US VISA granted/approved C1D visa (for seafarers/crew member)

"May mga bagay  sa buhay ng tao na kailangan daanan dahil sa pag tahak dito ang bawat hakbang mo ay may kalakip na pag sisikap at pag asang sa dulo nito ay may kasaganahang makakamtan."


High School palang dapat alam mo na kung anung kurso ang iyong gustong tahakin dahil pagtapos ng iyong kolehiyo ito na ang magiging habang buhay mong trabaho, kung pipiliin mong maging marino, dapat may dedekasyon at tatag ng loob kang harapin ang lahat ng bagay. Alam kong hindi ganung kadaling maging marino kahit alam mo sa sarili mo na matalino ka at marami kang alam laging tatandaan na "ang tunay na talino ay hindi nasusukat sa dami ng iyong nalalaman kung hindi sa dami ng taong nagmamahal at totoong nakaharap sa iyo."




sa pag guhit mo sa mga pangarap mo wag kang mawalan ng pag asa, may mga bagay lang talaga sa mundo na hindi pa nakalaan para sa iyo, ngunit kung may pagtyatyaga at pag pupursigi ito ay darating at makakamit mo.


Nung una akala ko hindi na ako ma kakahu ng US visa, dahil sa unang beses ang ako'y kumuha nito "VISA DENIED".
hindi ko man ninais na ito ay maganap, ngunit ito ay nakatakda sa akin. Hindi ko alam ang aking gagawin nung mga panahong iyon, wala ako sa sarili ko pag labas ko ng US embassy, yung tipong wala kang gustong makitang tao, pilit ang mga ngiti mo, at gusto mo na lamang mag lakad sa kawalan... 


Ang mga pangarap ko sa buhay ay para na lamang 9-11 attack na bigla na lamang gumuho sa isang iglap, isa pa naman sa pinaka mahalagang bagay bilang isang MARINO na ikaw ay magkaroon ng US VISA. 


"Mandatory sa mga aplikante na kumuha at ma grant ang kanilang US VISA bago makasampa sa barko,yan mahigpit na patakaran ng halos lahat ng Manning Agencies."
- ang unang tanong sa agency na aaplyan mo kung may US VISA kana.

Marami sa mga US VISA applicant ang nagtataka kung bakit marami sa kanila ang bumabagsak, lalo na kung "First Timer" ka.






eto ang ilan sa aking mga karanasan, ang mga pinagdaanan na malugod kong ibinabahagi sa iyo na kahit papaano ay alam kong makakatulong sa kapwa marino ko.




Bago ang araw ng Interview:


1. Mag aral ng mabuti at aralin ang mga posibleng tanong na maaring itanong ng consul sa iyo. lahat ng nakasulat sa application mo at sa mga papeles mo, siguraduhing kabisado at alam mo ang mga dates.


2. Mag basa ng mga bagay na makakatulong para mapaghandaan ang US visa Interview. (tulad nito tama ang iyong ginagawa dahil kahit paano ay nagbabasa ka para sa ilang tips na maari mong makuha. mag comment ka naman kung itong page nato ay nakatulong sa iyo. at kung may mga katanungan ka.)


3. Kumausap ng ibang MARINO na may karanasan na at ito'y isapuso, kung maaari ay isulat mo ang lahat ng maririnig mo para matandaan mo.


4. Huwag mahiyang magtanong ng mga bagay na hindi mo alam. Dahil ito ang isang paraan para malaman mo ang mga bagay na gusto mo at makadagdag ng kaalaman mo.


Sa gabi bago ang nakatakdang Interview:


1. Ihanda ang lahat ng dokumento at mga kailangan para sa US Visa Interview.


2. Kumain ng ayon sa iyong gusto para makatulog ng maayos.


3. Matulog ng sapat para may lakas at maging handa sa araw ng iyong pinakahihintay.


4. Magbasa ulit kung hindi ka makatulog (kinakabahan,excited, at kung anu-anu pa.)


5. HUWAG KALIMUTANG MAGDASAL.




Sa Araw ng Interview:


1. MAGDASAL AT HUMINGI NG GABAY SA MAY LIKHA.


2. Kumain at ihanda ang sarili para sa US VISA Interview. Mag suot ng semi-formal na kasuotan na aayon sa iyong pagkatao. Ang pagkakaraoon ng presentableng pagkatao ay isang mahalagang bagay. Hindi mo na kailangang magsuot ng magagarang kasaootan maging "ikaw" at totoo sa sarili mo ay sapat na.


