Nigerian seafarers are raising alarm over new United States visa restrictions that could wipe out 250 jobs and drain $2 million in foreign exchange earnings each month – www.naijnaira.com reports.
The Nation reported that a petition was submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by seafarers’ legal representatives, urging immediate talks with Washington to reverse the policy.
At the center of the dispute is the C1D visa, which previously allowed multiple entries but has now been limited to just a single entry with a three-month validity.
Workers argue that the shortened visa period makes it nearly impossible for them to continue joining international vessels that dock in US ports.
“The inability to join ships in the US will lead to job loss for many of our clients who require the C1D visa, disrupting their careers and livelihoods,” the petition read.
According to the seafarers, losing these opportunities doesn’t just threaten their families but also weakens Nigeria’s foreign currency reserves.
“If these seafarers lose their jobs, the Nigerian government stands to lose approximately $2 million monthly in foreign exchange earnings,” the petition warned.
The petition also pointed out that Nigerian crews have consistently respected US immigration laws, returning home after contracts without overstaying.
It added that background checks, security clearances, and police verification are part of every seafarer’s hiring process, ensuring strict compliance with international standards.
The petitioners compared their case to Zimbabwean seafarers, who recently regained access to a two-year multiple-entry C1D visa after their government intervened.
They called on the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to pursue similar negotiations that would restore longer visa durations for its workers.
The C1D visa was introduced after the September 11 attacks to regulate entry for airline crew and seafarers assigned to vessels, but the new restriction threatens to cut Nigerian workers out of the maritime workforce.
Industry experts are pressing lawmakers and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to rally behind the petition, arguing that only a coordinated push can safeguard jobs and protect foreign earnings.
Article updated 5 days ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
