B1B2 Visas: Important advice for all seafarers
Evolution has been assisting crew with B1B2 visas through the US Embassy in Madrid for several years and this service has been even more in demand since the pandemic began.
Until May 2021 we were proud to have helped over 200 crew obtain appointments and successful visa issuance during the pandemic. However, since this time the US Embassy in Madrid changed its procedures for seafarers and has not been issuing rush dates, meaning appointments before 2022 have not been awarded in recent months.
In recent communcations we have been advised that the Afghan refugee situation is the current visa priority at the US Embassy in Madrid and Evolution is unfortunately having to advise our clients that we do not expect to see any openings for crew in the coming weeks. This comes at a time when we are receiving more and more requests as vessels plan for their winter season.
In discussions to see a way around this obstacle our clients are considering the following:
- Not recruiting new crew who do not already have a valid B1 or B1B2 visas.
- Cruising itineraries that do not involve entry to US waters.
- Seeking advice from US based yacht agents to find out how local port authorities are reacting to the situation.
- Seeking advice from other European yacht agents to see how Embassies are handling this matter in other EU countries.
Please stay in touch with us on this matter, we will keep you informed as best we can and can also provide agent contacts in other locations outside of Spain for the best local advice.
Evolution Yacht Agents is the leading-edge team of professionals dedicated to providing assured and quality support and services to yachts in Spanish waters.
A full range of superyacht specialized services includes: charter license & legal advice, TPA (Vat exemption), customs & logistics operations, provisions & interior supplies, deck & engineering supplies and crew & VIP services.