3. DUMATING SA TAMANG ORAS: kung maari magtungo/ magpunta sa US Embassy ng mga isang oras bago ang nakatakdang oras ng interview. 


4.  Huwag mahiyang magtanong sa mga empleyado ng embahada, maging magalang lamang at magpasalamat.


5.  Sa pag pasok mo sa gate mag tanong sa guard kung saan ang US VISA Interview, malugod naman silang sasagot sa iyo at ituturo ang tamang daan.


6.  Sa pila may mga empleyado sa labas para i check ang iyong schedule at may ilalagay na sticker sa likod ng iyong passport. at scan nila para ma verified.


7. Sa non-immigrant  door ka papasok. para sa checking ng iyong dalang mga gamit. 
    
    *** iwasan ang pagdadala ng anumang mga electronic na gamit tulad ng CELLPHONE,CAMERA,IPOD,IPAD, at kung anu anu pa. ilang minuto lang naman ang itatagal mo sa US embassy..


8. Pagkatapos ma check ang iyong dalang kagamitan gamit ang x-ray, pwede ka nang mag tungo sa susunod na istasyon, ibigay ulit ang hawak mong passport at schedule sa isa pang window para ma scan at ma-verified ulit at bibigyan ka nila ng PINK na papel.  tapos maari ka nang pumasok sa interview bldg./room. 


9. Pag pasok sa loob may guard na mag check na naman ng gamit mo. Buksan lamang ang bag at lahat ng mga dala mo para mapabilis ang mag pache-check.


10. Sulatan lamang ang lahat mga dapat sulatan sa PINK na papel.
    10.1 : name of father: (pangalan ng iyong ama)
    10.2 : name of mother: (pangalan ng iyong ina) *isulat ang pangalan ng iyong ina nung  sya ay dalaga pa.
    10.3 : name of spouse: (pangalan ng iyong asawa) *isulat ang pangalan ng iyong asawa nung  sya ay dalaga pa.
         * if wala pang asawa hayaan ng walang sulat *leave it blank. at magtungo/ pumunta sa screening window.
11. Screening Window: dito ang karaningwang tanong ay kung may experience kana at kung na denied kana at kung kailan. maging praktikal sa pagsagot. Kung ano ang tanong iyon lamang ang sagutin. maging sigurado din sa mga dates dahil kung pabago bago at hindi sigurado hihingan ka ng patunay para makatuloy. 


12. Biometrics: ito ang procedure na "finger print". kahit americano ang nag sscan magalang sila at bumabati ng MAGANDANG UMAGA/TANGHALI/HAPON SA IYO. Kailangan mo ring bangitin ang iyong PANGALAN AT ANG IYONG KAPANGANAKAN. (name and birthday). Pagkatapos ay mag hintay na tawagin ang iyong numero at maari ka nang mag punta sa interview window. May na aasist/guide naman sa loob ng embassy maari ka ring mag tanong sa kanya kung anu na ang susunod mong gawin may pagkakataong dadalhin ka nya sa bakanteng interview window kagad.


