Visa policies differ when arriving by sea?

[virginia boy]

My partner is Ukrainian, and in some cases is required to apply for e-visas apply for a visa from a Ukrainian embassy/consulate. With all the uncertainties and the inability to schedule accurately when traveling by boat, how do people manage the complexities of visas and itineraries? If I need to stop for repairs etc with my Ukrainian girlfriend onboard will she be denied permission to leave the boat? Will I be denied entry if one of my crew doesn’t have pre-authorization/visa? If this is the case then island hopping would be impossible. Any suggestions or comments welcome?

[Jammer]

There isn't a magick bullet.


The situation varies depending on the specific countries you're visiting and how long you plan to stay. You may have to get visas in advance. You may be able to use a visa service to avoid the need to visit consulates in person however this will increase costs.


Noonsite is a good starting point for planning.


If you want more specific advice post your proposed itinerary or at least the countries of concern.

[JPA Cate]

Jammer's spot on about this. I just wanted to say that some countries are suspicious of some other countries, and people with those passports have a harder time. For your partner, this could be a problem some places, but not others.

Our experience in the South Pacific was that one obtained the visa for the next place before leaving the present one, and it was not a problem. The term of the visa would begin when we cleared customs, immigration and quarantine. With the pandemic, there shall have been changes, but we, personally have not experienced them.

Ann

[belizesailor]

Also note that she may not just be denied permission to leave the boat, but you (boat and all) may be denied permission to enter the country period.

[Jammer]

One point I missed earlier is that in most cases, visas aren't issued for specific arrival and departure dates -- they ordinarily have some flexibility. After applying you might expect to receive, for example, authorization for multiple entries to a particular country for up to 30 days for each stay over, say, a six month period. There are exceptions particularly where the relationships between the nation of citizenship and the nation being visited are poor, and in those cases a particular itinerary might be spelled out.


I think it's worth pointing out that even with some of the most widely accepted passports in the world (e.g. Japan, Sweden, Netherlands) there are some countries where formalities are more complex and costs and restrictions more problematic.


It's just one more consideration when planning an itinerary.

[Tomodore]

As previous posters mentioned one answer does not cover all countries. We sailed into Ecuador and our research showed a typical 3 month visa with 3 month extension. Turned out that boat and crew had one year clearance till we flew to Peru starting the expected 3 month timeframe.The boat was okay for a year. Details matter.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Also note that she may not just be denied permission to leave the boat, but you (boat and all) may be denied permission to enter the country period.

This is more the case, so it is imperative that you figure things out as best as possible prior to arriving. This doesn't mean when you arrive those are the rules that will be followed. In most countries, 1st and 3rd world, immigration officiers are given wide latitude to make decisions on the front line.

As far the difference arriving by sea vs say air, some countries treat you like commercial seamen, some like tourists and some in between. The US, for example, requires foreign cruisers (except Canadians) to obtain a B1/B2 visa prior to arrival. A generally expensive and time consuming task.

[CarinaPDX]

About 15 years ago a couple of women I know were in the OP's position, more or less. The skipper was travelling on a Canadian passport, which is widely welcomed. Her crew was Russian, and in her case there were issues with her documents. They left from Turkey, bound for British Columbia. Some ports allowed them a limited stay for repairs/reprovision, some allowed longer stays, and on occasion they were turned away. Gibraltar allowed them to refuel on the way out but no going ashore. The problem at the time was widespread suspicion of young women from ex-Soviet countries as there was a lot of sex trafficking then. A big issue was the Russian woman's documents which the OP shouldn't have. The point I would make is that they succeeded in travelling the length of the Med, across the Atlantic and Caribbean, through the Panama Canal, then north to finally arrive in Victoria. The OP will not encounter the problems they had due to their documents, but the point is that where there is a will there is a way. There will be bureaucratic headaches from time to time and not every door may be open but there is room for an adventure.

Greg

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by CarinaPDX

About 15 years ago a couple of women I know were in the OP's position, more or less. The skipper was travelling on a Canadian passport, which is widely welcomed. Her crew was Russian, and in her case there were issues with her documents. They left from Turkey, bound for British Columbia. Some ports allowed them a limited stay for repairs/reprovision, some allowed longer stays, and on occasion they were turned away. Gibraltar allowed them to refuel on the way out but no going ashore. The problem at the time was widespread suspicion of young women from ex-Soviet countries as there was a lot of sex trafficking then. A big issue was the Russian woman's documents which the OP shouldn't have. The point I would make is that they succeeded in travelling the length of the Med, across the Atlantic and Caribbean, through the Panama Canal, then north to finally arrive in Victoria. The OP will not encounter the problems they had due to their documents, but the point is that where there is a will there is a way. There will be bureaucratic headaches from time to time and not every door may be open but there is room for an adventure.

Greg

Agreed.

It is important to remember that Customs and Immigration and Quarantine are all separate bureaucracies: it is Customs who determines the length of time for the boat before importation applies, and other things you temporarily import into the country; Immigration decides lengths of stays and how many entries and exits--it's focus is on the people involved; and although all three may be represented by one man, Quarantine has various restrictions, mostly on importation of food, but also other goods such as you might buy for souvenirs, and they confiscate.

