Vessel Inspection Guide

Procedures, Regulations, and Documentation for the 

Processing of Crew and Passengers Arriving in the United States

July 2012

Vessel Inspection Guide 1

Contents

2 Preface

3 Glossary of Terms

5 Required Forms Upon Arrival and Departure

•	 Arrival Manifests

•	 Departure Manifests

15 Entry Requirements for Crew

•	 Document Requirements for Crew

•	 Visa Requirements for Crew

18 Crew Inspection

•	 Arriving Crew

•	 Discharge of Crew Members

•	 Port of Entry Paroles

» Medical Parole

» Depart Foreign Under Safeguard

•	 90 Day Crew Inspection

•	 Detention of Crew

•	 Deserter/Absconder

•	 Mustering

•	 Voluntary Departure

28 Passengers

•	 General

•	 Guests/Family Members

•	 Contract Workers

•	 Castaways

•	 Smuggled Persons

•	 Important Notes

29 Great Lakes

30 Ferry Operations

31 Pre-Inspection

•	 Closed Loop Cruises

32 Private Vessels

33 Stowaways

34 Potential Victims of Human Trafficking

35 Index of Forms and Documents

36 Subject Index
2 Vessel Inspection Guide

Preface

This publication is intended as a guide to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) procedures and regulations 

for vessels entering the United States. The information contained herein is accurate as of the publication date. 

This guide is not presented as a comprehensive reflection of all laws and regulations concerning entry to the 

United States. Rather, it seeks to identify those issues most significant to the shipping industry and to present 

them in a succinct and logical manner. The objective is to provide information concerning laws and regulations 

to be used as a resource by the shipping industry to promote the efficient processing of required forms, 

ensure the proper documentation and processing of crew and passengers, and reduce shipping companies’ 

fines liability.

CBP publishes a companion guide entitled Carrier Information Guide (May 2011). It details passenger requirements 

for entry to the United States. The reader is urged to consider the Carrier Information Guide a companion 

publication to this guide. Additional information on this subject can be found in the Travel Information Manual 

(International Air Transport Association, Netherlands, published monthly), the United States Immigration and 

Nationality Act of 1952, as amended, and Title 8, Code of Federal Regulations.

For specific questions or clarification concerning requirements for entry to the United States, the reader is 

encouraged to contact the U.S. Department of State representative at the nearest embassy or consulate, the 

nearest CBP office or port of entry, or the Regional Carrier Liaison Groups (RCLG).

The RCLG is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to assist carriers with questions regarding U.S. entry and 

departure related matters. This service is available to all carriers destined to the United States.

RCLG	 	 	 SERVICE AREA		 	 PHONE NUMBER

Honolulu Asia, Pacific Rim 808–237–4632

Miami Latin America, Caribbean 305–874–5444

New York Europe, Africa, Mid-East 718–553–1783

Any questions or comments concerning the content of this guide should be directed to:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Office of Field Operations

Carrier Liaison Program, Vessel Inspection Guide

12825 Worldgate Drive, Building III

Mailstop 1340

Herndon, VA 20598–1340

Phone: 571–468–1650

E-mail: CLP@dhs.gov
Vessel Inspection Guide 3

Glossary of Terms

The following terms and phrases are used throughout this publication.

Absconder:

A crew member that has not been granted conditional landing status and departs the vessel without permission.

Adjacent Islands:

Saint Pierre, Miquelon, Cuba*, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, the 

Windward and Leeward Islands, Trinidad, Martinique and other British, French, and Netherlands territories or 

possessions in, or bordering on, the Caribbean Sea.

Alien:

Any person not a citizen or national of the United States of America.

CBP:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Closed Loop Requirements:

Close-loop cruises are those with itineraries that both originate and terminate in the United States.

Contiguous Territory:

Canada and/or Mexico.

Crew Member:

Any person serving in a capacity required for normal operation and service on board a vessel.

Deserter:

A crew member that has been granted conditional landing status and departs the vessel with no intention of 

returning.

Documentary/Travel Document:

Any document or collection of documents issued by a competent authority required for entry and/or admission 

of the bearer into a country. For this guide, it typically includes, but is not limited to, a passport or seaman’s 

book, and visa.

Eastern Hemisphere:

The part of the earth that includes Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and Oceania.

ESTA:

Electronic System for Travel Authorization

FNU:

First name unknown.

LNU:

Last name unknown.

* Cuba is not always treated as an adjacent island nation for the purpose of entry into the United States. It is excluded when the 

specific reference so states.
4 Vessel Inspection Guide

MRZ:

Machine readable zone.

Nonimmigrant:

Any person not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.

Owner, Agent, Master:

The owner, agent, consignee, charterer, master or commanding officer of the vessel, or his/her 

official designee.

Passenger:

Any person arriving in the United States on board a vessel who is not a crew member (as defined herein) or a 

stowaway (as defined herein).

Passport:

Any travel document issued by competent authority showing the bearer’s origin, identity, and nationality, if 

any, which is valid for the admission of the bearer into a foreign country. In this guide the use of the term 

Passport implies it is not expired, is unaltered, and is presented by the rightful bearer.

Stowaway:

Any person who obtains transport without the consent of the owner, charterer, master or person in command 

of any vessel through concealment aboard such vessel. A person who boards with a valid ticket is not a 

stowaway.

United States:

Unless otherwise noted, includes the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, 

Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

VWP:

Visa Waiver Program.

