US DOS, DHS announce B1 visas for foreign workers

United States, 14th February: The US Department of State and Department of Homeland Security reveals creation of B1 visas for enabling foreign maritime workers to apply for TWIC.

TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) is a biometric ID (identification card) required to be possessed by foreign maritime workers in order to enter secure regions of maritime facilities.

Around 4,000 to 6,000 foreigner maritime workers in the US ports, who need to possess a TWIC for performing their official jobs will be covered under this new process.

Giving details about the new move, Janet Napolitano, the US Secretary of Homeland Security, said that the new process of TWIC is an important step for helping the immigrant maritime workers gain required credentials for undertaking their jobs and for helping in the growth of the US economy.

Napolitano added that increasing the security of maritime international supply chain is of utmost importance for ensuring the nation from any potential threats.

B1 visas are meant for foreign nationals wanting to come to the US for business purposes.

Upon making application for a B1 visa, foreign workers needing a TWIC must provide notification to the US DOS along with a letter from the concerned employer stating clearly that the individual will need to work in secure areas.

Once a new TWIC B1 visa is received by a foreign worker, he/she needs to make a separate application for a TWIC.

Immigrant maritime workers are required to undergo strict background checks like checks against immigration records, criminal history and terrorist watchlist.

As per the official statement released by the US DHS, a TWIC final ruling was published in January 2007 by the Transportation Security Administration under which individuals other than US citizens eligible under any of the immigration categories of the agency will be allowed to make applications for a TWIC.

The US State Department and the US DHS joined together to help create a process to allow foreigners entering the US for business purposes through the B1 visa category to possess a TWIC after getting inputs from the US maritime industry.

The designing of the annotated B-1 visas is in tune with the requirements of the US maritime community and the TWIC program.