VISA for Foreign Nationals
May 21st, 2008, 03:14 PM
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VISA for Foreign Nationals
I have found the answers to part of my quetions already but it took me a while and a bit of work. Does anyone knows what are the rules for VISA for foreign nationals at the varies ports of call from Mexico to Bahamas, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, etc etc?
I convinced my sister and her soon to be "new" husband to come crusie with us this November to the Western Caribbean on a maiden voyage for a brand new ship. She had a couple friends wanted to go and booked in as well. I get referral bonus for all of them so I am happy.
However, I just found out that they are not US Citizens. They have green cards but hold foreign passports. The question of VISAs came up and they ask their travel agent which referred them to the crusie line and the cruise line told them to contact all the varies Consulates. With 4 ports, you will have to make a lot of calls and apply for a lot of VISAs if they indeed needed VISAs.
I am surprised that the travel agent was not more helpful. I am even more surprised that the cruise line doesn't know the answers. I thought it is their business!
So, here are the questions:
(1) Does green card holders with a foreign passport need VISAs for any of the port of calls to get off the ship? And I know the answer may varies by port.
(2) How about foreign tourists who are not US residents but hold a valid VISA to visit the US (or Canada)? Do they need any VISAs for any ports of call?
I convinced my sister and her soon to be "new" husband to come crusie with us this November to the Western Caribbean on a maiden voyage for a brand new ship. She had a couple friends wanted to go and booked in as well. I get referral bonus for all of them so I am happy.
However, I just found out that they are not US Citizens. They have green cards but hold foreign passports. The question of VISAs came up and they ask their travel agent which referred them to the crusie line and the cruise line told them to contact all the varies Consulates. With 4 ports, you will have to make a lot of calls and apply for a lot of VISAs if they indeed needed VISAs.
I am surprised that the travel agent was not more helpful. I am even more surprised that the cruise line doesn't know the answers. I thought it is their business!
So, here are the questions:
(1) Does green card holders with a foreign passport need VISAs for any of the port of calls to get off the ship? And I know the answer may varies by port.
(2) How about foreign tourists who are not US residents but hold a valid VISA to visit the US (or Canada)? Do they need any VISAs for any ports of call?
May 21st, 2008, 04:06 PM
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Visas are documents of individual countries visiting - so it is the government of those countries who have this information. I would not trust either travel agent or cruiseline to get this information for me.
Make very, very sure that the terms of these foreign nationals admission to US (student visa, work visa, temporary visa, green card, etc) allows them to leave, visit several countries and return to US. Some entry documents do not allow this - and for this I would only trust US government as well - not people at Fodors, travel agent, cruiseline or well-meaning friends - this is too important.
Make very, very sure that the terms of these foreign nationals admission to US (student visa, work visa, temporary visa, green card, etc) allows them to leave, visit several countries and return to US. Some entry documents do not allow this - and for this I would only trust US government as well - not people at Fodors, travel agent, cruiseline or well-meaning friends - this is too important.
May 21st, 2008, 04:25 PM
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In addition to the countries being visited, it matters what their country of nationality is. Most countries being visited require visas for some nationalities but not others, and the terms of their visas can differ based on nationality. For one nationality, they may give a visa valid only for 90 days and for only one entry. For others, it could be a year and unlimited entries.
Gail rightly cautions you on the ability to return to the U.S. If they have green cards, no problem there. Green cards allow multiple entries into the U.S. without anything more. However, if they have any other type of visa (generally called nonimmigrant visas), it's going to depend on the type of visa (there's approximately 25 different types of nonimmigrant visas) and the nationality of the person.
If they have nonimmigrant visas,they may have used an attorney to get them. They should check with that attorney. If they decide to call the USCIS (the government agency responsible for much of immigration now that INS no longer exists), they should be very careful. USCIS has an 800 number, but they're notorious for giving bad information. Whatever answer they get, I'd suggest they call at least two more times to make sure they're getting the same answer.
State Dept. also has a role in this, but they're harder to reach.
Gail rightly cautions you on the ability to return to the U.S. If they have green cards, no problem there. Green cards allow multiple entries into the U.S. without anything more. However, if they have any other type of visa (generally called nonimmigrant visas), it's going to depend on the type of visa (there's approximately 25 different types of nonimmigrant visas) and the nationality of the person.
