C - Transit Through The United States

If you are not eligible to transit the U.S under the Visa Waiver Program or on a B-1/B-2 visitor visa, you will be required to apply for a Transit C-1 visa before traveling. 

A Transit visa is issued to aliens proceeding in immediate and continuous transit through the U.S. en route to a foreign destination, and will only be issued when an officer is satisfied that the transit journey will not be interrupted. "Transit aliens" are not required to remain in the transit lounge at the airport; once admitted to the U.S., they can visit friends, see a show, etc., so long as they continue their journey within the authorized period of stay. In issuing the visa the consular officer must be satisfied that the principal purpose of the trip is to transit the U.S.

Last modified on Thu, 11 Mar 2010