USA Immigration News

Annotated version of the B-1 visa for a better US maritime supply chain

An annotated version of the B-1 visa has been recently created in order to strengthen US maritime global supply chain, according to an announcement from The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of State (DOS).

DHS and DOS worked together to create an annotated B-1 visa to meet the demands of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Program as well as the maritime community, particularly those who are not qualified for B-1 visa category and require a TWIC.

Maritime workers must obtain the TWIC, which is a tamper-resistant biometric identification card, in order to gain unrestricted access to secure areas of maritime facilities. Foreign maritime workers will be eligible to apply for a TWIC thanks to the change.

Under the process, to obtain a TWIC, overseas maritime workers are required to present notice of their need for a TWIC to DOS upon application for a B-1 visa, and a letter from their employer indicating that the individual will be required to perform service in secure port areas. Each individual will apply separately for a TWIC.

The new process will apply to between 4,000 and 6,000 overseas workers in US ports who must have a TWIC for the performance of their official duties.

“This new TWIC process is a critical step toward ensuring that foreign maritime workers can quickly and efficiently obtain the necessary credentials to do their jobs and help grow the American economy”, said Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano.

If you are interested in Visas to USA, contact Migration Expert for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you. You can also try our visa eligibility assessment to see if you are eligible to apply for a visa to the United States of America.