If they have nonimmigrant visas,they may have used an attorney to get them. They should check with that attorney. If they decide to call the USCIS (the government agency responsible for much of immigration now that INS no longer exists), they should be very careful. USCIS has an 800 number, but they're notorious for giving bad information. Whatever answer they get, I'd suggest they call at least two more times to make sure they're getting the same answer.
State Dept. also has a role in this, but they're harder to reach.
May 21st, 2008, 04:25 PM
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Don't be surprised cruise lines don't know the answers: it is not really their business. The regulations are different for each country, they are changing and cruise lines don't want to be responsible. Their business is to sell cruises, not visas. The answer to both of your questions is no, they don't need Caribbean ports visas. Visiting ports with cruise ship is not the same as entering a country. The exception is Canada e.g. Alaska cruise which requires transit Canadian visas for certain contries citizens. You will probably hear a lot of different answers and opinions, like I got from Mexican embassy before I found out the correct answer. They told me that Mexican visa is required even for US citizens! Sure, why not if they make money on it. Like Gail said, not too many people know or want to tell you the answer. But if you want to trust me, it'll save you time and money.
May 21st, 2008, 06:35 PM
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Spurs, visiting a country by cruise ship IS entering the country. There may be group visas available in that instance, but that's the only difference between entry by sea and entry by air or land when it comes to visa requirements. You simply cannot answer the question of whether a visa is needed without knowing what country is being entered and what the person's country of nationality is.
May 22nd, 2008, 08:27 AM
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Let me try (and I haven't read any replies, will try to answer and then compare)
"I am surprised that the travel agent was not more helpful." - change your travel agent! Find one who is either a former emigrant or knows how to get visas.
"I am even more surprised that the cruise line doesn't know the answers. I thought it is their business!" - no, it is not! Or at least they say it's our responsibility to check what travel documents and shots are needed to go to any port, and it's posted on each website.
(1) the answer varies not only by country, but also by port. The list of countries where visa is required is posted on the countries' consulate website.
By port - I think if you go to Mexico, for example, depends how "deep" you are going, a visa may or may not be needed.
(2) good question, and my guess would be a visa for a US port is not required, however a Canadian visa is required. Hey, folks, here is a brief geography lesson: Canada is a country separate from US. Surprise
So... how am I doing?
(and I haven't read any replies, will try to answer and then compare)"I am surprised that the travel agent was not more helpful." - change your travel agent! Find one who is either a former emigrant or knows how to get visas.
"I am even more surprised that the cruise line doesn't know the answers. I thought it is their business!" - no, it is not! Or at least they say it's our responsibility to check what travel documents and shots are needed to go to any port, and it's posted on each website.
(1) the answer varies not only by country, but also by port. The list of countries where visa is required is posted on the countries' consulate website.
By port - I think if you go to Mexico, for example, depends how "deep" you are going, a visa may or may not be needed.
(2) good question, and my guess would be a visa for a US port is not required, however a Canadian visa is required. Hey, folks, here is a brief geography lesson: Canada is a country separate from US. Surprise
So... how am I doing?
May 22nd, 2008, 11:25 AM
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Faina, I think you scored about 50% and this is very good because most people score close to 0. Also your knowledge of geography is amazing! When you get off the ship in Mexican or any Caribbean port, does anybody ask you for your nationality or visa? Nope. And what does it tell you? Visas are not required for cruisers in Caribbean ports of call, regardless of who they are - as long as they meet documents requirements for country of ship embarkation/disembarkations, which I understand is USA in this case. Different story is when you fly into one of these countries, and that's when the list of visa requirements comes into play.
May 22nd, 2008, 04:39 PM
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That's not it, spurs. The reason that nobody asks when you get off at a port is that the issues were addressed when you boarded, and when the ship cleared immigration.
You know how you give your passport to the cruise line when you board? If you weren't a US citizen, and were a citizen of a country for which a visa is required, the cruise line would be asking for that visa. If you didn't have it, you would not be allowed to board, since most countries will fine the cruise line if they deliver to that country's shores someone who does not have the right documents to enter the country.
