Visa Categories

Transit Visas (C-1)

If you are transiting through the United States on your way to a third country, you are required to have a U.S. visa.

You will need the following for your interview:

• A visa to your destination country and documents explaining the purpose of your visit.
• Evidence that you will either return to your home country or remain permanently in a country other than the United States

You may provide flight details if you have already made ticket reservations. However, please keep in mind that you must qualify individually for any non-immigrant visa. Paying for airline tickets in advance will not guarantee you a transit visa.

Crew (C-1 and D)

All crew members must obtain a nonimmigrant visa (C1 and/or D) prior to arrival in the United States. You need a D visa if you are a crew member joining a ship that will depart from the United States.

The following persons must request a crew or transit visa: Pilots, flight attendants, stewards, seamen, or employees on board a ship whose services are required for normal operation, or crew members traveling to the United States as passengers to join a vessel or aircraft. All crew members, including those renewing their visas, must appear at the Consular Section for a personal interview.

If you are a crew member who is transiting for more than 29 days in the U.S. or U.S. waters, you also need to apply for a B1/B2 visa. Please note: based on reciprocity, there is not a combined C1/D visa for applicants holding P.R. China passports; therefore, two separate application fees must be paid, one for the C-1 visa and one for the D visa.