Western Hemisphere:

The part of the earth that includes North America, Central America, South America, and the Adjacent Islands to 

the United States (as defined herein).

WHTI:

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
Vessel Inspection Guide 5

Required Forms Upon Arrival/Departure

Arrival Manifests

The owner, agent, or master must present the following forms to a CBP officer at the first U.S. port of entry 

for each vessel arriving from a port outside the United States. Collectively, these forms are considered an 

arrival manifest.

1. CBP Form I-418 (Crew List)

a. The master or agent is required to give an alphabetical listing of all crew members on board as well as:

» Their dates of birth,

» Nationalities,

» Travel document numbers,

» Positions on board,

» Where engaged, and

» Vessel agent (name and address).

b. Immediately following the final name on the crew list, the master or agent is required to make a 

notation indicating whether or not members of the crew will be performing any long shore work at 

any U.S. port, the exceptions under which any long shore work will be performed, the vessel’s itinerary, 

and master’ signature. 

c. The master is required to sign the certification concerning stowaways on the reverse of the form.

2. CBP Form I-95 (Conditional Landing Permit) - A properly completed CBP Form I-95 must be submitted 

for each crew member, except:

a. U.S. citizens and nationals;

b. Lawful permanent residents of the United States;

c. Citizens of the freely associated states (Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshal Islands, 

and Palau);

d. Canadian or British citizen crew members serving on a vessel operating solely between Canada and the 

United States; or

e. Crew members in possession of Form I-184 (Alien Crewman Landing Permit and Identification Card) 

who intend to depart the United States with the vessel.

3. CBP Form I-92 (Vessel Report) - A properly completed CBP Form I-92 includes the following notations:

a. Last foreign port;

b. Total number of U.S. citizen passengers on board;

c. Total number of non-U.S. citizen passengers on board; and

d. Name, address, and phone number of domestic ship’s agent.

4. CBP Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) - A properly completed CBP Form I-94 must be presented for 

each arriving passenger except:

a. U.S. citizens and nationals;

b. Legal permanent residents of the United States;

c. Citizens of Canada or Bermuda; and

d. Nonimmigrant passengers in possession of CBP Form I-94 Departure Record (white CBP Form I-94) 

issued within the previous 30 days if arriving from contiguous territory.
6 Vessel Inspection Guide

Properly Completed Arrival CBP Form I-418 Crew List

*

* Form is not expired for CBP purposes.
Vessel Inspection Guide 7

Properly Completed CBP Form I-95 Conditional Landing Permit

OMB N0. 1651-0114 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection 

C R EWM A N ’S L A NDI NG PERMIT

 Expires 02/28/2015 

Family Name Given Name Initial 

Home Address Address in United States

Hair Eyes Ht. Wt. 

Date of Birth 

Place of Birth 

Passport Number/Nationality

 

Arrived by Air Sea 

 CBP Form I-95 (02/12) 

FIN or “A” No. 

JONES Allen

123 Main St., Manila, Philippines ACME Shipping Co., Miami, FL

BLK BR 5’7” 150 lbs

June 15, 1972

Philippines

x

M/V Seaworthy

CBP Form I-95 must be submitted for each crew member applying for 

landing privileges, except:

•	 U.S. citizens and nationals;

•	 Lawful permanent residents of the United States;

•	 Canadian or British citizen crew members serving on vessels operating 

solely between Canada and the United States;

•	 Crew members in possession of Form I-184 who intend to depart the 

United States with the vessel; and

•	 Compact Free Association (CFA) members.
8 Vessel Inspection Guide

Form I-184

Alien Crewman Landing Permit and Identification Card

Form I-184 Example
Vessel Inspection Guide 9

Properly Completed Arrival CBP Form I-92 Vessel Report

 OMB No. 1651-0102 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Exp. 04/30/2011 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection AIRCRAFT/VESSEL REPORT 

 ARRIVAL 

Last Foreign Port ________________________

 DEPARTURE 

First Foreign Port ______________________

Airline/Vessel (Name and Nationality) Flight Number Port of Arr/Dep Date of Arr/Dep

TYPE OF TRANSPORT – Check One 

1. U.S. military--including

 charters to military

2. Commercial--scheduled

3. Commercial—chartered

4. Foreign military

Total

Passengers

DO NOT WRITE IN THESE BLOCKS – For CBP Use Only 

Passengers

Inspected

Passengers

Deferred

Deferred

Port

Attach CBP 7507, ICAO Declaration, or I-418, or List Crew below:

Crew: Name Status

PASSENGERS FOREIGN PORT AND COUNTRY USC ALIEN TOTAL 

TOTAL 

(See instructions on reverse of form) CBP Form I-92 (06/09) 

Ensenada Mexico

x

M/S Crystal - China N/A Long Beach 05/12/12

x

2535

2250 285 2535

28

135

75

37

2250 285 2535

U.S. Arrival Long Beach, CA

ARC

B-2

WT

Canadian

USC: 13

ARC: 7

Non US: 830

Total: 850

Crystal Cruise

1150 Main St.

Miami, FL 31132

CBP Form I-92 includes the following notations:

•	 Last foreign port;

•	 Total number of U.S. citizen passengers on board;

•	 Total number of alien passengers on board; and

•	 Name, address, and phone number of ship’s agent.

