Visiting Puerto Rico by Sailboat Non US Citizens

[Pieter]

Thanks Dave, for being so transparent abt this. The more i think abt it, the more upset i get.... This whole procedure, these rules and regulations, these questionaires..(Are you envolved in any terrorist activity?... I mean seriously.. what is that ...) It is just not right. Our US citizen friends dont/wont prob. know abt this. Friendly aliens do, and some who do have the goods (house or business) to show for, will get a visa, the other ones, like me wont make it, and therefore are not welcome, and cant go travel in this part of the free world...How sad is that...

[s/v Jedi]

Yes you can say "I have no reliable income, am a permanent liveaboard and have no ties with my home country". There are even better ways to try to get refused a visa. You could also say "I am retired (or on a sabattical) and living on my sailboat as I sail her around the world". Again, I found it was very easy to get the visa and the interviewer clearly profiled us as visiting private yacht: PASS.

[Pieter]

Thank you for your positive and optimistic message. Sounds that would we be the way to go. Will try it from that angle and let you know how things pen out...

[CaribbeanCraig]

Don't feel bad Pieter ,

It took me 6 months to get a passport ,I had already been screened by the feds to work at 2 different airports . I had to submit paperwork of my existence prior to a curtain year. Now that is over my renewal will be faster . Also the holiday season is a big cause of slow approval as well .

[karabil]

2 1/2 hrs at us consulate in Melbourne Aus this morning, very pleasant staff, asked why we needed visa and when we explained we owned a boat and sailing into US territories he was great and didnt want copies of income or house ownership etc (I had them with me just in case but maybee the fact we have flown so much over last couple of years and not stopped in USA for more than 2 weeks shows we have no interest in immigrating and can afford to fly and sail around.). Staff said we should have our passports back in a week and gave us private email address just in case doesnt turn up quickly enough. When we need to reapply in 5 years we can do over the internet and wont even need to go to consulate/embassy.

Downside is the fees and 2 1/2 hours for interview (after the appointment time).
Upside was pleasant staff, quick passport return, and lack of privacy invasion as didnt even have to declare our income or assests.

[PaulJack]

I sailed into the USA once recently without a VISA (I'm an Aussie), they told me that if I'd arrived at an airport i'd be sent home but, since they didn't really know what to do with me they'd let me in on the Visa waiver "just this once".

It was actually a very pleasant experience, we joked around, gave the lady that boarded us a tour of the boat, sorted our docs out and gave her a ride ashore.

The states is run by a bunch of ******** but the people on the ground are usually pretty nice.

[Pieter]

Hello Karabil,
Great news, and thanks for the heads up! I will have my interview hopefuly next week. Will let you know how things unfold.
Best rgds
Pieter

[Pieter]

Hello PaulJack, and thanks for sharing your experience. If I wont get the visa, then that is what i hope will happen when we show up. (the pressure is on, as my fiancee did get her visa yesterday in the US consulate in Brazil)..

[Pieter]

Hello, and as promissed and fair is fair... This morning I had my Interview at the US consulate in Curacao. That went well, and they handed out after two hours of waiting the passport+VISA (valid for 10 years... Thank you uncle Sam).
Now, the math:
* plane ticket round trip US 230
* Visa US$ 160
* Taxi Airport-hotel-airport US$ 50
* Hotel US$ 95
* Aiport tax US$20

Total US$ 555

BTW did I mentioned that you get 90 days to stay in Bonaire, get a stamp on the spot in less than 15 minutes and.. totally free....

All the best and fair winds
Pieter Kommerij
SV Onda Boa
Ocean of Dreams

[karabil]

And our passports complete with b1b2 visas arrived by courier on Monday so 6 days after our appointment.

[s/v Jedi]

See, it wasn't that bad and they even accepted you like I thought they would

In my experience, written procedures in the USA looks all very complicated and hard to comply with, however, the officers involved know how to make it work and as soon as they profile you as an okay guy, they will lead you through it all.

[carlthomas]

I avoid the US and I avoid anything american, in all respects.

Even dont eat burgers anymore.

I do not need anything US in my life to be happy. And meanwhile I am not alone.

[carlthomas]

Wrong. I was sent back without a reason. The officer´s name was JESUS.

[CaribbeanCraig]

Originally Posted by carlthomas

I avoid the US and I avoid anything american, in all respects.

Even dont eat burgers anymore.

I do not need anything US in my life to be happy. And meanwhile I am not alone.

or the internet...