailors it’s easy to get the visa, it is a major hassle you have to go through either case.
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B1 visa, B1/B2, B1/B2 Visa, Bahamas, bimini, Caribbean, enter US, enter US private boat, ESTA, interview, miami, nassau, Panama Canal, private boat crew, US Embassy, US Visa, visa

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