Caribbean Work Visa's - Info needed

[mattplowman]

Can anyone give me some information on the Work Visa’s needed to crew (paid) on vessels in the Caribbean.



Cheers

[Saorsa]

Each will be different since they are different countries. If you go to google and search for the embassy you will find a web pages from a lot of travel organizations which might answer your questions. Most will have a contact listing for the embassy or consulate.

[Saorsa]

One other thing - you need to know where the boat you will be crewing on is flagged since that is as important as a work visa where you will be sailing.

[MelissaK]

In the USVI, US passport holders, or green card people don't need a work permit.

In BVI's, you'll have to be out of the country while they publish a help wanted ad in the newspaper. I was listening to some Moorings folks making up an outlandish ad, tri lingual, electrician, EMT, PhD, able to leap tall buildings, and etc. They said, "Whew, surely no one will answer this ad!" because they had someone they wanted to hire.

Some employers promise they will get a permit AND THEN THEY DON'T!!!!

What island are you thinking of?

Cheers,

Melissa-been-here-a-while

[mattplowman]

Hi Melissa, I am pretty flexible in regards to which Island. I am a career changer (sick of the suit and tie, although the money is good!!), I am going to be heading to Las Palmas in Nov (currently in Auckland NZ) to get a ride across the ditch and then I am going to try and get deckhand work for the season, if I like it then I will invest in more qualifications and take it from there. I am a NZ / EU passport holder

cheers

[mattplowman]

ps - I will have my RYA COmp Crew and STCW95 modules before I leave, I am also crewing a 1000 mile delivery down the coast of NZ so wont be a complete novice when I arrive!!

[MelissaK]

And I think most islands make you leave after you get a job offer until the work permit is issued, after the advertisement and paperwork. Don't show up broke!!

Depends which islands get crunched in this hurricane season where the work will be, unless you'd consider construction work.

A very good jumping off place is Ft Lauderdale, Florida. At first it's very nasty, but if you can get into some crew housing, slums where a lot of green-card-less guys and a few girls live while boat shopping, Then when you've been wandering around networking for a while, the jobs start appearing. Once you are on a boat, then it's a LOT easier to get onto other boats, and gradually upgrade your work.

Success to you,

Melissa

[mattplowman]

thank you for the info, I appreciate it.

Thanks
Matt