Navigating Crew Visa Requirements for Maritime Operations: Key Updates from CBP Houston
Recent discussions with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials in Houston have provided important clarifications on visa requirements and enforcement protocols for maritime operations. Understanding these policies is crucial for vessel owners, charterers, and maritime service providers operating in U.S. waters. Below, we outline key takeaways from these discussions and what they mean for […]
New Visas for Foreign Workers in Offshore Wind
The US State Department has updated policy guidance in their Foreign Affairs Manuel (FAM), clarifying how visas for offshore wind workers will be handled. Updated policy states that USCG does not consider offshore wind an “OCS activity” and that offshore wind workers shall be issued B visas for transit only. Issued B-1 visas will be […]
B1 OCS visas and the Outer Continental Shelf
The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) is a critical area for natural resource production. It’s divided into four regions: Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic, Pacific, and Alaska, and thousands of maritime workers are employed there. The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) gives the US Coast Guard authority to enforce regulations on OCS structures, which must […]