All the places we've been, they appreciate it if you behave friendly, and dress better than if you're just schlepping around on your boat.

All your entries and exits are followed by computer technologies, and all the countries have access to it.

Ann

[Paul L]

Not sure using 15 year old anecdotes applies to today. In Covid season getting immigration and health approvals is far tougher than it used to be, your travel credentials are looked at much closer and the list of ever changing rules is a mile long. I'm sitting among a bunch of cruisers in the Indian Ocean. They all have a Plan A followed by Plan B to M. Each one has to take into account the passports of the crew.

[CarinaPDX]

Right now almost no one is going anywhere. I have to assume the OP was talking about future plans, for after the crisis part of the pandemic is past. And certainly there has been a big change in the past 15 years as the EU has become increasingly hostile to refugees and asylum seekers, resulting in more rigid enforcement of immigration laws. And with the gradual expansion of the EU (sans Brexit) there are fewer places to "reset the clock" while in Europe. Outside of the relatively cozy industrial world of Europe and North America it is not unusual to require visas be obtained in advance. It is often a matter of reciprocity - if the U.S. is scrutinizing potential visitors from a country then U.S. citizens can expect the same in return. Some of our friends from Down Under get better treatment in the EU than Americans (or at least used to), because they are more welcoming to them. So the OP is right to notice that a Ukraine national is going to complicate visa requirements in some places. It may even become a PITA. But still worth doing; just plan ahead and get the visas in advance, usually at the preceding country. Don't be discouraged.

Greg

[osprey877]

Originally Posted by Paul L

The US, for example, requires foreign cruisers (except Canadians) to obtain a B1/B2 visa prior to arrival. A generally expensive and time consuming task.

The USA, and perhaps other countries as well, require the visa unless you arrive at a land crossing, or by a commercial air carrier or commercial passenger vessel. This is so they can refuse you entry if they want and either turn you back at the land border (ie Canada or Mexico) or require the commercial carrier to return you to from whence you came. If you arrive on a private vessel the border authorities have no easy way of refusing you entry and removing you, hence the visa requirement.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by osprey877

The USA, and perhaps other countries as well, require the visa unless you arrive at a land crossing, or by a commercial air carrier or commercial passenger vessel. This is so they can refuse you entry if they want and either turn you back at the land border (ie Canada or Mexico) or require the commercial carrier to return you to from whence you came. If you arrive on a private vessel the border authorities have no easy way of refusing you entry and removing you, hence the visa requirement.

I really can't follow your logic here. If you enter by sea on a private yacht you can be turned away by Immigration. If you don't have B1/B2 visa and you are not Canadian, you will be turned away.
Getting a B1 visa is expensive and time consuming.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by CarinaPDX

Right now almost no one is going anywhere. I have to assume the OP was talking about future plans, for after the crisis part of the pandemic is past. And certainly there has been a big change in the past 15 years as the EU has become increasingly hostile to refugees and asylum seekers, resulting in more rigid enforcement of immigration laws. And with the gradual expansion of the EU (sans Brexit) there are fewer places to "reset the clock" while in Europe. Outside of the relatively cozy industrial world of Europe and North America it is not unusual to require visas be obtained in advance. It is often a matter of reciprocity - if the U.S. is scrutinizing potential visitors from a country then U.S. citizens can expect the same in return. Some of our friends from Down Under get better treatment in the EU than Americans (or at least used to), because they are more welcoming to them. So the OP is right to notice that a Ukraine national is going to complicate visa requirements in some places. It may even become a PITA. But still worth doing; just plan ahead and get the visas in advance, usually at the preceding country. Don't be discouraged.

Greg

Relating go no one going anywhere right now: A friend runs a couple of Sail Mail stations. After COVID hit, traffic went to near zero. Now it is starting to trickle thru again.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by osprey877

The USA, and perhaps other countries as well, require the visa unless you arrive at a land crossing, or by a commercial air carrier or commercial passenger vessel. This is so they can refuse you entry if they want and either turn you back at the land border (ie Canada or Mexico) or require the commercial carrier to return you to from whence you came. If you arrive on a private vessel the border authorities have no easy way of refusing you entry and removing you, hence the visa requirement.

You got a reference for this?

Im a USA Citizen so have never experienced that aspect of getting into the USA, but Ive had lots of foreign employees and many foreign friends...not been their experience. We used to have an attorney on retainer to process work/student visas...didnt matter HOW they came in.

The purpose of a visa is to pre-approve individuals for entry based on nationality, immigration status, purpose of visit, etc.

No soviergn nation needs a visa in order to deny you entry, they may do so for any reason, you have no right to enter. Case in point: Ive had an official threaten to throw me out of the country and cancel my work permit/visa...just because he was having a bad day. He could have too, and I would have been SOL, but fortunately he cooled down and apologized. I crossed the border in question often (Belize/Guatemala) and he actually became an ally, later helping me with some issues.