Sample of the new 10-year US visa for Ukrainian sailors
According to the ambassador, this term is twice the previous maximum of five years and, under US law, is the maximum allowed for crew members – citizens of any country.
“This is the longest visa validity period we provide to foreign sailors from any country in the world,” Pyatt stressed. “I believe this will make life easier for sailors. Moreover, it is evidence of our confidence in those Ukrainian citizens who apply for visas and a symbol of our commitment to building strong relations between our countries.”
As reported by the press service of the US Embassy in Ukraine, currently more than 55,000 Ukrainian sailors have C1/D visas, and every year the US Embassy in Kyiv issues more than 10,000 transit visas and crew member visas.
“The maritime industry is an important part of the Ukrainian economy; more than 100,000 Ukrainian officers and seamen work around the world. Ukraine ranks fourth in the number of personnel on commercial ships, and Ukrainian maritime academies graduate more than 7,000 sailors annually,” the statement reads. The embassy noted that the United States proudly supports Ukraine and the sailors who contribute to trade and commercial relations between our countries.