Owais Crawford
A transit visa is a non-immigrant visa for individuals travelling through the United States en route to another country. This means that you can only get a transit visa if you are passing through the US on a layover on your way to your final destination. There are different types of transit visas, including the C1 visa, which is for non-US citizens passing through the US, and the C2 visa, which is for foreign citizens travelling to or from the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. To be eligible for a transit visa, you must be a non-US citizen with a prearranged itinerary and no unreasonable layover privileges.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who needs a transit visa? | Foreign citizens transiting through the US to another country |
| Who is exempt? | US citizens, lawful permanent residents of the US, citizens with a valid visitor (B) visa |
| Types of transit visas | C1, C2, C3, C-4/D-3 |
| Validity | Maximum of 29 days or until the date of departure from the US |
| Requirements | Passport, photograph, proof of transit visa fee, social media details, proof of entry to the country of the final destination, itinerary, letter stating the purpose of the visit, proof of financial ability to cover expenses, evidence of return to home country or another country |
| Application process | Fill the DS-160 form online, pay a fee of $160, schedule an interview |
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What You'll Learn
Transit Visa Requirements
A US Transit Visa is a permit to enter the US and stay for a layover before reaching your final destination. There are different types of transit visas, including the C1 visa, C2 visa, or C3 visa. All types of American transit visas are valid for a maximum of 29 days or until the date to depart the US, whichever is sooner.
To be eligible for a US Transit Visa, you must fulfill one of the following requirements:
- Be a general non-US citizen on your way to a final destination, only passing through the US.
- Be a non-US citizen or UN official going to the UN headquarters in New York City.
- Be a foreign government official transiting through the US to your final destination on a work-related trip.
- A valid passport: It should be valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay in the United States, unless you are a national of certain countries. In that case, you only need a passport that is valid during your period of stay.
- One photograph: It should meet the requirements set by the US authorities.
- Proof of paid transit visa fee.
- Social media details: Provide a list of the social media accounts you use, including the name of your account and your phone number and email. You may also need to provide your social media history for the previous five years.
- Proof of onward travel arrangements: You must provide a ticket or itinerary to your final destination and a letter stating the purpose of your visit.
- Financial proof: You must provide proof that you can cover your expenses during your transit. You can also show evidence that another person will cover some or all of the costs of your trip.
- Evidence of your intent to return to your home or another country after your stay in the US: This can include evidence of your employment or family ties.
During your visa interview, a consular officer will determine whether you qualify for a visa and which specific type of visa you need. Your fingerprints will be taken as part of your application process.
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Transit Visa Application Process
A Transit Visa is a non-immigrant visa for persons travelling in immediate and continuous transit through the United States en route to another country. Here is a step-by-step guide to applying for a US Transit Visa:
Step 1: Check your eligibility
First, check if you need a Transit Visa. Citizens of Canada and Bermuda, for example, do not require visas to transit through the United States.
Step 2: Prepare your documents
You will need to submit the following documents:
- Completed DS-160 application form
- Your passport, which has at least one blank page to affix a visa and is valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay in the United States, unless you are a national of certain countries
- One photograph, in accordance with the requirements set by the US authorities
- Proof of paid transit visa fee
- Social media details, including a list of the social media platforms you use and your account name for each
- Proof that you are allowed to enter the country of your final destination, such as a ticket or itinerary
- A letter stating the purpose of your visit to your final destination
- Proof of your onward travel arrangements and/or permission to enter another country after departing the United States
- Evidence of your employment and/or family ties, if applicable
Step 3: Submit your application
File form DS-160 online through the Consular Electronic Application Center. You will need to fill in the necessary fields and then submit the form online. You will receive a barcode number and confirmation page, which you will need later for your documents file.
Step 4: Pay the application fee
Pay the US Transit visa application fee of $160 and save the receipt, as you will need it later. There might be other fees depending on your location and the Embassy you are applying from.
Step 5: Schedule your interview
Contact the US Consulate/Embassy to schedule an appointment for your Transit Visa interview. You will receive an interview confirmation letter, which you will need later.
Step 6: Attend your interview
During your interview, a consular officer will determine whether you are qualified to receive a visa and, if so, which visa category is appropriate based on your purpose of travel. Ink-free, digital fingerprint scans will be taken as part of your application process. You should also be prepared to answer questions about your trip and your purpose for seeking a transit visa.
