Are you an international traveler to the Usa from Paris, France? Have you now realized that you need a transit visa for the Usa ? The Usa government has now made it mandatory for anybody traveling between Europe and Asia to acquire a transit visa. This means that even if you have a spouse or family in the United States, you may not be able to see them unless you have a US transit visa.
U.S.A: If you are planning to transit the USA by air, you need a transit Visa in order to take up your journey at any U.S.A airport. Before you leave for an airport in America, first of all check out if you need a transit visa to pass through one of its airports conveniently, it is easy to do this by checking the website of the American Embassy or Consulate in your country where you have been accredited and contemplate whether you really need a visa to have that privilege of transiting through the USA .
Do You Need A Transit Visa For Usa
If you are wanting to travel to the USA and make stops along the way, then a transit visa is probable your only option. A transit visa allows you to enter the United States for a brief stopover. This stopover can be at an airport, a cruise ship port of call, or any other place in the USA that doesn’t require you to go through immigration. These types of visas are usually issued for up to five years but are only “transit” visas, not intended to allow you to live in the country.
How to Apply
You must take several steps to apply for a visa. The order of these steps and how you complete them may vary at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you apply. Please consult the instructions available on the embassy or consulate website where you will apply.
Complete the Online Visa Application
- Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 – Learn more about completing the DS-160. You must: 1) complete the online visa application and 2) print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
- Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your photo must be in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.
Schedule an Interview
While interviews are generally not required for applicants of certain ages outlined below, consular officers have the discretion to require an interview of any applicant, regardless of age.
| If you are age: | Then an interview is: |
|---|---|
| 13 and younger | Generally not required |
| 14-79 | Required (some exceptions for renewals) |
| 80 and older | Generally not required |
You must schedule an appointment for your visa interview, generally, at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at any U.S. Embassy orCconsulate, but be aware that it may be difficult to qualify for a visa outside of your place of permanent residence.
Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so you should apply for your visa early. Review the interview wait time for the location where you will apply:
Gather Required Documentation
Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview:
- Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person who needs a visa must submit a separate application.
- Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page
- Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview
- Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.
Additional Documentation May Be Required
Review the instructions for how to apply for a visa on the website of the embassy or consulate where you will apply. Additional documents may be requested to establish if you are qualified. For example, additional requested documents may include evidence that shows:
- Your purpose of entry into the United States is to transit while traveling onward to another country and that you intend to depart the United States;
- Your ability to pay all costs while in the United States; and/or
- Residence in your home country and your intent to return there.
Proof of your onward travel arrangements and/or permission to enter another country after departing the United States may be sufficient evidence that your purpose for entering the United States is transit. Evidence of your employment and/or your family ties may also be sufficient to show the purpose of your entry to the United States is transit only and your intent to return to your home country. If you cannot cover all costs while in the United States, you may show evidence that another person will cover some or all costs of your trip.
Attend Your Visa Interview
During your visa interview, a consular officer will determine whether you are qualified to receive a visa, and if so, which visa category is appropriate based on your purpose of travel. You will need to establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.
Ink-free, digital fingerprint scans will be taken as part of your application process. They are usually taken during your interview, but this varies based on location.
After your visa interview, your application may require further administrative processing. You will be informed by the consular officer if further processing is necessary for your application.
When the visa is approved, you may pay a visa issuance fee if applicable to your nationality, and will be informed how your passport with visa will be returned to you. Review the visa processing time, to learn how soon your passport with visa will generally be ready for pick-up or delivery by the courier.
Additional Information
- We cannot guarantee that you will be issued a visa. Do not make final travel plans or buy tickets until you have a visa.
- Unless canceled or revoked, a visa is valid until its expiration date. Therefore, a valid U.S. visa in an expired passport is still valid. If you have a valid visa in your expired passport, do not remove it from your expired passport. You may use your valid visa in your expired passport along with a new valid passport for travel and admission to the United States.
- Learn more about transiting the United States on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.