*

* Form is not expired for CBP purposes.
10 Vessel Inspection Guide

Properly Completed Arrival/Departure Records

Front and back of CBP Form I-94

All passengers holding a U.S. visa must 

complete CBP Form I-94.
Vessel Inspection Guide 11

Departure Manifest

The owner, agent, or master for every vessel departing from the United States must present a manifest to a CBP 

officer at the last U.S. port. Collectively, these forms are considered a departure manifest. The agent of record is 

responsible for submitting the departure manifest at the port of arrival.

1. CBP Form I-418 (Crew List) – The departure manifest is the traveling manifest annotated and updated at 

each coastwise port with all supporting documents such as:

a. CBP Form I-259 (Notice to Detain, Remove or Present Alien*) *At carrier’s expense

b. CBP Form I-408 (Application to Pay Off or discharge alien crewman)

c. CBP Forms I-94, I-94W, and I-95 Departure Record

d. Any other forms pertaining to crew actions.

2. CBP Form I-92 (Vessel Report) - A properly completed CBP Form I-92 must be submitted for each vessel 

transporting passengers and shall include the following notations:

a. First foreign port;

b. Total number of U.S. citizen passengers on board;

c. Total number of non-U.S. citizen passengers on board; and

d. Name, address, and phone number of domestic ship’s agent.

3. CBP Form I-94 (Departure Record) - A properly completed and endorsed CBP Form I-94, Departure 

Record must be submitted for everyone who was issued a CBP Form I-94 upon initial arrival to the 

United States, with the following exception:

a. Passengers in possession of a CBP Form I-94, Departure Record (white CBP Form I-94) traveling only to 

contiguous territory, and returning to the United States within 30 days.

4. Collection of CBP Forms I-94 or I-95 from the crew - A properly completed and endorsed CBP Form I-94, 

Departure Record must be submitted for any crew members who were paroled or otherwise documented 

on a CBP Form I-94. A CBP Form I-95 must be submitted for any crew member refused landing privileges. 

The CBP Form I-95 Crewman’s Landing Permit may be utilized for multiple arrivals provided that the alien 

crew member is still employed upon the vessel indicated on the form and that there is sufficient space to 

record a new authorization of landing privileges on the reverse of the form.

Exemption of Private Vessels

The presentation of arrival and departure CBP Forms I-418 and I-92 shall not apply to private vessels not 

engaged directly or indirectly in the carriage of persons or cargo for hire.
12 Vessel Inspection Guide

Properly Completed Departure CBP Form I-418 Crew List

*

* Form is not expired for CBP purposes.
Vessel Inspection Guide 13

Properly Completed Departure CBP Form I-92 Vessel Report

 OMB No. 1651-0102 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Exp. 04/30/2011 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection AIRCRAFT/VESSEL REPORT 

 ARRIVAL 

Last Foreign Port ________________________

 DEPARTURE 

First Foreign Port ______________________

Airline/Vessel (Name and Nationality) Flight Number Port of Arr/Dep Date of Arr/Dep

TYPE OF TRANSPORT – Check One 

1. U.S. military--including

 charters to military

2. Commercial--scheduled

3. Commercial—chartered

4. Foreign military

Total

Passengers

DO NOT WRITE IN THESE BLOCKS – For CBP Use Only 

Passengers

Inspected

Passengers

Deferred

Deferred

Port

Attach CBP 7507, ICAO Declaration, or I-418, or List Crew below:

Crew: Name Status

PASSENGERS FOREIGN PORT AND COUNTRY USC ALIEN TOTAL 

TOTAL 

(See instructions on reverse of form) CBP Form I-92 (06/09) 

Rio Haina, DR

x

M/V Seaworthy - Liberia N/A Miami 05/12/12

x

2

1 1 2

1 1 2

ACME Shipping

123 Maple St.

Miami, FL 30111

(305) 555–1111

CBP Form I-92 must be submitted for each vessel transporting passengers 

and shall include the following notations:

•	 First foreign port;

•	 Total number of U.S. citizen passengers on board;

•	 Total number of alien passengers on board; and

•	 Name, address, and phone number of ship’s agent.

*

* Form is not expired for CBP purposes.
14 Vessel Inspection Guide

Departure Record

CBP Form I-94 Departure Record

Departure Record

CBP Form I-94 Departure Record

A properly endorsed CBP Form I-94 Departure 

Record notes:

•	 The port of departure from the United States;

•	 Date of departure from the United States;

•	 Name of shipping line or agent; and

•	 Name of vessel.
Vessel Inspection Guide 15

Entry Requirements for Crew

Document Requirements for Crew

All crew members must be presented for inspection upon arrival of the vessel. Crew members working on 

board cruise vessels may only be subject to an “in-person muster” of the crew every 90 days after the initial 

inspection, provided that the crew member is not in the United States for more than an aggregate of 29 days 

between inspections. All crew members arriving in the United States must be in possession of documents as 

follows:

1. U.S. citizens on board U.S.-flagged commercial vessels:

a. Merchant Mariner Z-Card*

*Coast Guard regulations require that U.S. citizen crew of U.S.-flagged vessels must be in possession of Merchant Mariner 

Card (Z-Card).

b. Proof of U.S. citizenship

2. U.S. citizens aboard foreign-flagged vessels arriving from the Western Hemisphere:

a. WHTI compliant documents

3. U.S. citizens aboard foreign flagged vessels arriving from the Eastern Hemisphere:

a. U.S. passport

4. Residents of the United States arriving on board any vessel from any port or place outside the United States 

must be in possession of one of the following documents:

a. DHS Form I-551 (Permanent Resident Card)

b. CIS Form I-327 (Re-entry Permit)

c. ADIT Stamp

d. CIS Form I-571 (Refugee Travel Document)

e. CIS Form I-512 (Advance Authorization for Parole)

f. CIS Form I-688 (Temporary Resident Card)

5. Nonimmigrant Crew – All nonimmigrant crew members arriving aboard any vessel from any foreign port 

must be in possession of the following to be eligible for conditional landing permits:

a. Passport or Seaman’s Book

b. Visa with D classification

c. Exceptions

» Exempt passport and D visa (Citizens of Canada or Bermuda arriving from the Western Hemisphere).

