Transit/Ship Crew Visa
On this page:
Overview
Transit (C visa)
A citizen of a foreign country traveling in immediate and continuous transit through the United States en route to a foreign destination requires a valid transit visa. Exceptions to this requirement include those travelers eligible to transit the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program or travelers who are nationals of a country which has an agreement with the United States allowing their citizens to travel to the United States without visas.
If the traveler seeks layover privileges for purposes other than for transit through the United States, such as to visit friends or for sightseeing, the applicant will have to qualify for and obtain the type of visa required for that purpose, such as a B-2 visa.
Crew (D visa)
A crew member serving onboard a sea vessel or aircraft in the United States needs a crew visa. Crew members of an aircraft or ship that will be transiting through the United States or its waters generally use a combination transit/crew visa (C-1/D). However, in some cases, individuals may only require the D visa.
Crew members who work aboard vessels within the Outer Continental Shelf may qualify for a modified B-1 visa in lieu of a crew visa.
Crew members who will be entering the United States during time-off between flights or cruises should also obtain a B-1/B-2 visa to use during these personal/vacation days. Applicants applying simultaneously for both a C-1/D and a B-1/B-2 visa pay only one visa application fee.
Qualifications
To apply for a transit visa, you must show:
- Intent to pass in immediate and continuous transit through the United States.
- A common carrier ticket or other evidence of transportation arrangements to your destination.
- Sufficient funds to carry out the purpose of your transit journey.
- Permission to enter another country upon departure from the United States.
To apply for other C, D, or C-1/D visas, you must demonstrate to a consular officer that:
- The purpose of your trip is to enter the United States solely for transit or crew purposes.
- You do not intend to be paid by a U.S. source while in the United States, unless you have been granted proper approval for a temporary work visa.
- You plan to stay for a specific, limited period of time.
- You have evidence of funds to cover all expenses while in the United States.
Certain applicants who meet the requirements for the C1/D Visa Renewal Program are not required to make an appointment and personally appear for an interview. Please visit Applicants Not Requiring a Personal Appearance for more details.
Application Items
To apply for a transit or crew member visa, you must submit the following:
- A Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) Form confirmation page. Visit the DS-160 web page for more information about the DS-160.
- A valid passport. Most visa applicants must have a passport valid for at least 6 months past the date of their anticipated departure from the United States. Taiwan passport holders and passport holders from certain countries may enter the United States with passports that will expire in less than 6 months. However, they will not be permitted to remain in the U.S. beyond the validity of their passports.
- All previous passports - If your previous passports are lost or stolen, you must provide AIT with a Certificate of Entry and Exit Dates (from 1983 to present). To obtain a Certificate of Entry and Exit Dates, please visit the Taiwan National Immigration Agency’s website for details. If you have reported for passport lost, please also provide the police report.
- One color photograph (5cmx5cm) taken within the last six months with a white or off-white background. Starting November 1, 2016, eyeglasses will no longer be allowed in visa photos. This web page has information about the required photo format.
- A receipt showing payment of your non-refundable nonimmigrant visa application processing fee paid in local currency. This web page has more information about paying this fee. If a visa is issued, there may be an additional visa issuance reciprocity fee, depending on your nationality. The Department of State's website can help you find out if you must pay a visa issuance reciprocity fee and what the fee amount is.( AIT strongly advises all customers to bring cash, as our system does not always accommodate credit card transactions. Thank you.)
Note: If you are in Taiwan and wish to apply for a C-2 or C-3 visa, please contact the American Institute in Taiwan at support-taiwan@ustraveldocs.com to determine if you are required to pay a fee and/or schedule an appointment for your visa application. - An interview appointment letter confirming that you booked an appointment through this service.
- If you have legally changed your name, please bring your most recent Taiwan Household Registration Record (with detailed notes). If you are not a Taiwan resident, please bring your Taiwan Alien Resident Certificate or your Taiwan visa information.
- Applicants in scientific fields, or with technical and scientific backgrounds, may be required to provide additional documents. See the Administrative Processing webpage for details.
- If you have been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime, please bring the police record or court documents to your interview. (If the original record was not written in English, please also provide an English translation.) Please also provide a Taiwan Police Criminal Record Certificate regardless of where you were arrested or convicted.
- If you have abandoned your U.S. lawful permanent resident status (or green card), please provide proof of abandonment.
- If applicable, a seaman's book valid beyond the expiration date of your employment contract and all prior seamen's books. Crew members must submit an official report of loss if they are unable to submit the book.
You may also bring whatever supporting documents you believe support the information provided to the consular officer.
How to Apply
Step 1
Complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form.
Step 2
Pay the visa application fee. Note: If you are in Taiwan and wish to apply for a C-2 or C-3 visa, please contact the American Institute in Taiwan at support-taiwan@ustraveldocs.com to determine if you are required to pay a fee and/or schedule an appointment for your visa application.
Step 3
Schedule your appointment on this web page. You need three pieces of information in order to schedule your appointment:
- Your passport number
- The receipt number from your Visa Fee receipt. (Click here if you need help finding this number.)
- The ten (10) digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page
Step 4
Visit the American Institute in Taiwan on the date and time of your visa interview. You must bring all the application items listed above. Applicants will not be allowed to enter the American Institute in Taiwan without these documents. Applications without all of these items will not be accepted.
Supporting Documents
Supporting documents are only one of many factors a consular officer will consider in your interview. Consular officers look at each application individually and consider professional, social, cultural and other factors during adjudication. Consular officers may look at your specific intentions, family situation, and your long-range plans and prospects within your country of residence. Each case is examined individually and is accorded every consideration under the law.
Although supporting documents may assist you in your interview, consular officers rely primarily on the interview to determine your eligibility for a visa. In other words, supporting documents are voluntary and of secondary importance.
Caution: Do not present false documents. Fraud or misrepresentation can result in permanent visa ineligibility. If confidentiality is a concern, you should bring your documents to the American Institute in Taiwan in a sealed envelope. The American Institute in Taiwan will not make your information available to anyone and will respect the confidentiality of your information.
You should bring the following documents to your interview:
- Current proof of income, tax payments, property or business ownership, or assets.
- A letter from your employer detailing your position, salary, how long you have been employed, any authorized vacation and the business purpose, if any, of your U.S. trip.
- Where appropriate, an itinerary and/or other information about your planned trip. (This can be tentative.)
- Bank savings account books or other evidence of liquid assets that indicate the balance in your accounts and account activity.
- Real estate lease or deeds.
- For crew: a letter from your company's headquarters and/or your seamen's book.
More Information
For more information about transit visas and visas for crew members, visit the Department of State's website.