A US Transit Visa allows you to enter the country and stay for a short period of time. You must then leave the United States when your scheduled flight or cruise departs for your next destination. This visa is excellent for traveling in and out of the United States while your end destination is in another country, especially when changing airports within the United States. Every anyone passing through the United States, including children, requires a visa.
Eligibility Requirements for a C-1 Transit Visa:
- Valid visa in passport
- Sufficient cash for the transit voyage
- Evidence of destination transportation arrangements
- Flight arrangements and other valid visas to a third country must be made prior to filing for a transit visa
Application Requirements for C-1 Transit Visas:
- Electronic Non-Immigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160)
- Valid Passport
- 2×2 inch photograph that meets State Department requirements
- Fees for Filing Required
- Depending on the US Embassy or Consulate, more paperwork may be required
- Interview for Visa
Processing Time for US Transit Visas:
Any US visa processing time is determined by the workload of the US Embassy where you are applying. It will take longer if there are more applications. However, because the American Transit Visa is only valid for a brief period of time, it is processed more quickly than other visas. The Embassy will inform you whether you have been granted or denied a transit visa to the United States.
What are the C1 Visa’s Restrictions?
When the Us transit visa differs from other non-immigrant visas in that it does not allow you to stay in the country, you are limited in what you can do while there. The following activities are prohibited with a C1 visa in the United States:
- Overstay your visa in the United States
- In the United States, you can travel or study
- Obtain employment in the United States
- Enhance the C1 visa
- C1 visa status can be changed or adjusted
- With a C1 visa, apply for a Green Card
- Have only one transit visa for your dependents
- Dependents are not permitted to travel, work, or study in the United States
With a transit visa, how long may you stay in the United States?
All American transit visas (C1 visa, C2 visa, or C3 visa) are valid for a maximum of 29 days or until the date on your ticket to leave the US, whichever comes first. This means that if you arrive in the United States on December 1st, you must depart by December 29th. If you have a ticket to your final destination on December 20th, you must depart the United States on that date.
With a transit visa, may you bring your dependents?
The C1 visa does not allow for dependents. All transiting visitors to the United States, including spouses and children, must get a transit visa.