» Exempt D visa only (Citizens of Canada or Bermuda arriving from the Eastern Hemisphere).

Nonimmigrant crew members may not be employed aboard any U.S.-based fishing vessel in a D 

classification. Any such crew members will be detained on board the vessel. Please see the Carrier 

Information Guide, Part I for WHTI compliant documents.
16 Vessel Inspection Guide

Visa Requirements for Crew Members

All nonimmigrant crew members (with certain exceptions as noted) must be in possession of a passport or 

seaman’s book and crew visa, known as a D visa, when arriving in the United States on board any vessel. There 

are specific classes of visas issued to facilitate crew members’ transit to and/or arrival on a vessel. These classes 

of visas are:

D Visa - Issued to an individual crew member. It permits the crew member to request conditional landing 

privileges upon arrival in the United States on board the vessel. It also permits the master or agent to request 

a discharge and repatriation of the crew member. Crew members granted conditional landing privileges are 

authorized to remain in the United States only as long as the vessel remains in the United States, not to exceed 

29 days. 

C1 Visa - Permits the bearer to arrive in the United States and request direct and immediate transit through 

the United States. In the case of nonimmigrant crew members, it permits them to arrive in the United States 

(typically as an airline passenger) to request direct and immediate transit to their vessel. C1 visas do not permit 

the crew member to apply for conditional landing privileges. 

C1/D Visa - Dual-purpose visa permits the bearer to arrive in the United States in either the C1 or D 

classification.

Crew with no Visa - Nonimmigrant crew who arrive without a D visa are ineligible for conditional landing 

status. In the case of crew members without valid D visas, the inspecting CBP officer shall order them detained 

or removed at carrier expense on CBP Form I-259.

DHS Form I-193 (Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa) - In extenuating circumstances, crew 

members without valid D visas and/or passports may have the opportunity to present application for waiver 

of visa requirements upon payment of the associated fee. The CBP officer will adjudicate the application in a 

manner consistent with the circumstances.

The master is responsible for the safekeeping of travel documentation of all nonimmigrant crew. Crew 

members in possession of a D, C1, or C1/D visa are ineligible to adjust or change their status to another 

visa classification such as tourist, student, temporary worker, etc., or to extend their stay beyond the initial 

period of admission.
Vessel Inspection Guide 17

Crew Visas – Types and Classifications

U.S. Machine Readable Visa

1. D – Permits crew member to request conditional landing privileges upon arrival.

2. C1 – Permits crew member to request direct and immediate transit to the bearer’s vessel.

3. C1/D – Permits the bearer to request direct and immediate transit to the bearer’s vessel or to request 

conditional landing privileges upon arrival on a vessel as a crew member.
18 Vessel Inspection Guide

Crew Inspection

Arriving Crew

It is the responsibility of the owner, agent, or master to present all persons on board a vessel to a CBP officer 

for inspection, at the first port of entry to the United States. Likewise it is the responsibility of the owner, agent 

or master to ensure that all persons are properly documented for entry to the United States. The master is 

responsible for the safekeeping of all nonimmigrant crew member travel documents. All persons employed 

in any capacity on board any vessel arriving to the United States shall be detained on board the vessel by the 

master or agent until admitted or permitted to land by a CBP officer.

All crew members on board an arriving vessel should be presented for inspection as follows:

1. When and where directed by CBP officers;

2. In person;

3. With proper travel documents (passport and visa or other documentation as required);

4. With CBP Forms I-95 or I-184; and

5. With all names and biographical data properly listed on CBP Form I-418 (crew list).

Upon completion of inspection, the CBP officer will return each nonimmigrant crew members travel 

documents to the master for safekeeping. 

Discharge of Nonimmigrant Crew Members

Application to pay off or discharge a crew member, except a U.S. citizen or a legal Permanent Resident, must be 

made at a port where the vessel is located. A crew member is considered to have been discharged when he/she:

a. Resigns;

b. Is terminated;

c. Goes on leave; or

d. Is transferred to another vessel.

The following forms should be presented for each departing crew member:

1. CBP Form I-408 (listing the initial port of entry in the United States, arrival date, and notating the date and 

reason for discharge);

2. New CBP Form I-95;

3. Previous CBP Form I-95 from previous arrivals;

4. Proper travel documents for onward country (passport and visa or other documentation as required); and

5. Evidence of definite arrangements (airline tickets or reservations, ship’s employment, or transfer letter).

In addition, the following conditions must be met:

1. Crew member must adhere to departure instructions as annotated on the approved CBP Form I-408;
Vessel Inspection Guide 19

2. Crew member must have permission from a CBP officer prior to discharge; and

3. Ship must be in port at time of discharge.

There is no appeal of a CBP officer’s decision to grant or deny a discharge request.
20 Vessel Inspection Guide

Properly Completed CBP Form I-408

Application to Pay-Off or Discharge Alien Crewman

CBP Form I-408 should list each crew member being discharged from 

the vessel in the United States along with the appropriate biographical 

information. In addition it shall include the following notations:

•	 First port of arrival in the United States;

•	 Date of arrival in the United States;

•	 Date of discharge; and

•	 Circumstances of discharge.

