Transit Visa to the USA

If you are flying to one of the countries in South or Central America, you have probably already noticed that most inexpensive flight options involve a layover in the USA. Such offers should be treated very carefully because when transiting through the USA, a transit visa is always required. It doesn't matter if you will leave the airport or not, and how long the layover lasts - 6 hours or just half an hour, a visa is needed in any case.

How to apply for a transit visa to the USA?

First, you need to decide which specific type of visa you need. If you are transiting and will not be leaving the city to sightsee, then apply for a C-1 category visa. If you want to combine business with pleasure, i.e., see the city, visit friends, etc., then it is better to apply for a B-2 visa. The set of documents differs slightly depending on the type of visa, but the procedure itself and the difficulty of obtaining it are absolutely equivalent. When applying for a transit visa (type C-1), passengers must demonstrate:

• The purpose of your stay in the USA is exclusively transit, i.e., a transfer from one plane to another.
• Air ticket
• Availability of sufficient funds to cover the transit trip.
• A document confirming permission to enter the country of destination. For example, a visa, if required for entry.

When applying for a US transit visa, you must provide the following documents:

• Electronic application form DS-160. A separate application must be submitted for a child, even if they are included in a parent's passport.
• A foreign passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended period of stay in the USA.
• 1 photograph measuring 5 x 5 cm.
• An interview appointment letter confirming that you have scheduled an interview.

For the interview at the US consulate, you can bring any documents that, in your opinion, confirm the information provided to the consular officer (bank statements, salary certificates, travel itinerary, etc.). Almost the same requirements apply to a transit visa as to a regular one, so it is advisable to apply for a B-2 category visa immediately. As a rule, they are long-term and multiple-entry. This means that even if you are not planning a trip to the States in the near future, you can postpone it for later. The cost of a C-1 or B-2 visa is the same.