How to Obtain Your C1/D Visa:
A Guide for South African and Zimbabwean Candidates Joining Viking Cruises

If Viking Cruises has offered you a position, congratulations. Before you can join your ship, however, you need to obtain a C1/D visa.

This is a United States transit and crew visa. It allows you to fly to the U.S., or pass through it, on your way to your assigned vessel.

At Waitre d’ Recruitment, we have guided thousands of candidates from South Africa and Zimbabwe through this process. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you secure your visa with confidence.

What is a C1/D visa?

It combines two permissions:

• C1 (transit visa) allows you to pass through the United States to join your ship.
• D (crew visa) permits you to work onboard a vessel operating in U.S. waters.

Most cruise ship crew need both, so the embassy issues them together as a single C1/D visa.

Step 1: Receive your job offer

You cannot apply for the visa until Viking Cruises has made you an official offer. You will need your letter of employment or assignment, along with your vessel details and joining instructions.

Viking issues these once you complete their recruitment process. We help you prepare and submit every document Viking requires for approval.

Step 2: Complete the DS-160 form online

Fill out the DS-160 visa application form on the U.S. Department of State website: https://ceac.state.gov/CEAC/

Select C1/D as your visa type and upload a recent passport-style photograph. Please take care with every personal and travel detail, because errors cause delays.

When you finish, print the DS-160 confirmation page. You must bring it to your visa appointment.

Step 3: Pay the MRV fee

The visa application fee is USD $185, and it is non-refundable.

Payment methods differ by country, so we guide you through the correct one for your location. Keep your receipt — the embassy requires it at your interview.

Step 4: Schedule your visa interview

Once you have submitted the DS-160 and paid the fee, book your appointment through the official system: https://ais.usvisa-info.com/

In South Africa, interviews take place in Johannesburg, Cape Town, or Durban. In Zimbabwe, they are held at the U.S. Embassy in Harare.

During booking, you also choose where the embassy should deliver your passport afterwards.

Step 5: Prepare for your interview

Bring the following documents:

• Your valid passport, with at least 12 months remaining
• Your DS-160 confirmation page
• Your appointment confirmation
• Your MRV fee payment receipt
• Your Viking employment letter and joining instructions
• Your seafarer’s medical certificate (PEME)
• Your STCW certificates, if you have completed them
• Your police clearance, if requested

Dress professionally. The consular officer will ask straightforward questions about your role, your employer, and your intentions, so answer clearly and honestly.

Step 6: Visa processing

If the embassy approves your application, they return your passport with the C1/D visa stamped inside. Processing usually takes 3 to 10 working days, though timing varies.

Your visa may be valid for up to five years. The consulate decides this at their discretion.

Renewing your C1/D visa

Are you returning to Viking with an expired C1/D visa? You may qualify for an interview waiver, depending on current embassy policy. We help you check your eligibility and guide you through the renewal.

How Waitre d’ supports you

We support every Viking candidate throughout the visa process. That includes help completing the DS-160, interview preparation, document checklists, and appointment scheduling.

Questions?

Our team is ready to help you at every step.

Email: info@waitred.co.za
Phone: +27 21 689 1065

Waitre d’ Recruitment — proudly recruiting for Viking Cruises since 2016.