The US offers different types of short-visit visas for – business travelers, tourists, and future spouses.

• Those planning a short visit to the US – for business or tourism – might be required to get a US visitor or transit visa.

• The US visa to be applied for will be as per the purpose of visiting the US.

The US B2 visa is the best way for short term visitors to visit the US. It is typically issued for a period of 6 months. In some cases, it is issued as a multiple-entry visa for a period of up to 10 years. Key details of the B2 visa are:

• You must be able to persuade US consular officials at a US Embassy that they are not visiting the country with an intention to become an immigrant of that country

• You must show reasons and evidence that you would definitely return to your home country

• You must book appointments for giving your biometrics (finger scan) and visa interview

• Children below 14 years and adults above 80 years are not required to visit the Embassy for an interview and can submit the documents at the Embassy.

• People who already had a US Visit Visa and now applying for renewal can get the visa renewed by booking the visa appointment at the USA Embassy and submitting the documents in person

• Submit the Form DS-160

• Pay the visa fees

• Schedule the tourist visa interview at the US embassy or consulate

• Complete the B-2 visa document file

• Attend the visa interview

If you have applied for the US tourist visa, you will be required to attend a visa interview where you will be asked questions about the purpose of your trip and your travel plans.

• Schedule an appointment for your visa interview in the country where you reside: While your interview may be scheduled at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate, it may be more difficult to obtain a visa outside the country where you live permanently.) Search for your country of residence at USEmbassy.gov to find the nearest embassy or consulate — and its contact details.

• Check on the wait time: Understand that wait times differ according to the venue, visa category and even season, which is why applying early is crucial.

• Pay the visa application fee which is non-refundable

• Gather the required documents: These include:

• Passport valid 6 months after your scheduled departure from the US

• Type DS-160 confirmation page for non-immigrant visa application

• Receipt of Transaction Fee

• One printed photo that satisfies visitor visa requirements

• Prepare for the interview by rehearsing answers for frequently asked questions

Visa interviews are generally required of travelers between the ages of 14-79, Typically, interviews are not required of applicants 13 years of age and younger or 80 years of age and older—through consular officers can choose to interview any visa applicant, regardless of age.

You might be traveling to a destination but have to necessarily stop for a layover within the United States. This means that you will have to transit through the US. For this, you will need a C1 visa or the Transit Visa for USA.

A US Transit Visa gives you permission to enter the US and stay for a layover. 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 immediate and continuous transit through the country. This means that if travel to your final destination requires a layover in the US and you will be allowed to stop in the US but will have no other privileges.

The Transit visa allows you to stay in the US only for the approved time because this is not a visa for tourism or business.

Typically, the visa is processed within 5 days. Processing times for any US visa depends on the workload of the US Embassy from where you are applying. If there are more applications, it will take a longer time. Since the C1 visa has a shorter duration, its processing time will be faster compared to other visas.

• Completed DS-160 application form.

• Your passport with at least one blank page to be able to affix visa.

• One photograph fulfilling the requirements set by the US authorities.

• Proof of having paid transit visa fees.

• Social media details.

• Proof that you are allowed to enter the country of your final destination.

• Ticket or itinerary to your final destination.

• Letter stating the purpose of your visit to your final destination.

• Proof of having funds to cover your expenses during your transit.

• Proof that you will return to your home or another country after your stay in the US.

• Proof of medical health insurance.

• Submit the Form DS-160

• Pay the visa fees

• Schedule the transit visa interview at the US embassy or consulate

• Submit the required documents

• Attend the visa interview

What Are the Restrictions of the C1 Visa?

Since the C1 visa does not allow you to stay in the US, there are several restrictions that you will have to follow with the C1 visa, you cannot:

• Stay in the US for more than the designated time.

• Travel or study in the US.

• Find employment in the US.

• Extend the C1 visa.

• Adjust or change the status of the C1 visa.

• Apply for a Green Card with a C1 visa.

• Bring dependents with only one transit visa.

• Dependents cannot travel, work, or study in the US on the C1 visa

How Long Can I Stay in the US with a C1 Visa?

Since transiting is for a short duration, the validity of the C1 visa is short.  The visa is valid for a period of a maximum of 29 days or until the date of departure from the US on your ticket, whichever is earlier.