What happens then is that, when a ship arrives at its first port in any given country, it gives all those passports and visas to the immigration authorities for inspection. That's why you're sometimes delayed in disembarking after you've arrived at a port--you're waiting for the authorities to "clear the ship." What they're clearing is the ability of the passengers and crew to enter the country. (In some countries, crew members of some nationalities are not allowed to disembark, and the ship will be fined if a crewman "escapes" and enters the country.)
This is true around the world. I am a U.S. citizen. When I took a cruise that stopped in China a couple of years ago I had to obtain a visa for China before I left. The cruise line's literature made it clear that I would not be allowed to board if I didn't have a Chinese visa. I gave them my passport with the visa in it when I boarded and never saw it again until I disembarked.
That ship also stopped in Japan. I didn't need a visa for Japan, because Japan does not require visas for US citizens coming for pleasure.
There's also another frequent approach--namely, to require a visa, but you don't have to get it ahead of time. Instead, you get it on arrival. Turkey does this for U.S. citizens (as well as citizens of many other countries). However it requires visas in advance for certain nationalities.
You know how you give your passport to the cruise line when you board? If you weren't a US citizen, and were a citizen of a country for which a visa is required, the cruise line would be asking for that visa. If you didn't have it, you would not be allowed to board, since most countries will fine the cruise line if they deliver to that country's shores someone who does not have the right documents to enter the country.
What happens then is that, when a ship arrives at its first port in any given country, it gives all those passports and visas to the immigration authorities for inspection. That's why you're sometimes delayed in disembarking after you've arrived at a port--you're waiting for the authorities to "clear the ship." What they're clearing is the ability of the passengers and crew to enter the country. (In some countries, crew members of some nationalities are not allowed to disembark, and the ship will be fined if a crewman "escapes" and enters the country.)
This is true around the world. I am a U.S. citizen. When I took a cruise that stopped in China a couple of years ago I had to obtain a visa for China before I left. The cruise line's literature made it clear that I would not be allowed to board if I didn't have a Chinese visa. I gave them my passport with the visa in it when I boarded and never saw it again until I disembarked.
That ship also stopped in Japan. I didn't need a visa for Japan, because Japan does not require visas for US citizens coming for pleasure.
There's also another frequent approach--namely, to require a visa, but you don't have to get it ahead of time. Instead, you get it on arrival. Turkey does this for U.S. citizens (as well as citizens of many other countries). However it requires visas in advance for certain nationalities.
May 23rd, 2008, 10:00 AM
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Since you don't mention what country they're from, no one can give you specifics - but as non-US citizens, they are familiar with the visa process - and all they have to do is check - by country - if their nationality requires a visa. They are the ones that have to do this - and Gail gave very good advice - make sure they have a visa that allows them to travel - some don't..... They need to take care of this right away.... If they are from Europe, they are probably fine - but there are other parts of the world that require visas in many countries...... Tell them to get on the web..... (here's how I do it - I'm a US citizen: If I'm going to Brazil, I'll type "brazil embassy us". I can determine if I need a visa from that - which I do).. So, if they are from Turkey, they would type "brazil embassy turkey" to find out if a Turkish citizen would need a visa to go to Brazil.... Exchange any country to want to go to with Brazil, and you get the drift. They really don't want to make a mistake with this.......
May 23rd, 2008, 11:23 AM
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I can't speak in general but as for Caribbean cruises, foreign nationals don't need visas for each port, in my experience. I cruised with friends from Romania and all they needed is US visas. Another time I met a couple from Brazil and they mentioned same thing. Had they gone on vacation in any of Caribbean countries, they would have needed visas for each country. I think most opinions here are confising entering the Caribbean country with visiting by ship. Visa requirements are relaxed for cruisers.
May 23rd, 2008, 02:25 PM
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Again, you ARE entering a country if you enter by cruise ship. Some countries will allow visas to be obtained on entry by certain nationalities, rather than in advance, but it's going to vary by country being entered and country of the person's citizenship. Anyone who just blithely decides it will be okay because it's only a cruise, without checking on whether an individual advance visa is required, is risking the money for the cruise, as the line will deny you boarding, and a lot of disapointment. Don't check here--check with the country's consulate, and make sure you make clear the nationality of the person traveling. I've had more than one client learn this the hard way.
