46 CFR 12.809: Citizenship and identity for non-resident alien stewards
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section lets a non-resident alien apply for a Coast Guard-issued MMC valid only for service in the steward's department of a U.S.-flagged large passenger vessel. The applicant must be employable in the United States and must provide an unexpired passport and a valid visa or acceptable authority. Citizens or residents of State Sponsor of Terrorism countries may not apply.
Applies toNon-resident aliens applying for an MMC endorsed for service in the steward's department of a U.S.-flagged large passenger vessel.
What it says
Instead of the requirements of § 10.221 of this subchapter, a non-resident alien may apply for an MMC that is endorsed and valid only for service in the steward's department of a U.S.-flagged large passenger vessel.
46 CFR 12.809(a)“Instead of the requirements of § 10.221 of this subchapter, a non-resident alien may apply for a Coast Guard-issued MMC, endorsed and valid only for service in the steward's department”
The applicant must be employable in the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101, et seq.), and this includes an alien crewmember described in section 101 (a)(15)(D)(i) of that Act.
46 CFR 12.809(a)“if they are employable in the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101, et seq.), including an alien crewmember described in section 101 (a)(15)(D)(i) of that Act.”
To meet the citizenship and identity requirements of this subpart, an applicant must provide an unexpired passport issued by the government of the country of which the applicant is a citizen or subject.
46 CFR 12.809(b)“an applicant must provide an unexpired passport issued by the government of the country of which the applicant is a citizen or subject”
The applicant must also provide either a valid U.S. C-1/D Crewmember Visa or another valid U.S. visa or authority deemed acceptable by the Coast Guard.
46 CFR 12.809(b)“either a valid U.S. C-1/D Crewmember Visa or another valid U.S. visa or authority deemed acceptable by the Coast Guard”
A non-resident alien applying for an MMC under this subpart may not be a citizen of, or a temporary or permanent resident of, a country the Department of State designates as a "State Sponsor of Terrorism".
46 CFR 12.809(c)“may not be a citizen of, or a temporary or permanent resident of, a country designated by the Department of State as a “State Sponsor of Terrorism””
Common questions
What documents does a non-resident alien need to show citizenship and identity for an MMC?
The applicant must provide an unexpired passport from the country of which they are a citizen or subject. They must also provide a valid U.S. C-1/D Crewmember Visa or another valid U.S. visa or authority deemed acceptable by the Coast Guard.
“an applicant must provide an unexpired passport issued by the government of the country of which the applicant is a citizen or subject, and either a valid U.S. C-1/D Crewmember Visa”
Can a non-resident alien get an MMC for any job on a U.S. vessel?
No. Under this section the MMC is endorsed and valid only for service in the steward's department of a U.S.-flagged large passenger vessel.
“endorsed and valid only for service in the steward's department of a U.S.-flagged large passenger vessel”
Can a citizen of a State Sponsor of Terrorism country apply for this MMC?
No. A non-resident alien applying under this subpart may not be a citizen, or a temporary or permanent resident, of a country designated by the Department of State as a "State Sponsor of Terrorism".
“Any non-resident alien applying for an MMC under this subpart may not be a citizen of, or a temporary or permanent resident of, a country designated”
The text of 46 CFR 12.809
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Citizenship and identity
(a) Instead of the requirements of § 10.221 of this subchapter, a non-resident alien may apply for a Coast Guard-issued MMC, endorsed and valid only for service in the steward's department of a U.S.-flagged large passenger vessel, as defined in 46 U.S.C. 8103(k)(5)(B), if they are employable in the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101, et seq.), including an alien crewmember described in section 101 (a)(15)(D)(i) of that Act.
(b) To meet the citizenship and identity requirements of this subpart, an applicant must provide an unexpired passport issued by the government of the country of which the applicant is a citizen or subject, and either a valid U.S. C-1/D Crewmember Visa or another valid U.S. visa or authority deemed acceptable by the Coast Guard.
(c) Any non-resident alien applying for an MMC under this subpart may not be a citizen of, or a temporary or permanent resident of, a country designated by the Department of State as a “State Sponsor of Terrorism” pursuant to section 6(j) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App. 2405(j)) or section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2371).
Sections it refers to
The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.