13. Interview Window:


       huwag kabahan, maging handa at confident, ikaw ay handa na dahil alam mong nag aral ka at alam mo na ang mga bagay na itatanong nya.ngumiti at bumati,tumayo ng tuwid, huwag magulat kung tagalog magsalita ang consul, sumagot ng ingles para mas professional. at kung kinakabahan huwag ipahalata huwag lumingon kung saan saan tandaan ang eye to eye contact sa consul ay mahalaga, at huwag mag kamot ng ulo kung hindi alam ang tanong at sagot. maari mong sabihin na "pardon sir may you repeat the questions?" 


       sumagot lamang ng naayon sa kanyang katanungan. maging maikli at tugma lamang, siguraduhing tama ang lakas at malinaw ang iyong pagsagot.


       maging magalang sa pag sagot, huwag nang makipagtalo para hindi na humaba ang diskusyon at maari pa itong maging dahilan ng pag ka DENIED ng US Visa mo, maging makatotoo at laging ihanda ang mga documento kung sakaling hanapin ito ng consul.


       magpasalamat kung anu man ang kahuntangan ng iyong interview. "approved or denied"


       kung APPROVED: ipapadala nila sa iyong agency pagkatapos ng isang lingo.
       kung DENIED ibabalik lahat sa iyo ang iyong documento kasama ang passport mo.




       GOODLUCK!!!


 **** ilan sa mga katanungan na dapat malaman para sa US VISA Interview. ito ay aking mga nakalap sa aking mga kasamahan at mga bagay nabasa at sa tulong narin ng mga taong nagmamahal sa akin.


1. experience (lahat ng bagay na naayon sa iyong naging trabaho, maging sino ang mga kasamahan mo at kung anu ang pangalan ng iyong barko at mga dates)
2. joining port
3. name of vessel
4. flag of registry
5. type of vessel
6. gross tonnage
7. US Agent name and address
8. name and address of Principal


may mga tanong din about sa safety 
duties and responsibilities
classes of fire, extinguishing agent , extinguishing method
at marami pang iba.






Getting your Seaman's Visa
Transit (C-1) and Crew (D) Visas *(US Embassy site)

TRANSIT (C-1) AND CREW (D) VISAS

No visa is required for a crew member to enter United States waters aboard a ship.  A crew member may remain on board a ship in U.S. waters, including U.S. ports, for up to 29 days.

• Except in cases of emergency, if a crew member in U.S. waters wishes to get off of the ship, then he or she must have a D visa.
• If a crew member needs to fly to the United States to join a ship, then he or she must have a C-1 visa in addition to the D visa.  In such cases, the crew member would be issued as a combined C-1/D visa.

The U.S. Embassy has an obligation to ensure that persons applying for D and/or for C-1 visas have a legitimate need for them.  The determination of need is based on when and how the applicant will enter the United States, not on speculative grounds of possibly needing a particular visa type at some undetermined time in the future.  Manning agencies are responsible for providing us with accurate information concerning crew members’ travel plans.

Please read the following FAQs before contacting us with questions about transit (C-1) and crew (D) visas:

• Why are you no longer automatically combining C-1 and D visas?  Visas are issued to bona fide travelers on the basis of demonstrated need, and each visa issuance is adjudicated on a case-by-case basis.  Individuals receive visas, not groups or companies, and not all crew members require both C-1 and D visas.  
• Do “crew list” visas still exist?  “Crew list” visas no longer exist.  The United States Congress has mandated that all visa applicants undergo a personal interview. 
• What guidelines can you offer concerning who is likely to receive combined C-1 and D visas?  In addition to crew members with averifiable need to fly to the United States to join a ship, crew members with a history of responsible use of previous U.S. visas may be found eligible for combined C-1 and D visas.  
• Are there any changes in how long it takes to receive a visa?  The time it takes to process a visa has not changed.  Most manning agencies will receive the visas for their crew members within one week of the crew members’ interviews at the Embassy.  
• Some crew members who are flying to join ships in countries outside the United States must pass through a U.S. airport to reach those countries.  Do they need U.S. visas?  Yes.  This is the purpose of the C-1 visa.  It enables aliens—crew members as well as others—to transit the United States.  Crew members joining ships in U.S. waters transit the United States (after arriving by aircraft) on their way to their ship.  Crew members flying to join ships in other countries sometimes must transit one or more U.S. airports to reach their destinations.  In such cases, crew members must demonstrate a verifiable need for a C-1 visa.   
• Are there any changes in B-1 visas for persons working aboard private yachts or B-1/OCS visas for those working aboard international vessels on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf or in the Gulf of Mexico?  No, there are no changes in these visa categories.
• We understand that vessels will be fined or subject to and charged for guards if they enter a U.S. port with crew members who do not have valid U.S. visas. Is this true? No, this is not true. A vessel entering a U.S. port is never subject to fines or the imposition of guards because of the visa status of its crew members. However, vessels that have a history of crew members “jumping ship” or other security-related issues may be required by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to post guards.