Crew members traveling on the same itineraries may be listed on the 

same CBP Form I-408.
Vessel Inspection Guide 21

Parole

Crew members may be paroled at the port of entry, at the discretion of a CBP officer, in emergent 

circumstances. At the request of the CBP officer, the crew member must be presented for processing of port of 

entry paroles. The most common types of port of entry paroles are:

Medical Parole

Crew members may be paroled for medical treatment. In such cases the following forms and conditions 

are required:

1. CBP Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) - Lines 1 through 17 completed.

2. CBP Form I-259 (Notice to Detain, Remove, or Present Alien).

3. CBP Form I-510 (Guarantee of Payment).

4. Appropriate fee paid.

5. Evidence of medical condition. The owner, agent, or master will provide an explanation of medical 

conditions and approximate length of time for treatment. The submission of a physician’s letter stipulating 

such may be required.

6. Termination of parole. The owner, agent, or master is responsible to notify CBP of the termination of a 

crew member’s medical treatment and his/her departure from the United States.

Parole to Depart Foreign under Safeguard

Upon request of the owner, agent, or master to discharge a crew member, a CBP officer may, at his/her 

discretion, order a nonimmigrant crew member to be removed from the United States under safeguard. Typical 

circumstances warranting parole for removal under safeguard are:

1. Crew member’s employment was terminated prior to end of contract.

2. Crew member has resigned prior to end of contract.

3. Crew member has prior violations under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

4. Crew member has committed a criminal or violent act.

5. Crew member is ineligible for conditional landing rights.

6. CBP officer believes that crew member is at risk to abscond/desert.

In such cases the following forms are required:

1. CBP Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) – Lines 1 through 7 completed;

2. CBP Form I-259 (Notice to Detain, Remove, or Present Alien); and

3. Documentary evidence of arrangements for departure from the United States.

In the event a crew member has been ordered to depart the United States under safeguard, the owner, agent, or 

master is responsible to ensure the crew member’s departure under the terms and conditions prescribed on CBP 

Form I-259 at the carrier’s expense.
22 Vessel Inspection Guide

Properly Completed Medical Parole Forms

Updated CBP Form I-259 – Notice to Detain, 

Remove, or Present Alien

CBP Form I-94

CBP Form I-510 – Guarantee of Payment

In addition to the forms depicted here, 

the owner, agent, or master will provide 

an explanation of medical conditions and 

approximate length of time for treatment. The 

submission of a physician’s letter stipulating such 

may be required.
Vessel Inspection Guide 23

Properly Completed CBP Form I-259

For Parole to Depart Foreign under Safeguard

In the event a crew member has been ordered to depart the United States under safeguard, the 

CBP officer will serve the owner, agent, or master with CBP Form I-259.
24 Vessel Inspection Guide

90-Day Crew Inspections

Cruise ships with itineraries originating in the United States and terminating in the United States are eligible to 

be processed under the 90 day Crew Exception. Under this policy, cruise vessel crew need only be presented for 

an in-person inspection upon initial arrival. Subsequent arrivals within the next 90 days may not be required 

as long as the crew member has not been in the United States for more than an aggregate of 29 days. This does 

not exempt crew members who have engaged on the vessel after the initial inspection, nor does it relieve the 

owner, master, or agent from complying with regulations relating to the discharge or parole of crew members. 

CBP retains the authority to conduct a full or partial inspection at any time without notice.

Detention of Crew

All persons employed in any capacity on board any vessel in the United States shall be detained on board the 

vessel at the port of arrival by the master or agent of such vessel until admitted or otherwise permitted to land 

by a CBP officer.

When a nonimmigrant crew member is refused a conditional landing permit for any reason, CBP Form I-95 

presented by him/her at time of application for conditional landing status shall be endorsed “Permission to 

land temporarily at all U.S. ports is refused.” The CBP Form I-95 with travel documents will be surrendered 

to the master or agent of the vessel. CBP Form I-259 (Notice to Detain, Remove, or Present Alien) bearing the 

names of each detained crew member shall be served upon the agent or master.

Deserters/Absconded Crew Members

A deserter is a crew member who has been granted D-1 or D-2 status and a conditional landing permit but 

does not depart when required. An absconder is a crew member that has been refused a landing permit and is 

ordered detained on board but departs the vessel without permission.

The owner, agent or master is required to report immediately, by telephone, the desertion or absconding of a 

nonimmigrant crew member to the CBP office at the location of the incident. In addition, the following forms 

and documents are required:

1. Completed CBP Form I-409 (Report for Deserting Crewman);

2. A letter from the owner, agent, or master providing details of the incident;

3. The passport or travel document of the deserting/absconded crew member; and

4. Abscondee/deserter will be listed on the CBP Form I-418 traveling manifest to indicate they are no longer 

on the vessel.

