Nautilus is advising members, especially those working on superyachts, to be aware of changes to the United States application procedures for B1/B2 visitor visas – changes which have already come into effect.
New user guidance from the United States Department of State, issued in September 2025, means that yacht crew seeking B1/B2 non-immigrant visas can no longer choose which embassy to use when applying.
Instead, crew must now book a visa interview appointment at the US embassy or consulate in their country of nationality.
Alternatively, applicants can go through the US embassy or consulate in their country of residence, but they will need to demonstrate residence when doing so (e.g. with utility bills or legal documentation).
'It's especially important to let people know about this, as directly after the Monaco Yacht Show many vessels and crew will head to the US for the autumn/winter season, and the changes have already taken effect,' said Nautilus strategic organiser for the yacht sector Laura Molineux.
'Please take this new arrangement into account and apply early if you can,' she added. 'It may prove a longer or more difficult process to get your visa, as the previous process meant that you could choose to apply at an embassy with a shorter waiting time, in a place where you were more likely to have your visa approved, or somewhere that was convenient based on your yacht's itinerary.'
Crew members who already have a US visa appointment booked are not likely to be affected. There are also some exceptions to the new guidance, including for medical emergencies. Nationals of countries such as Russia, where the US does not conduct routine visa operations, have been assigned designated processing locations.
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