U.S. Switches Cruise Crew Landing Permits to Digital I-95

The Miami cruise terminal
by Eve Church

Cruise ship crew members visiting ports in the United States will no longer be required to carry a paper I-95 permit. From July 1, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has officially introduced the electronic Crewman’s Landing Permit (e-I-95), replacing the paper version previously issued to eligible seafarers for shore leave.

Under the updated process, eligible crew members will automatically receive a new electronic I-95 each time they arrive in the United States. Instead of a paper document, the permit is now available through authorized CBP digital services.

Each electronic I-95 is valid only for the vessel’s current U.S. port visit. Once the ship departs for an international destination, the permit expires automatically. A new electronic I-95 will then be issued when the vessel returns to a U.S. port.

Crew members can access their electronic permit through the CBP Link mobile app, which is available on both iOS and Android devices, or by using the CBP I-94/I-95 online portal with their passport number and date of birth. The permit can be presented directly from a mobile device or as a printed copy.

CBP advises all crew members to confirm they have access to their current electronic I-95 before leaving the ship. Anyone unable to produce a valid permit when requested may be refused permission to go ashore.

When taking shore leave in the United States, crew members should carry:

  • Their company-issued crew identification card.
  • Their current electronic I-95, either on a mobile device or as a printed document.

Since internet access may not always be available or reliable in every port, CBP recommends saving a screenshot of the electronic I-95 before disembarking. Keeping an offline copy can help prevent delays if authorities request to see the permit.

Cruise operators are also updating their onboard procedures to support the transition. Crew offices will provide assistance and guidance to seafarers who have difficulty accessing their electronic permits.

The introduction of the fully digital I-95 is part of CBP’s wider initiative to modernize border processing, reduce the use of paper documentation, and improve the efficiency and security of entry procedures for international crew members arriving at U.S. ports.

The I-95 is issued by CBP to eligible foreign crew members serving on commercial ships and aircraft. It grants temporary permission to enter the United States while their vessel is in port, allowing them to take shore leave or join or depart their assigned vessel.