A U.S. Cruising License (permit) is issued to foreign-flagged pleasure vessels to allow them to move from port to port within U.S. waters without formal entry and clearance at every stop. In 2026, the captain must report the vessel's arrival to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) within 24 hours of entering U.S. waters, which is most easily done via the CBP ROAM app. You can request the license directly through the app or at the nearest Port of Entry. The permit is typically valid for one year and is available to vessels from countries that grant similar privileges to U.S. yachts. To qualify, the vessel must be used solely for pleasure and not for trade or commercial charter. It is important to note that even with a cruising permit, you must still report your movements between certain CBP regions and ensure all crew members have valid B1/B2 visas. Once a permit expires, a new one cannot be issued until the vessel has departed for a foreign port and at least 15 days have elapsed.