How To Apply    
      
All seafarer recruitment agencies must follow the steps provided below.

To apply, please comply with Nonimmigrant Visa Application Procedures.  The applicant must submit the additional documentary requirements listed below. 

It is not required under U.S. law for seafarers to be members of an employment agency. Therefore, seafarers can apply through a local Filipino employment agency or can apply on their own.  It is important to note that seafarers not backed by an employment agency will still require a valid contract and letter of guarantee from their employer and must meet the same standards as other applicants.

1. Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book (SIRB) issued by the Philippine Department of Transportation and Communication’s Maritime Authority (MARINA). 
2. Seafarer’s Registration Card (SRC) issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), with attached signed photo. 
3. First page of the original valid Overseas Employment Commission Certification (OEC) issued by the POEA or a POEA in-house processed OEC issued by certified agencies.
4. Seafarer recruitment agency guarantee letter with signature and all appropriate information. Each seafarer must be issued an individual guarantee letter with each application.
5. Employment history – applicant’s job experience from age 21 up to present. 
6. All seaman’s books that have expired in the past ten years and any additional seaman’s book or passport which contains a U.S. visa. 
7. Signed and valid contract of employment in POEA format. 
8. Original Basic Safety Course (BSC) training certificate with Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR) (photocopies are not accepted). 
9. College transcripts and diplomas (first-time seafarers). 
10. Certifications of training (first-time seafarers). 
11. Employment certification letters from previous employers (first-time seafarers).
12. For seafarers taking unusual or uncommon seafaring positions, seafarer recruitment agencies must provide a complete job description and indicate whether the position is a temporary or permanent component of the ship’s crew. In some circumstances, seafarer applicants may be requested to submit a complete itinerary for the vessel or a U.S. Coast Guard ship clearance letter.
13. Copy of the Appointment Confirmation Page.

Notes:

• Seafarers should submit visa applications as early as possible, but at least one week before their scheduled departure.  The Nonimmigrant Visa Unit will make every effort to process applications quickly.
• In certain cases, additional documents may be requested. 
• All documents must be originals.  Photocopies will not be accepted, unless specified. The applicant must submit these documents to the interviewing consular officer during the interview. The Nonimmigrant Visa Unit does not accept documents before the interview. Any documents received will not be returned and will be destroyed. Please note, however, that presentation of the documents will not guarantee visa issuance. Applicants must still qualify for the type of visa being sought. 

Guidelines for Document Submission   

Every seafarer recruitment agency should carefully check all seafarer applications prior to submission to ensure the form has been filled out correctly and completely. Incomplete applications will be denied.  Follow these guidelines when submitting documents:  

• Remove plastic covers or jackets from SIRBs and passports.    
• Remove excess papers and staples. 
• The guarantee letter must be stapled to the back of the application form. All guarantee letters must follow the format described in the instructions found in the Embassy accreditation kit. Guarantee letters not in the correct format or without required information will not be accepted. 
• The SRC must be attached to the inside front cover of the SIRB. 
• The POEA issued or in-house processed contract of employment and OEC must be stapled together inside the back cover of the seaman’s book. Original documents including the contract, OEC and SRC will be returned to the seafarer after the application is processed.

Notes:  

• The seafarer recruitment agency must contact the call center to make any corrections to inaccurate information before the applicant’s interview.
• Please be advised that this information may change without prior notice. Every effort will be made to inform all seafarer recruitment agencies in a timely fashion. 
• The Embassy will not approve and process improperly documented applicants to enable them to join vessels or catch flights on short notice. The Embassy will not be responsible for delays and missed connections.

Non-Compliance   
      
Non-compliance with the above requirements will result in the non-processing of the visa application.