Announcement of the Creation of a Lightering Visa Classification

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{ obj: this }, componentPath: 'tsg-rwd/components/content/segmentMenu'})">Annual Limit Reached in the EB-2 Category</a> </p> </li></ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="tsg-rwd-facet-builder facetBuilder parbase"> <div class='tsg-rwd-facetBox'> </div> </div> </div> <div class="tsg-rwd-main-copy-frame "> <div class="tsg-rwd-main-copy-body-frame withrail"> <div class="tsg-rwd-page-subheader"> <a name="inner-content" id="inner-content" href="javascript:void(0);" title="start of main content"></a> <h1>Announcement of the Creation of a Lightering Visa Classification</h1> </div> <div class="tsg-rwd-content-page-parsysxxx parsys"><div class="custom_dateselect section"> Last Updated: September 5, 2024 </div> <div class="tsg-rwd-text parbase section"> <div style="margin-top:5px"> <p><p>Starting on September 5, 2024, the Department will begin implementing two new visa classifications for noncitizens seeking to transit the United States to join a vessel engaged in foreign trade and undertaking lightering activities for a period not to exceed 180 days.  Lightering is the ship-to-ship transfer of liquid cargo.  The new visa classification permitting transit to join a lightering vessel is the C-4 visa.  The new visa classification permitting crewmembers to perform lightering activities is the D-3 visa.  Additionally, applicants may be eligible for a combination C-4/D-3 visa.  Unlike C-1 and C-1/D visa holders whose stay in the United States cannot exceed 29 days, C-4, D-3, and C-4/D-3 visa holders are allowed to stay in the United States for a period not to exceed 180 days.</p> </p> </div></div> </div> </div> <div class="tsg-rwd-right-rail"> <div class="tsg-rwd-content-page-right-rail-parsys parsys"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="tsg-rwd-shelf-for-hidden-iParsys"> <div class="tsg-rwd-content-menu-iparsys iparsys parsys"><div class="section"><div class="new"></div> </div><div class="iparys_inherited"><div class="tsg-rwd-content-menu-iparsys iparsys parsys"> 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Announcement of the Creation of a Lightering Visa Classification