March 14, 2011

 

Dear Customer of the Port of Wilmington, Delaware,

Re: DHS and the Department of State Establish Annotated B-1 Visa for Foreign Maritime Workers Applying for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential Program


The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of State (DOS) announced the creation of an annotated version of the B-1 visa—issued to foreign citizens visiting the United States for business purposes—that will make foreign maritime workers eligible to apply for a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). The TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric identification card that maritime workers must obtain in order to gain unrestricted access to secure areas of maritime facilities.

 

Under this process, foreign maritime workers who need to acquire a TWIC for the performance of their official duties must provide notice of their need for a TWIC to DOS upon application for a B-1 visa, as well as a letter from their employer indicating that the individual will be required to perform service in secure port areas (click to download a sample). Upon receipt of the new TWIC-annotated B-1 visa, each individual will apply separately for a TWIC. As is the case for all visa and TWIC applicants, these foreign maritime workers will undergo rigorous background checks, including checks against the terrorist watch list, criminal history, and immigrations records.

 

A worker needing a TWIC should arrive in the U.S. at least 2-3 weeks prior to starting work in the U.S. to allow sufficient time to complete the TWIC application process and to receive the TWIC card. Once presented with a TWIC, access permission to maritime facilities will be granted by each facility separately.

For additional information:

	About the Annotated B-1 Visa and how to apply for a TWIC visit www.tsa.gov/twic or http://homeport.uscg.mil.
	How TWIC holders can obtain access permission to the Port of Wilmington, Delaware contact Jerry Custis, Manager, Security and Facility Security Officer for the Diamond State Port Corporation at (302) 472-7817 jcustis@port.state.de.us or Matthew Eskridge, Security Supervisor at (302) 472-7687 meskridge@port.state.de.us.

 

The Diamond State Port Corporation