Shore-leave port card

Inputs stay in your browser. Print the card to keep a copy in your wallet. Rules summarised here are point-in-time guidance — always confirm with the agent or the consulate before you go ashore.

Your shore-leave card

Nationality: —
Port country: United States
Activity: transit-airport
Visa requirement: visa required
Notes: C-1/D crew/transit visa required for shore leave at every US port. SID alone is not accepted. CBP may grant a D-1 (depart on same vessel) or D-2 (depart on a different vessel) parole at the gate.
Verify before going: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources.html

Documents to carry

Passport (valid >6 months)
Seafarer Identity Document (SID, if held)
Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) / Discharge Book
Seafarer Employment Agreement (SEA) — original or photo
Joining/leaving letter from operator (if signing on/off)
Crew list (master can provide a copy)
Copies of STCW certificates
Local-currency cash for transport + emergency

If you are denied shore leave

Ask the immigration officer for the reason in writing (a stamp or refusal sheet).
Notify your master + agent.
Contact the local ITF inspector via itfseafarers.org/find-an-itf-inspector.
If denial appears to violate FAL Standard 3.44, file a port-state-control complaint at the next port — PSC complaint route.

Primary sources

IMO FAL Convention — Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (Standard 3.44 — shore leave).
ILO C185 — Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003.

Disclaimer. General information only. Shore-leave rules change. Always verify with the local agent and your country's embassy before travelling. If your case is urgent, contact the ITF inspector at the port or call ISWAN +44 800 012 1004.