Mustering

CBP officers may re-board a vessel to insure that detained crew members have remained on board or that 

all crew members are present for a ship’s departure. A CBP officer may revoke a crew member’s conditional 

landing permit at any time subsequent to the initial inspection.
Vessel Inspection Guide 25

Voluntary Departure

Crew members on vessels arriving in the United States are granted landing privileges up to the 29 day statutory 

limit. Changes of status or extensions of status are not allowed under the “D” classification.

In case of emergency, or operational mishap, a vessel may need to remain beyond the 29 days in the 

United States. In such instances, the master or agent may request Voluntary Departure by presenting a copy of 

the CBP Form I-418 and CBP Forms I-95 for all crew.

In instances where the vessel will remain beyond 29 days in the United States, the master or agent of the vessel 

must present a copy of the CBP Form I-418 and CBP Forms I-95 for all crew members. The CBP officer will 

prepare a CBP Form I-259 and serve the original to the master of the vessel. The CBP officer must then endorse 

CBP Form I-95 with the voluntary departure period.

It is very important to note that sailing to international or foreign waters without calling at a foreign port does 

not constitute departure from the United States.

A master who wishes to request Voluntary Departure must do so in writing. The master must present the 

following:

•	 CBP Form I-418 listing the crew on board;

•	 A letter from the company or vessel stating reasons necessary for stay in the United States over 29 days and 

proposed departure information; and

•	 CBP Forms I-95 issued to all crew members at time of arrival.

If no one will depart the vessel, the CBP Form I-259 must be completed to detain the crew on board.
26 Vessel Inspection Guide

Properly Completed Forms for Detention of Crew Member

CBP Form I-95 with refused stamp (top) and CBP Form I-259 (bottom)

OMB N0. 1651-0114 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection 

C R EWM A N ’S L A NDI NG PERMIT

 Expires 02/28/2015 

Family Name Given Name Initial 

Home Address Address in United States

Hair Eyes Ht. Wt. 

Date of Birth 

Place of Birth 

Passport Number/Nationality

 

Arrived by Air Sea 

 CBP Form I-95 (02/12) 

FIN or “A” No. 

JONES Allen

123 Main St., Manila, Philippines ACME Shipping Co., Miami, FL

BLK BR 5’7” 150 lbs

June 15, 1972

Philippines

x

M/V Seaworthy

 

If a crew member is ordered 

detained on board a vessel, the 

inspecting CBP officer will serve 

the owner, agent, or master with 

CBP Form I-259 and stamp the 

notation “refused” on the crew 

member’s CBP Form I-95.
Vessel Inspection Guide 27

Properly Completed CBP Form I-409 Report of Deserting Crewman
28 Vessel Inspection Guide

Passengers

All passengers arriving to the United States on board any vessel (commercial or private) must comply with 

standard document requirements based on their nationality, immigration status and point of embarkation.

In addition to those holding tickets for passage, the following persons are also considered passengers on 

commercial vessels:

Guest/Family Members

Un-ticketed persons granted permission to travel on board the vessel by the owner, agent or master are 

considered passengers.

For example, a child of a crew member, guest of owner, or other individuals commonly referred to as 

supernumeraries.

Contract Workers

Persons who work on board the vessel, but do not meet the definition of crew because the work they perform 

while on board the vessel is not required for the normal operation of the vessel are considered passengers.

These workers are typically on board to fulfill a contractual or service agreement.

Examples of contract workers are: guarantee/warranty engineers, carpenters, painters, or certain classes of 

entertainers in possession of nonimmigrant work visas. Work (other than service of a guarantee/warranty 

nature) cannot be performed by contract workers while the vessel is in dry dock.

Castaways

Persons in distress or rescued at sea will be presented as passengers. There will be no fines, liability to the 

owner, agent or master for transporting improperly documented passengers under these circumstances.

Smuggled Persons

Any person provided passage for the purpose of entering the United States in violation of immigration laws is a 

smuggled person and would be considered a passenger. 

Important Notes on Transporting Passengers

1. Provision of the visa waiver program apply only to passengers making an initial entry to the United States 

on a transportation line that has signed an agreement with CBP to transport passengers under this program 

and who meet its requirements.

2. Persons admitted to the United States under the VWP within the previous 90 days and who have traveled 

only to Canada, Mexico and or adjacent islands, may be transported to the United States on a non signatory 

carrier without penalty.

3. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) - ESTA is a web-based system for the collection of 

information on the VWP nationals prior to boarding U.S.-bound air or sea carriers. Registration in ESTA 

is mandatory for citizens of all 36 countries. Please visit http://esta.cbp.dhs.gov for more information 

about ESTA.
Vessel Inspection Guide 29

Great Lakes

The following exceptions apply to vessels of United States, Canadian or British registry engaged solely in traffic 

on the Great Lakes or the St. Lawrence River and connecting waterways.

Arrival Manifests

Arrival and departure manifests shall not be required unless: 1) Nonimmigrant crew members will perform 

longshore work in the United States; and 2) The vessel employs crew members of other than U.S., Canadian, 

or British citizenship. In such cases, after submission of a manifest on the first voyage of a calendar year, 

a manifest shall not be required on subsequent arrivals unless a nonimmigrant crew member other than 

Canadian or British citizenship is engaged or there is a change in performance of longshore work.

Crew Inspection

U.S. vessels and tugboats - An immigration examination shall not be required of any crew member aboard a 

U.S.-registered vessel who has been examined and admitted by an immigration officer as a crew member of 

the same vessel or any other vessel of the same company during the current calendar year.

