Visiting USA with a transit visa
I am a South African currently holding a US transit visa, which expires in 2023. If I want to visit the USA for 12 days do I need to apply for another type of visa?
Best Answer
If you have a C visa, you can't use that.
Transit (C) visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons traveling in immediate and continuous transit through the United States en route to another country, with few exceptions. Immediate and continuous transit is defined as a reasonably expeditious departure of the traveler in the normal course of travel as the elements permit and assumes a prearranged itinerary without any unreasonable layover privileges. If the traveler seeks layover privileges for purposes other than for transit through the United States, such as to visit friends or engage in sightseeing, the traveler will have to qualify for the type of visa required for that purpose.
[...]
Travel purposes not permitted on a Transit (C) visa - Examples
- A foreign citizen whose layover in the United States is for a primary purpose other than to transit, for example to visit friends or sightsee, requires a visitor (B) visa. – State Department
In other words, you can only use a C visa if your purpose for entering the USA is just to be there briefly catch a flight (or other means of transport) to another country. That might take a few days (e.g., if flights are infrequent or if you were taking a train from Canada to Mexico) but I doubt your 12-day visit is just to catch a plane.
Pictures about "Visiting USA with a transit visa"
Can I enter US with transit visa?
A US Transit Visa is a permit to to enter the US and stay for a layover. Afterward, when your planned flight or ship leaves for your next destination, you will have to leave the US. The US government issues C1 visas for USA for immediate and continuous transit through the country.Do I need a transit visa for a connecting flight in USA?
ESTA is required in all cases of entering the U.S. Travelers must apply for and receive ESTA even when transiting in the U.S. to a third country without a visa. You must apply for ESTA in any of the following cases: transit, transfer, or stopover (layover).How long can you stay in the US with a transit visa?
C Transit Visas Visa holders may stay in the US for a maximum of 29 days or on the proposed flight or ship departure, which is earlier.Do I Need A Transit Visa If My Plane Has A Stop In The US?
More answers regarding visiting USA with a transit visa
Answer 2
When you arrive on a transit visa you will have to pass immigration. If you are trying to stay for 12 days they will most likely send you back home as that is not transiting, that is tourism. If you "Miss your transit flight", stay for 12 days, then go back home, you will prob be denied future entry into the US and have problems for at least the next 10 years visiting or transiting the US.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Uriel Mont, Uriel Mont, Uriel Mont, Charlotte May