How does your visa work when you work on a Cruise Ship?

Question

I am currently working in the UK on a working holiday visa. I always wanted to work on a cruise ship. Next week I have a interview for a job on a cruise ship. I have a little more than a year left on my visa. How do I go about finding out if I have to extend my visa or apply for a new one? At the moment I am really insure I don't know how visas work when you work on a cruise ship. Any information and advice would be really helpful. Thank you.

Answer 1

THE SAME WAY AS IF YOU WERE on land!!!!

Answer 2

You really should contact the office that issued you the Visa.  And, you need to ask that same question in your interview.  The cruise line will for sure have the answer, or steer you to the right place for the correct answer.

Answer 3

99% of countries do not require a visa when you are a Crew/Staff member.

You are listed as a crew member on the ship´s manifest and that's it.

However, the US does require a C1/D crewmember's visa.

Brazil requires if you are doing the so called "season", from November/December until March several ships stay within Brazilian waters, so for those you need one as well.

And some other countries still require a Seaman´s Book, which is sort of a passport for crew members and should be issued by either your country of citizenship or the country of the ship's flag (so a lot of people get the Bahamian one, since most ships have Bahamian flags, also it's cheap and you only have to apply). Of the ones I remember require a Seaman's Book, Russia, Australia and Brazil. Some other Baltic countries as well.

A Letter of employment from the cruise line or the concessionary that is hirering you is enough for the visa.

Also, if you are flying into a country to embark the ship the company will grant you a letter explaining to immigration officials that you will join the "so and so" ship in ... say Southampton or so.

Usually immigration officials are quite nice about it.

good luck with your interview, is it P&O? Hardings?