U.S. State Department to eliminate all crew visas June 16

U.S. State Department to eliminate all crew visas June 16    The U.S. State Department said it will end the issuing of visas to foreign nationals who work as crew personnel on ships calling at U.S. ports, effective June 16.
   “By eliminating the crew list visa, the department will ensure that each crewmember entering the U.S. will be required to complete the nonimmigrant visa application forms, submit a valid passport, and undergo an interview and background checks,” the State Department said in a statement.
   During a public comment period, the State Department said it received 82 comments on the new rule ending crew visas. “The text of about half the comments was identical,” the department noted.
   “Almost all of the commenters expressed concern about the difficulty of crewmen obtaining individual visas. It was stated that cargo shipping is generally routed at the last minute. Thus crewmembers frequently don’t know in advance that they will travel to the U.S. … The department acknowledges that there may be some situations initially when rerouting and other circumstances may cause an individual or individuals not to have visas,” the State Department said.
   Some shipping companies expressed concerns “that there will be costly delays at port while crewmembers await the necessary processing and clearances to obtain a visa. The department recognizes that such delays indeed could be costly, but in light of Sept. 11, believes it is in the national interest to ensure that all aliens, including crewmembers, are properly screened before entering the U.S.,” the department said.
   For more information, call Ron Acker, (202) 663-1205, or e-mail ackerrl@state.gov