New Rules for Ship Workers Who Transfer Cargo Between Vessels
New rules let certain ship workers who move liquid cargo between vessels stay in the U.S. for up to 180 days.
Affects: · Source: Federal Register
What happened
The U.S. government has made new rules for certain ship workers. These rules are for people who transfer liquid cargo, like oil or gas, from one large ship to another. This job is often called "lightering."
The new rules mean that these specific workers can now stay in the United States for up to 180 days. Before this change, they could only stay for a maximum of 29 days.
These changes come from a law passed in 2022 called the Energy Security and Lightering Independence Act. The government is now updating its immigration rules to match what this law says.
The bigger picture
Before this new law, ship workers who were just passing through the U.S. on a C-1 visa could only stay for a maximum of 29 days. This rule made it difficult for some workers who needed more time to complete their jobs, especially those involved in complex cargo transfers.
The government says this change helps workers involved in "lightering" operations. Lightering is when cargo, such as crude oil or natural gas, is moved from a very large ship to a smaller one. This often happens when a port is not deep enough for the big ship to enter. The new law helps these important operations run more smoothly by allowing workers to stay longer.
What this means for you
All immigrants
This new rule does not change anything for most immigrants. It only affects a very specific group of ship workers who perform certain duties related to cargo transfer.
Crewmen (C-1 and D visa holders)
If you are a crewman who transfers liquid cargo between ships (lightering), you can now stay in the U.S. for up to 180 days. Before, you could only stay for 29 days. This gives you more time to do your job without needing to leave and re-enter the country.
Employers
If you employ crewmen who do lightering work, these new rules make it easier for your workers to stay in the U.S. for longer periods. This could help your operations run more smoothly and reduce disruptions caused by short stay limits.
What you should do
- Nothing right now — just good to know. This rule mostly affects specific ship workers and how long they can stay in the U.S. If you are a lightering crewman, the new rules will apply when you seek admission or a temporary landing permit after the effective date.
Key dates
- 2026-08-11: This rule becomes effective and the new stay limits for lightering crewmen begin.
Words explained
- Lightering
- This is when workers move liquid cargo, like oil or gas, from a very large ship to a smaller ship, often because the port is not deep enough for the big ship.
- Nonimmigrant
- A nonimmigrant is a person who comes to the United States for a specific reason and a set amount of time, not to live here permanently.
- C-1 Transit Nonimmigrant Classification
- This is a type of visa for people who are just passing through the United States on their way to another country.
- D Crewman Nonimmigrant Classification
- This is a type of visa for workers who are part of a ship's crew and need to enter the U.S. for their job.
- Federal Register
- This is a daily publication where the U.S. government announces new rules, proposed rules, and official notices.
Common questions
Who do these new rules affect?
These rules mainly affect ship workers who transfer liquid cargo between vessels, a job called lightering. They are for people who come to the U.S. on C-1 (transit) or D (crewman) visas.
How long can these ship workers stay in the U.S. now?
These specific ship workers can now stay for up to 180 days. Before this rule, they could only stay for a maximum of 29 days.
Do I need to do anything because of this rule?
Most people do not need to do anything. This rule changes how long certain ship workers can stay. If you are one of these workers, the process for getting your visa or landing permit will reflect the new time limit.
When do these new rules start?
These new rules will officially start on August 11, 2026. After this date, the new stay limits will be in effect.
This is a plain-English explanation, not legal advice. Confirm with the official source or a licensed immigration attorney.