All Cruise Applicants Need a Valid Passport

Most cruise lines indicate on their website’s employment pages that crew members must have a passport that is valid for at least one year from the date they join the ship. If you are just starting the cruise job search, having a valid passport is your key to a successful start.  If you have a passport it needs to be valid for at least one more year once you board any vessel.  Contact Cruise Career Center for more information should you need any assistance.

When is a Visa Required for Cruise Employment?

The nationality of the cruise ship (flag of where the ship is registered) has no bearing on whether or not you need a visa. Depending on your nationality, the country that you join your ship and your ship’s itinerary, will determine which visas you will need for your contract. Contact Cruise Career Center for more information if necessary.

Cruise lines that Cruise Career Center work with make it a requirement that crew members will be able to successfully obtain a US C1/D visa (except US and Canadian citizens). The reason for a crew member to have this US visa is so that they will be able to join a ship in the United States or be able to transit through a US port.  At Cruise Career Center you can talk with a crew specialist that will help guide you through the process.

Documents List

• Police Clearance
• Passport
• STCW / BST Certificate
• Seaman’s Book
• Medical
• Visa
• Letter of Employment (LOE)