myself and 5 other men work here and all hold valid captain lic. One Mexicain, four Beleazean and one halfbreed, no two of us got our lic. the same way. pot luck!
Go stand in line at the port authority, have your ID's and a couple of photos of yourself.See what they say.It really helps to be humble and polite, Compare them with the USA, demand something because you think its fair or your right and you may be in line for the rest of your life:-)