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Unit OT 18-35, Level 18, Central Park Towers, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai, P.O. Box 18006, United Arab Emirates
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GAC Regional Office, Asia Pacific 78 Shenton Way, #29-01
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Unit OT 18-35, Level 18, Central Park Towers, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai, P.O. Box 18006, United Arab Emirates
Unit OT 18-35, Level 18, Central Park Towers, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai, P.O. Box 18006, United Arab Emirates
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15 Oct 2019 / United States
The U.S. State Department has updated its policy guidance to include a visa category for crewmembers working onboard vessels deployed in offshore wind operations.
The Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) has been amended to provide guidance to embassy officials to issue a B-1 visa for an offshore wind farm project without the issuance of a non-applicability letter from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).
Traditionally, visas for crewmembers engaged in energy projects located on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) were given as a B-1 visa with an OCS annotation received on the basis of a letter of non-applicability from USCG when a vessel is owned or controlled more than 50% by foreign interests. However, USCG states that it does not have the authority to regulate wind farms located on the OCS and thus will not issue letters of non-applicability. As a result, crews could no longer obtain a B-1 (OCS) visa. A normal C-1/D crewman visa is not an option since it is only valid for 29 days.
The new solution allows offshore wind crewmembers to obtain a B-type visa in order to provide them enough time to complete their work. Under this guidance, the B-1 visa should have the annotation: “B-1 for Transit or Travel to the OCS for Wind Activities; Not OCS Activity”.
The State Department adds that this OCS-specific visa may not be proper for crewmembers working on non-OCS offshore wind projects, i.e., those within 3nm offshore.
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