Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) - Visa Annotations for Certain Maritime Industry Workers

February 1, 2011

Effective February 1, 2011, the Departments of State and Homeland Security introduced 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 U.S. maritime facilities. Maritime industry workers who will perform services in secure port areas must have their visas annotated “TWIC Letter Received.” Review Visitor Visas – Business and Pleasure for information on how to request an annotated B-1 visa for a maritime industry worker and TSA’s website at http://www.tsa.gov/stakeholders/transportation-worker-identification-credential-twic for complete information about the TWIC program.