Canadian or British vessels or tugboats - A nonimmigrant crew member need not be presented for inspection 

if said crew member:

1. Serves aboard a Great Lakes vessel of Canadian or British registry or aboard a tugboat of Canadian or British 

registry arriving at a U.S. port-of-entry from Canada.

2. Seeks admission for a period of 29 days or fewer.

3. Has, during the current calendar year, been inspected and admitted by a CBP officer as a member of the 

crew of the same vessel or tugboat, or of any other vessel or tugboat of the same company.

4. Is either a British or Canadian citizen or is in possession of a valid CBP Form I-95 previously issued to him 

or her as a member of the crew of the same vessel or tugboat, or of any other vessel or tugboat of the same 

company.

5. Does not request or require landing privileges in the United States beyond the time the vessel or tugboat 

will be in port.

6. Will depart to Canada with the vessel or tugboat.
30 Vessel Inspection Guide

Ferry Operations

CBP considers ferries to fall in two categories:

1. Ferries that primarily transport passengers and/or vehicles providing a continuation of the highway from 

one side of the water to the other and which is offered as a service normally attributed to a bridge or 

tunnel. CBP considers these ferry operations an extension of land border inspections, and the signatory 

carrier requirements are not applicable.

2. Ferries that go beyond a quick trip normally attributed to a bridge or tunnel extending the highway from 

one side of the water to the other and are more like vessel operations. These ferry crossing are typically 

several hours in duration and CBP considers them seaport inspections. Accordingly, these ferry companies 

must be signature to the VWP to transport eligible passengers making an initial entry to the United States.
Vessel Inspection Guide 31

Pre-Inspections

Cruise ship passengers may be pre-inspected by CBP officers in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, prior 

to their departure to the United States. In such cases, passengers arriving in the United States on board 

such vessels do not need to be presented for immigration inspection. During cruise ship pre-inspection all 

passengers must be presented in person with appropriate travel documents and CBP Forms I-94/I-94W 

if applicable.

There are various circumstances determining whether ship’s crews will be pre-inspected. Please consult 

Vancouver CBP management for additional information. If crew is pre-inspected, the following forms and 

conditions are required:

1. A list of crew disembarking in Canada.

2. CBP Form I-418 (Arrival Crew List) listing all crew members departing for the United States. This is 

considered an Arrival Manifest. The heading of CBP Form I-418 should note Vancouver as both the Arrival 

Port and the Last Foreign Port along with the appropriate date.

3. CBP Form I-418 (Departure Crew List) listing of all crew members departing for Vancouver from the last 

U.S. port. This is considered a Departure Manifest. The heading of CBP Form I-418 should note Vancouver 

as the first port on which carrier arrived in United States this trip along with the appropriate date.

4. CBP Form I-418 listing crew members who joined or departed the vessel in the last U.S. port.

5. Any additional forms processed at the last U.S. port.

6. Notification to CBP of any deserters, abscondees, stowaways, or problems with crew members.

Closed Loop Cruises

The processing of travelers on closed-loop, U.S.-based ships returning from contiguous territory or adjacent 

islands may be facilitated through expedited USC processing if all closed loop conditions are satisfied.

Closed-loop cruises are defined as cruises with itineraries that both originate and terminate in the 

United States. For example, if a ship leaves from Fort Lauderdale, stops at an adjacent island, and returns to Fort 

Lauderdale, this is a closed-loop cruise. Cruises that begin in a foreign country, or embark new passengers in a 

foreign port of call, are not inspected as a “closed-loop” arrival and will be processed as a foreign arrival.
32 Vessel Inspection Guide

Private Vessels 

All persons on board private vessels are subject to the associated documentary conditions for arrival into the 

United States. Provisions of the VWP do not apply to persons entering the United States on board private vessels 

on initial entry.

Persons operating, piloting, working, or otherwise employed on board private vessels, not regularly engaged in 

commercial carriage of goods and passengers may be considered crew members. Such persons may be admitted 

or otherwise permitted to land while in possession of visas either the D (crew) category or the B (business) 

category.

The provisions in this guide relating to the presentation of arrival and departure manifest shall not apply to a 

private vessel not engaged directly or indirectly in the carriage of persons or cargo for hire.

The information contained in this guide does not exempt persons arriving on private vessels from the 

requirements of inspection by a CBP officer upon arrival in the United States. All persons arriving in the 

United States by sea must be inspected by a CBP officer at a designated port of entry. 
Vessel Inspection Guide 33

Stowaways

Notification

The owner, agent, or master of a vessel must immediately report to CBP the actual or suspected presence of 

stowaways and are responsible for the detention of stowaways.

Detention of Stowaways

All alien stowaways must be detained on board the vessel in order to be presented for inspection. Responsibility 

for the detention of the stowaway is absolute, even if the stowaway presence is unknown. Stowaways are to be 

treated in a humane and dignified manner. 

Removal of Stowaways

Typically, the stowaway will be ordered detained and removed from the United States on board the vessel 

of arrival. The master of the vessel may request that a stowaway be removed from the United States by 

other means of transportation where compelling or emergent reasons exist. Permission for removal of the 

stowaway by other means is at the discretion of CBP, but all costs relating to the stowaways removal as well as 

responsibility of obtaining travel documents, remain with the carrier. Detention pending removal will be in 

CBP custody. All detention expenses are the responsibility of the owner of the vessel of arrival.

