The B-1 OCS visa is a non-immigrant visa designed for non-US nationals working temporarily on foreign-owned or operated vessels or installations on the US Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The OCS encompasses submerged lands beyond US territorial waters, rich in natural resources like oil and gas. The visa facilitates roles such as standard crew duties, equipment repair and other essential tasks on the OCS.

 

B1 OCS visa eligibility requirements

 

To obtain a B1 OCS visa, you must be employed on a temporary basis on a suitable vessel operating on the OCS.

The OCS covers submerged areas that lie between the American continent and the deep ocean. It is divided into four regions, which include the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic, Pacific and Alaska, and provides natural resources for the US.

The visa applies to roles ranging from standard crew duties to repairing the vessel or machinery.

To be eligible for the B1 OCS visa, you must meet the following requirements:

 

• Legitimate Business Purpose: Applicants must demonstrate that their visit is for legitimate business activities related to the OCS by providing supporting docuemtnation.
• Temporary Stay: The intended stay should be for a specific, limited duration.
• Financial Means: Applicants should have sufficient funds to cover expenses during their stay in the US, including return travel.
• Foreign Residence: Applicants must maintain a residence outside the US with no intention of abandoning it.
• Admissibility: Applicants must be admissible to the US, with no disqualifying factors such as certain criminal convictions or prior immigration violations.

 

 

B1 OCS supporting documents

 

To prove your eligibility, you will be required to provide the following documents:

 

• A manning exemption letter from your employer (see below further detail)
• A letter from your employer stating the name of the vessels you will be working on and the length of time you will be required to fulfil this employment
• Proof of ties to your home country such as a mortgage statement proving property ownership, family documents such as birth certificates, financial statements showing stable economic ties.
• Employment or professional documents such as an employment contract or proof of your related professional qualifications or experience
• Financial documents, for instance, a bank statement
• Travel documents, such as your return travel ticket
• Passport, valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay in the US
• Proof of completion of the online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160)
• Form DS-160 conformation page
• Visa application fee receipt
• A recent passport-sized photograph meeting US visa requirements.

 

 

What is the Manning Exemption Letter?

 

The Manning Exemption Letter is issued by the US Coast Guard (USCG) upon the employer’s request. Its primary purpose is to confirm that the vessel or unit complies with the manning requirements and to authorize the employment of non-US citizens or non-resident aliens under specific conditions outlined in section 33 CFR 141.20 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Employers seeking an exemption must submit a written request to the USCG, identifying the specific provision under 33 CFR 141.20(a) upon which the request is based. Depending on the provision, the application should include:

 

• For contractual provisions or national registry manning requirements (33 CFR 141.20(a)(1)): A list of persons claimed exempt and a copy of the relevant contract.
• For insufficient qualified U.S. citizens or resident aliens (33 CFR 141.20(a)(2)): A list of persons or positions sought to be exempted.
• For national interest determinations (33 CFR 141.20(a)(3)): Identification of the unit involved and supporting information.

 

While not explicitly detailed in 33 CFR 141.20, it is advisable for employers to provide comprehensive information to support their exemption request, which could include:

 

• Details of the scope of employment (type of work, location, duration).
• Information about the vessel (name, International Maritime Organization (IMO) number, type, registry, classification documents).
• Contracts, subcontracts, or bareboat charter agreements affecting ownership or control.
• Public trading and registration documents for the parent company and any related entities in the ownership chain.
• Identities and nationalities of key corporate officers, board members, and main shareholders.
• A certified statement addressing the national manning requirements found in 33 CFR 141.5(b)(3).

 

 

How to apply for a B1 OCS visa

 

Apply for your B1 OCS visa by using the Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form (DS-160). The application form is completed entirely online and will require you to upload a suitable photograph.

The online DS-160 form is extensive and will ask you to provide the following information:

 

• Personal Information (full name, sex, marital status, date and place of birth, nationality)
• Address and Phone Information
• Passport Information
• Travel Information
• Travel Companion Information
• Previous US Travel Information
• US Point of Contact Information
• Family Information
• Present and Past Work/Education/Training Information
• Additional Work/Education/Training Information:
  • Do you belong to a clan or tribe?
  • Have you travelled to other countries during the last 5 years and if so where?
  • Have you belonged to, contributed to, or worked for any professional, social or charitable organisation?
  • Do you have specialised skills or training?
  • Have you ever served in the military?
  • Have you ever served in, been a member of, or been involved with a paramilitary unit, vigilante unit, rebel group, guerrilla group, or insurgent organisation?
• Security and Background: medical and health information, criminal record, security information such as involvement in espionage, war crimes or terrorism, immigration law violation
• Preparer of Application, where anyone other than yourself has assisted you in making your application

 

Once you have completed the form, print out the confirmation sheet and keep this to bring with you to your interview.

You will need to arrange the interview at your local US Embassy or Consulate, once you have paid the application fee.

When you attend your interview, ensure you bring all required documents, including the confirmation page of your DS-160 form, the receipt for your machine-readable visa application fee and your appointment instruction letter.

At the interview, the officer will ask you questions about your application form, supporting documents, your personal situation and your employment to check that you are eligible to be granted a B1 OCS visa.

During the interview, your biometric information will also be taken, ie your fingerprints, photograph and signature.

Unless the officer requires further information, you will receive a decision at the end of your interview.

 

What if I already have a valid B1/B2 visa?

 

If you are employed to work on a foreign vessel operating on the OCS and you have a valid B1/B2 visa, you do not need to apply for a B1 OCS visa. However, you will be required to carry a valid manning exemption letter with you.

