Are you planning an exciting journey to your dream destination? If so, remember the often-overlooked transit visa! This magical document is your golden ticket to cakewalk through a country while traveling to your final stop in another country.
Foreign passport holders may need to apply for a transit visa, depending on the specific requirements of the transit country. This article will explain a transit visa, the eligibility criteria, and how to easily apply for a U.S. transit visa.
What is a Transit Visa?
A transit visa is a type of visa that allows travelers to pass through a country briefly without entering, mainly for connecting flights or changing terminals. It ensures smooth travel to the final destination and often allows a short stay for exploration.
Primarily, a transit visa facilitates a smooth and uninterrupted travel experience, ensuring that travelers can continue their journey without needing a full entry visa. It also allows foreign passport holders to briefly explore the transit city, offering a glance at its culture and attractions.
In addition, there is a specific period when it’s valid, but this doesn’t determine how long you can stay. The transit country will decide the permitted duration, often hours to days.
You must ensure to follow these limits to avoid visa issues. Also, some visas allow staying only within the airport or port area. Leaving without permission can cause problems and might cancel the visa.
Eligibility Criteria for the U.S. Transit Visa
To qualify for a U.S. transit visa, you must fulfill one of the following criteria:
- Be a general non-US citizen on their way to a final destination and only pass through the U.S.
- Be a non-US citizen or U.N. official going to the U.N. headquarters in New York City.
- Be a foreign government official transiting through the U.S. to their final destination on a work-related trip.
Benefits of a U.S. Transit Visa
Although designed for temporary stay, transit visas are beneficial because they allow you to participate in the following:
Change Flights: With a transit visa, you can leave the airport during your layover and change flights to your final destination. This is especially useful if you have multiple connecting flights or need to switch airports.
Explore the City: If you have a long layover, a transit visa allows you to explore the city or area near the airport. You can visit tourist attractions, dine in local restaurants, or go sightseeing during your stopover.
Convenience: Transit visas provide flexibility and convenience, allowing you to make the most of your time in the U.S. rather than being confined to the airport terminal.
Emergency Situations: In a travel-related emergency, transit visas allow you to exit the airport and access local services or accommodations.
Shopping and Dining: You can take advantage of shopping and dining options near the airport, making your layover more enjoyable.
U.S. Transit Visa Application
To submit a complete application for a U.S. transit visa, ensure you follow the following process:
File form DS-160
Fill in the necessary fields in your DS-160 form and submit it online. You will receive a barcode number and confirmation page, which you will need later for your documents file. You can complete the DS-160 form online through the Consular Electronic Application Center.
Pay the U.S. transit visa application fee
The application fee for the U.S. transit visa is $160. You must pay this amount and save the receipt since you’ll need it later. There might be other fees depending on your location and the Embassy you are applying to.
However, there are no visa issuance fees for the C-2 visa because exchange measures have yet to be enforced for this type of U.S. transit visa.
Schedule your interview
Try to schedule your visa interview as soon as possible. U.S. Embassies have a high workload, so planning your interview might take a while.
The earlier it is, the better your travel arrangements will be. When you schedule your interview, you will get an interview confirmation letter you need later.
Submit the required documents for a U.S. transit visa
You must prepare the necessary documents to have with you when you go for the U.S. transit visa interview. It is best to attach all documents, even ones you may not necessarily need.
If your file needs any documents, there will be reason enough for the Embassy to delay or deny your visa. To apply for the U.S. transit visas, you should submit the following documents:
- Completed DS-160 application form
- Your passport should have at least one blank page to stamp a visa. Also, it must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay in the U.S. unless you are a citizen of these countries. You will only need a valid passport during your stay in the United States.
- One passport photograph must be taken according to the requirements set by the U.S. authorities.
- Proof of paid transit visa fee.
- A list of the social media you use, the name of your account in each, phone number, email, and social media history of the five previous years.
- Proof that you are allowed to enter the country of your final destination.
- Ticket or itinerary to your final destination.
- A letter that states the purpose of your visit to your final destination
- Proof of funds is needed to demonstrate that you are financially able to cover your expenses during your transit.
- Proof that you will return to your home or another country after your stay in the U.S. This could be a property deed, apartment lease, or other proof.
- If you are H.I.V. positive, you will need a letter from your doctor explaining your medical state, the risks associated with your condition, and evidence of medical health insurance.
- If you have been arrested in the U.S., you must submit a letter explaining the offense, the reasons for the arrest, and proof of whether you were convicted.
Attend your Transit visa interview
With your document file, you should attend the visa interview at the scheduled time. If your interview is successful, you will have a higher chance of getting a U.S. transit visa.
If granted the visa, you can successfully transit through the U.S. to your next or final destination.
What is the Processing Time for the U.S. Transit Visa?
When you submit your application, expect to wait at least five working days to receive a response on your visa status. The Embassy will let you know whether you have been granted or denied the U.S.A. transit visa.
Meanwhile, this is an average time estimate, so do not assume your visa has been rejected if it takes longer. Processing times for any U.S. visa depend on the workload that the U.S. Embassy from which you are applying has.
If there are more applications, it will take longer. However, since the U.S. transit visa is for such a short time, its processing time is faster than other visas. Of course, you only need the C1 visa at the U.S. airport; you can provide information about what airport you will be in and at what date.
If you submit a request and it is granted, the U.S. Embassy could send the documents to that airport with the visa, and it will be waiting for you when you transit through the United States.
What are the Restrictions on the U.S. Transit Visa?
Since the U.S. transit visa is different from other non-immigrant visas because you are not allowed to stay in the U.S., there are several limitations to what you can do there. With a U.S.A. transit visa, you are not allowed to do the following:
- Stay in the U.S. more than the designated time.
- Travel or study in the U.S.
- Become employed in the U.S.
- Extend the C1 visa.
- Adjust or change your status.
- Apply for a Green Card with a C1 visa.
- Have dependents with only one transit visa.
- Dependents cannot travel, work, or study in the U.S.
Conclusion
Transit visas in the U.S. are beneficial because they offer the flexibility to change flights, explore the local area, and make the most of your layover time, enhancing your travel experience. However, check the specific visa requirements based on your situation and nationality to get a smooth transit through the U.S.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Can I Stay in the US With a Transit Visa?
Since transiting takes little time, the validity of the transit visa could be higher. All American transit visas (C1, C2, or C3 visas) are valid for a maximum of 29 days or until the date to depart the U.S. is on your ticket, whichever one is sooner.
If you enter the U.S. on September 1, you must leave on or before September 29. However, if you have a ticket to your final destination on September 20, you must leave the U.S. on September 20.
Can I Bring My Dependents With a Transit Visa?
There are no dependent visas for the transit visa. All transiting to the U.S., including spouses and children, must have a transit visa. For instance, if a foreign government official is transiting through the U.S. with family, the family members must have individual transit visas.