Credible Fear Claim by Stowaways

Stowaways expressing a credible fear of prosecution in their homelands may apply for asylum in the 

United States. Such persons will be removed from the vessel, and taken into CBP custody. All costs of detention 

of the stowaway, pending a decision in an asylum claim, are the responsibility of the owner of the vessel.
34 Vessel Inspection Guide

Potential Victims of Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is involuntary, involves forced exploitation of a person through physical and/or 

psychological coercion, and is a crime against a person’s human rights. Human trafficking differs from human 

smuggling in several ways but the exploitation of a person is what separates one from the other. Smuggling is 

voluntary and generally the relationship with the smuggler ends after the border crossing.

As a member of the transportation industry, you are in the unique position to observe passengers which 

provides you with the opportunity to view indicators that would otherwise remain unknown. Some common 

indicators of human trafficking are:

•	 Does the person have control of his or her own travel and identification documents?

•	 Does the person have freedom of movement and social interaction?

•	 Does the person have reasonable knowledge and means of reaching his or her final destination?

•	 Is the child traveler accompanied by his or her real parent/guardian?

Death is not the only 

way to lose your life. Be alert. Be strong. Be free.

Stop Human Trafficking

You have rights in the United States regardless of

your visa status.

• Did someone take away your ID or documents?

• Is someone forcing you to work for them to 

pay off a debt?

• Is someone forcing you to work or have sex 

against your will?

• Is someone threatening or hurting you or 

your family?

If yes, don’t be afraid to ask for help. 

CALL TOLL-FREE, 24 HOURS: 1–888–373–7888

Photo by Kay Chernush, U.S. Department of State

CBP officers are trained to identify potential 

victims of human trafficking. In addition, they may 

discreetly warn travelers by providing them with 

human trafficking information cards (tear cards), 

see image. These cards are available in Arabic, 

Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), 

English, French, French Creole, Hindi, Indonesian, 

Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, 

Thai, and Vietnamese.

All persons in the United States, even those here 

illegally, are protected by and subject to U.S. 

laws. CBP works closely with Homeland Security 

Investigations (HSI) and other federal partners 

to ensure that victims of human trafficking will 

be protected, given safe haven, and referred 

for medical or other assistance. You can report 

suspected human trafficking by calling the HSI 

tip-line at 866–347–2423 (from Canada, Mexico, 

or the United States) or at 802–872–6199 (from 

any country), or online at www.ice.gov/tips. Your 

tip can be provided anonymously. The tip line 

is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by 

specially trained HSI personnel.
Vessel Inspection Guide 35

Index of Forms and Documents

CBP Form I-92 Aircraft/Vessel Report (Arrival)

CBP Form I-92 Aircraft/Vessel Report (Departure)

CBP Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record

CBP Form I-94A Departure Record

CBP Form I-95 Conditional Landing Permit

Form I-184 Alien Crewman Landing Permit and Identification Card

DHS Form I-193 Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa

CBP Form I-259 Notice to Detain, Remove or Present Alien (Depart Foreign under Safeguard)

CBP Form I-408 Application to Payoff or Discharge Alien Crew

CBP Form I-409 Report of Deserting Crewman

CBP Form I-418 Crew List (Arrival/Departure)

CBP Form I-510 Guarantee of Payment

Crew Visas
36 Vessel Inspection Guide

Subject Index

Absconded crew, 24

Bermudan citizen

crew visa exemptions, 15

CBP Form I-94 arrival/departure records, 5

British citizen

conditional landing permit, 5, 7

Great Lakes exceptions, 29

Canadian citizen

conditional landing permit, 5, 7

crew visa exemptions, 16

Great Lakes exceptions, 29

CBP Form I-94 arrival/departure records, 5

Castaways, 28

Closed loop cruises, 31

Contract workers, 28

Crew inspection, 18, 19, 29

Deserting crew, 24

Detention on board vessel, 24, 26

Discharge of crew, 20, 21, 22

Ferries, 30

Fishing vessels, 15

Great Lakes, 29

Guests/family members (of crew), 28

Human trafficking, 34

Longshore work, 5

Manifest, arrival, 5, 6, 29, 31, 32

Manifest, departure, 12, 29, 31, 32

Mustering, 24

Nonimmigrant crew

arrival manifests, 5

departure manifests, 12

documentary requirements, 15

visa requirements, 16, 17

Parole

medical, 21, 22

depart foreign under safeguard, 21, 23

Passengers

documentary requirements, 28

private vessels, 32

Passport/visa waiver application, 16, 19

Permanent resident crew

arrival manifests, 5

departure manifests, 11

documentary requirements, 15

Smuggled persons, 28

Stowaway

credible fear claim, 33

detention, 33

notification, 33

removal, 33

signed certification, 4

U.S. citizen crew

arrival manifests, 5

departure manifests, 11

documentary requirements, 15

Visas

B visa, 32

D visa, 16, 17, 32

C1 visa, 16, 17

C1/D visa, 17

no visa (DHS Form I-193) 16, 19

Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

ESTA, 28

private vessels, 32

signatory requirement, 28, 30

revalidation, 30

Voluntary departure, 25

90-day crew inspection, 15, 24

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

12825 Worldgate Drive, Building III

Mailstop 1340

Herndon, VA 20598–1340

www.cbp.gov

July 2012

CBP Publication No. 0400–1109