Can ICE Agents Arrest Superyacht Crew in the United States?

Bahar O.

ICE agents can appear in marinas, ports, shipyards, and even at routine coastal inspections. For captains and crew, this makes understanding U.S. entry and work permissions essential.

Visa Requirements for Yacht Crew

Foreign crew typically enter under the C-1/D visa, which allows mariners to join and depart commercial vessels but prohibits any land-based work and requires departure within 29 days. However, other visa categories may also apply. The B1 visa is used by private yacht crew working on recreational vessels, and following recent regulatory changes, can now be used for crew working on both foreign-flagged and US-flagged yachts, though crew cannot be employed directly by a US entity or be on a US-registered payroll. This visa permits professional activities onboard but does not allow paid work ashore. Crew must demonstrate they have a residence abroad which they do not intend to abandon. The B1/B2 combination visa covers both business and tourism, with the B1 portion allowing professional yacht crew activities onboard and the B2 portion covering tourism and pleasure time ashore, but neither component authorizes land-based employment in the USA.

Please note that immigration regulations can change at any time, so it is important to verify current requirements with official US government sources or an immigration attorney before making travel plans.

Using the wrong visa, overstaying, or performing unauthorized work can lead to detention, financial penalties, or future entry bans. Yacht operators are therefore urged to verify every crew member’s documentation before entering U.S. waters to minimize legal exposure.

Are you looking for a crewed charter yacht?