# 2026-16319: New Visas for Lightering: Ship Cargo Transfers Get Green Light

2026-16319, Regulatory Changes Required by the Energy Security and Lightering Independence Act of 2022, is a Federal Register rule from Homeland Security Department published 2026-08-11, effective 2026-08-11; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-08-18).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16319
- As of: 2026-08-18
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-16319
- Title: Regulatory Changes Required by the Energy Security and Lightering Independence Act of 2022
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Homeland Security Department
- Citation: 91 FR 51549
- Published: 2026-08-11
- Effective: 2026-08-11
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 1651-AB62
- Last updated: 2026-08-18

## In one line

New Visas for Lightering: Ship Cargo Transfers Get Green Light

## Summary

The Energy Security and Lightering Independence Act of 2022 amended the nonimmigrant classifications for aliens in transit (C) and for aliens serving as crewmen (D) to include individuals who perform ship-to-ship liquid cargo transfer operations to or from another vessel engaged in foreign trade (lightering). The statute authorizes qualifying aliens to seek admission to the United States or request temporary landing permits for a period not to exceed 180 days. This rule amends Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations to conform to these statutory changes and make related technical amendments.

## Effects PRIA read

- New 180‑day visa class for lightering crew: benefit, medium. If you perform ship-to-ship liquid cargo transfers (lightering), you may now seek admission as a C-4 nonimmigrant or request temporary landing as a D-3 nonimmigrant for a period not to exceed 180 days. This regulatory change (effective August 11, 2026) implements the Energy Security and Lightering…
- No extensions allowed for C‑4 and D‑3 stays: cost, medium. Nonimmigrants admitted in C-4 or granted D-3 temporary landing privileges are limited to the authorized period of admission (up to 180 days) and are not eligible for extensions of stay. The rule references existing INA limits and penalties for willful overstay.
- Lightering not treated as U.S. employment: benefit, low. If you perform ship-to-ship liquid cargo transfer operations while admitted in C-4 status or granted D-3 landing privileges, that activity is not considered performance of services, work, labor, or employment within the United States for immigration purposes. The regulatory text adopts the ESLIA st…
- No Form I-408 needed for D‑3 departures: benefit, low. A crewman granted temporary landing privileges under the new D-3 paragraph (for lightering) is authorized to depart on the same vessel or on another vessel or aircraft and does not require an application on Form I-408 to do so. This change is reflected in amended 8 CFR 252.1(f).
- CBP replaces parole with tracked classifications: benefit, low. CBP will admit lightering crew under the C-4 or D-3 classifications rather than relying on discretionary parole, enabling CBP to identify and track the exact number of lightering crew admitted in transit or granted temporary landing privileges. The agency notes this improves data compared to prior…

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- [2026-20955](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20955): Removal of Automatic Extensions for Certain Employment Authorization Documents, 2026-10-14
- [2026-20884](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20884): Advance Traveler Information for Rail, 2026-10-13
- [2026-20660](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20660): Optional Practical Training Fees, 2026-10-08
- [2026-20650](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20650): Low-Value Shipments, 2026-10-08
- [2026-20087](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20087): Clarification of Certain Mariner Training Requirements, 2026-10-01

## Sources
- [2026-16319 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/11/2026-16319/regulatory-changes-required-by-the-energy-security-and-lightering-independence-act-of-2022)
- [2026-16319 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-11/pdf/2026-16319.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-16318, North Dakota Regulatory Program](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16318)
- [Next: 2026-16334, Determination To Defer Sanctions; Arizona; Maricopa County Air Quality Departme…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16334)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16319 (as of 2026-08-18).