New Visa Interim Rule Issued

The U.S. Department of State issued an interim rule, effective August 1, 2003, severely restricting the authority of U.S. consular officials to waive personal appearances by applicants for nonimmigrant visas. Comments on this rule should be submitted within 60 days. Note: this rule will make it virtually impossible for most foreign crewmembers to obtain U.S. visas, as they generally do not know (when they are ashore at home) if they will be serving on a ship that will call in the United States in the near future. Even if they know of such U.S. port calls, they may reside in a location distant from the U.S. consulate. This rule also effectively ends the crew list visa, as the owner would be required to produce the entire crew for interview by the consular official. 68 Fed. Reg. 40127 (July 7, 2003). (Source: © Haight Gardner Holland & Knight - July 2003)