C-1 Transit Visa

C1 transit visa is the official license granted to the eligible candidates who have to travel through the United States though their final destination is a different country. People who have proper non immigrant visas like B1 or B2 do not require a C1 transit visa. C1 transit visa can be used for both travelling in and out of the US.

But citizens of some of the countries which have a treaty with the US need not get a transit visa. This is known as the visa waiver program. Under this program, a number of countries namely Australia, Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Belgium, Brunei, Andorra, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Monaco, Luxemburg, new Zealand, the Netherlands, Liechtenstein, Norway, Portugal, san Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United kingdom along with Canada have signed the NAFTA agreement with the US. The citizens from the above mentioned countries need not show a transit visa to visit or business or go through the US. 

Not all the citizens are eligible to transit under the visa waiver program. Some still have to get B1 or B2 business or tourist visas.

From august 2^nd, 2003 US Department of Homeland Security and US department of state have suspended the TWOV (Transit with out Visa) and ITI (International To International) program.

C1 transit visa holders can only stay in the US for a maximum of 29 days or leave the US on the proposed flight or ship of departure, whichever is earlier. Each family member must apply for the transit visa separately and it does not allow the extension of visa or change of status or avail for other non-immigrant visa while you are on transit visa. In case you wish to extend your stay, an appropriate business or tourist visa must be taken.

C1 transit visa is only a single entry visa. You can travel only once with a transit visa. For future trips, new transit visas must be applied. You are also restricted from applying for green card or adjustment of status while travelling on a transit visa. Further you are not allowed to study or work in the US on the C1 visa.

There are also other transits visas namely C2 and C3 meant for media persons, NGOS’s, representatives of UN and member of foreign government who come on official business respectively.