May 24th, 2008, 06:55 PM
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Well, everyone, thanks for the input. First off, my sister and their friends lives out at small town USA and their travel agent is quite useless. I went to my TA and she has all the answers. I still feel the crusie line should be able to provide a bit more help.
I check out the info my TA gave me just to be sure. One thing that I found out is that the Nationality does matters.
Here is what I have found:
(1) If you have a green card (US Resident), you should have no problem unless your passprt is issued by Palestine. I was surprised that most countries do not recognize Palestine passports.
(2) If you are a tourist visiting the US, you will need a multi-entry Visa to the US as you need to get back into the US the end of the cruise.
In terms of the ports of call, most (and I stress the word MOST) Caribbean ports do not require a visa if you are crusiing, but there are exceptions. Cruise port visits via commercial cruises are treated differently (easier entry).
The info below applies to cruising entries only and the "quotes" are from the varies consulate web pages.
Mexico: "Passengers embarking on tourist cruises do not require a visa to visit Mexico regardless of their nationality; they only need to present a valid passport at points of entry." I should know this one as I never saw anyone from Mexican immigration at the port and no one ask for anything except for the cruise card. Not even a picture ID and that was last November.
Jamica: "Cruise Passengers of any nationality who intend to remain in the island during the stay of the vessel by which they arrived and to depart on the same vessel, are not required to hold passports."
Cayman Island: "Cruise ship passengers do not require visas to enter the Cayman Islands."
The Bamahas: For general entry, "US residents need only their GreenCard and a passport. No Visa required." I can't find cruise specific info.
What I have found is that there are lots of info for general entries but not specifically for cruise entries.
There are 3 web sites that I found useful and the links are below:
The US State Dept travel guide. The link is to their country index. It provides all travel information including travel alerts.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p.../cis_1765.html
Travel Document Systems. I think they are a visa service and this is the link to the country index. However, the info is for general entry and not specific to cruise entry.
http://www.traveldocumentsystems.com/nations.htm
The World Travel Guide. They are a travel info site with info on each country similar info to the US State Dept pages. If you search hard enough, you will find the entry/exit requirement info.
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/
Once again, thanks everyone for the input.
I check out the info my TA gave me just to be sure. One thing that I found out is that the Nationality does matters.
Here is what I have found:
(1) If you have a green card (US Resident), you should have no problem unless your passprt is issued by Palestine. I was surprised that most countries do not recognize Palestine passports.
(2) If you are a tourist visiting the US, you will need a multi-entry Visa to the US as you need to get back into the US the end of the cruise.
In terms of the ports of call, most (and I stress the word MOST) Caribbean ports do not require a visa if you are crusiing, but there are exceptions. Cruise port visits via commercial cruises are treated differently (easier entry).
The info below applies to cruising entries only and the "quotes" are from the varies consulate web pages.
Mexico: "Passengers embarking on tourist cruises do not require a visa to visit Mexico regardless of their nationality; they only need to present a valid passport at points of entry." I should know this one as I never saw anyone from Mexican immigration at the port and no one ask for anything except for the cruise card. Not even a picture ID and that was last November.
Jamica: "Cruise Passengers of any nationality who intend to remain in the island during the stay of the vessel by which they arrived and to depart on the same vessel, are not required to hold passports."
Cayman Island: "Cruise ship passengers do not require visas to enter the Cayman Islands."
The Bamahas: For general entry, "US residents need only their GreenCard and a passport. No Visa required." I can't find cruise specific info.
What I have found is that there are lots of info for general entries but not specifically for cruise entries.
There are 3 web sites that I found useful and the links are below:
The US State Dept travel guide. The link is to their country index. It provides all travel information including travel alerts.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p.../cis_1765.html
Travel Document Systems. I think they are a visa service and this is the link to the country index. However, the info is for general entry and not specific to cruise entry.
http://www.traveldocumentsystems.com/nations.htm
The World Travel Guide. They are a travel info site with info on each country similar info to the US State Dept pages. If you search hard enough, you will find the entry/exit requirement info.
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/
Once again, thanks everyone for the input.
May 27th, 2008, 09:15 AM
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"I went to my TA and she has all the answers. I still feel the crusie line should be able to provide a bit more help." - as a general rule, cruises and tours won't even talk to you if you've made reservations through a travel agents, unfortunately 