Step 7: Wait for processing
The Transit Visa processing time is usually very quick, with most applicants knowing whether their application was successful at the end of their visa interview. However, in some cases, further administrative processing may be required. From the time you submit your application, expect to wait for a minimum of 5 working days to receive a response on your visa status.
Step 8: Receive your visa
Once your visa is approved, you may need to pay a visa issuance fee, depending on your nationality. Your passport with the visa will then be returned to you. Review the visa processing time to learn how soon your passport with the visa will generally be ready for pick-up or delivery by courier.
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Transit Visa Validity
A Transit Visa is a non-immigrant visa for persons travelling in immediate and continuous transit through the United States en route to another country. This means that the holder does not intend to stay in the US and has another final destination.
To obtain a Transit Visa, you must submit a completed DS-160 application form, your passport (which must have at least one blank page and be valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay in the United States), a photograph, proof of payment of the transit visa fee, social media details, and proof that you are allowed to enter the country of your final destination.
All types of American Transit Visas (C1, C2, or C3) are valid for a maximum of 29 days or until the date to depart the US on your ticket, whichever is sooner. This means that if you enter the US on the 1st of a month, you must leave on or before the 29th of the same month. However, if your ticket to your final destination is on an earlier date, you must leave the US on that date.
A Transit Visa does not allow you to stay in the US beyond the designated time, nor does it allow you to travel, study, or become employed in the country.
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Transit Visa Exemptions
The United States requires a C-1 transit visa for most foreign nationals passing through the country. However, there are several exemptions to this rule. Firstly, if you already possess a valid visitor (B) visa, you may be able to use it to transit the United States. Additionally, if you are a citizen of a participating country, you may be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, which allows citizens of 39 countries to transit through the US for up to 90 days without a visa. This program includes exemptions for citizens of VWP countries transiting for less than 90 days under ESTA.
There are also specific exemptions for crewmembers. A crewmember transiting the United States to join a vessel engaged in foreign trade and lightering activities (ship-to-ship transfer of liquid cargo) for up to 180 days will need a crewmember D-3 visa, typically issued as a combination C-4/D-3 visa. Similarly, a crewmember on a private yacht sailing from a foreign port and cruising in US waters for over 29 days generally requires a visitor (B) visa.
Foreign citizens travelling in immediate and continuous transit through the United States to or from the United Nations Headquarters District under the provisions of the Headquarters Agreement with the United Nations require a diplomatic transit (C-2) visa, with travel limited to the immediate New York City vicinity.
It is important to note that each country has its own regulations regarding transit visas, and exemptions may vary. For instance, some countries have bilateral agreements that allow for visa-free transit under certain conditions.
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Transit Visa Restrictions
A Transit (C) visa is a non-immigrant visa for people travelling in immediate and continuous transit through the United States to another country, with a few exceptions. This means that the traveller must be departing reasonably expeditiously in the normal course of travel, with a prearranged itinerary and no unreasonable layover privileges. If the traveller wishes to take a layover for purposes other than transiting, such as visiting friends or sightseeing, they will need to qualify for a different type of visa.
If you are a foreign citizen transiting the United States to join a vessel engaged in foreign trade and lightering activities (ship-to-ship transfer of liquid cargo) for a period not exceeding 180 days, you will need a crewmember D-3 visa, most often issued as a combination C-4/D-3 visa.
A foreign citizen proceeding in immediate and continuous transit through the United States to or from the United Nations Headquarters District, under the provisions of the Headquarters agreement with the United Nations, requires a diplomatic transit (C-2) visa. Travel within the United States will be limited to the immediate New York City vicinity.
A foreign citizen whose layover in the United States is for a primary purpose other than transit, such as visiting friends or sightseeing, requires a visitor (B) visa. A coasting officer seeking to enter the United States generally requires a visitor (B) visa.
You must apply for an "A" airport transit visa (ATV) if you hold an ordinary, service or special passport issued by Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, or Sri Lanka.
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Frequently asked questions
A US Transit Visa is a permit that allows a non-US citizen to enter the US for a layover and then continue on to their final destination. This includes non-US citizens travelling to the UN headquarters in New York City or foreign government officials travelling through the US on a work trip.
You must have a valid passport and proof of onward travel arrangements, as well as evidence of employment or family ties. You will also need to provide a photograph, pay a visa fee, and share your social media details.
You can fill out the DS-160 form online and pay a fee of $160. You will then be required to attend a Transit Visa interview, where a consular officer will determine your eligibility for the visa.