 

What is the C1/D visa?

 

If the vessel or rig you are employed to work on will be operating outside the OCS as well as within the OCS, and you will be a regular member of the crew, you should use a C1/D visa.

You may apply for this at the same time as your B1 OCS visa, if applicable.

 

Can you use the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) instead of a B1 OCS visa?

 

Even if you are a foreign national from a visa waiver country, you may not work on the OCS under the visa waiver program (VWP) or with ESTA authorization.

Instead, you must apply for a B1 OCS visa if you wish to carry out a temporary work placement on a vessel or rig.

 

Why might a B1 OCS visa be denied?

 

There are a number of reasons why your visa application might be rejected. These include:

 

• Insufficient and unsatisfactory supporting documents
• The purposes of the visit are not eligible for a B1 OCS visa
• Criminal record
• You can’t satisfy the officer that your visit to the OCS/USA is temporary
• You can’t provide evidence of sufficient funds to pay for the visit and return travel home
• Evidence you provided is later found to be fraudulent
• You previously overstayed your permission to be in the USA

 

It is recommended to take advice on your application to avoid delays or refusals.

 

Need assistance?

 

Take specialist immigration legal advice to assist with your B1 OCS visa application to ensure you collate and submit the correct supporting documents including an acceptable manning exemption letter.

For advice from US visa experts, contact us.

 

B1 OCS visa FAQs

 

What is the B1 OCS visa?

The B1 OCS visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows foreign workers to perform certain duties on the Outer Continental Shelf under US jurisdiction. It is typically used by those working on vessels or offshore installations involved in resource extraction and other commercial activities.

 

Who is eligible for a B1 OCS visa?

Applicants must have a legitimate job offer related to the Outer Continental Shelf. They must also prove their stay is temporary, have sufficient funds for their trip, maintain a residence outside the US, and meet all admissibility requirements.

 

What types of work are allowed under a B1 OCS visa?

Permitted activities include standard crew duties, equipment repair, and roles directly related to offshore operations. Work that does not fall within these categories may require a different visa.

 

What supporting documents are needed for a B1 OCS visa?

Applicants must provide a valid passport, an employer letter detailing the nature of the work, financial proof, a completed DS-160 form, a visa fee receipt, and a Manning Exemption Letter if applicable.

 

Can a B1 OCS visa holder work onshore in the US?

The visa is strictly for offshore activities on the Outer Continental Shelf and does not permit work on the US mainland.

 

How long is a B1 OCS visa valid?

The visa is typically granted for a period matching the employer’s contract and may be subject to renewal. The length of stay is determined at the port of entry.

 

Is a Manning Exemption Letter required for all applicants?

It depends If the vessel is subject to foreign ownership restrictions, the employer must obtain a Manning Exemption Letter from the US Coast Guard.

 

Can family members accompany a B1 OCS visa holder?

The B1 OCS visa does not allow dependents to accompany the visa holder. Family members must apply for their own visas if they wish to visit the US.

 

What happens if my B1 OCS visa is denied?

A denial may occur due to incomplete documentation, failure to meet eligibility requirements, or prior immigration violations. Applicants can reapply with stronger supporting evidence or seek legal guidance.

 

Can a B1 OCS visa holder apply for a different visa while in the US?

Changing status while in the US may be challenging, as the B1 OCS visa is intended for temporary stays. Those seeking a different visa category may need to apply from their home country.

 

Glossary

 

Term	Definition
B1 OCS Visa	A non-immigrant visa that allows foreign workers to perform temporary offshore duties on the Outer Continental Shelf under US jurisdiction.
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)	Submerged land beyond US territorial waters where offshore resource extraction and other commercial activities take place.
US Coast Guard (USCG)	The agency responsible for regulating maritime activities, including issuing Manning Exemption Letters for foreign crew members.
Manning Exemption Letter	A letter from the US Coast Guard confirming that a vessel or rig meets foreign ownership and manning requirements, allowing non-US crew members to work on board.
Visa Waiver Program (VWP)	A program that allows nationals from certain countries to travel to the US for business or tourism without a visa for up to 90 days, which does not apply to OCS work.
DS-160 Form	The online non-immigrant visa application form required for a B1 OCS visa interview.
I-94 Form	A record issued upon entry to the US, including details of a traveler’s visa category and authorized stay duration.
Employer Letter	A document from the sponsoring employer outlining the job role, vessel or installation details, and employment duration.
Port of Entry	The location where a B1 OCS visa holder is inspected by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers upon arrival in the US.
Admissibility	The eligibility of a foreign national to enter the US, determined by factors such as prior immigration history and criminal background.
Consular Processing	The procedure where a visa applicant applies for and attends an interview at a US embassy or consulate outside the US.
Visa Denial	When a B1 OCS visa application is refused due to incomplete documentation, ineligibility, or past immigration violations.
Visa Validity	The period during which a visa can be used to seek entry to the US, which does not necessarily determine the length of stay.
Temporary Work Authorization	The ability to perform specific offshore work on the Outer Continental Shelf under a B1 OCS visa without direct employment by a US company.
Onshore vs Offshore Work	B1 OCS visa holders are allowed to work offshore but are not permitted to perform work on the US mainland.
Change of Status (COS)	The process of switching from one visa category to another while remaining in the US, which is generally not allowed for B1 OCS visa holders.
Supporting Documentation	Required documents for a visa application, including financial statements, proof of residence, and employer-issued paperwork.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP)	The agency responsible for inspecting travelers at US ports of entry and determining visa holders’ admissibility.