D-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa which allows travel to United States for those serving as a crewman on marine vessel or aircraft , who will depart on a different vessel than that on which they arrived . Those who will depart on the same vessel would normally instead qualify for a D-1 visa . Individuals are not eligible for a D-1 visa if their vessel is in dry dock , is a fishing vessel , they are a coasting officer , or if they are destined for the outer continental shelf . The maximum duration of stay is 29 days . Travelers may present a seaman 's book rather than a passport as identification . Those serving on a private yacht normally would not be eligible unless they are sailing out of a foreign home port , and will be in US waters for more than 29 days
seaman 's book
Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention, 1958
D-2 visa