C Visa - The In Transit VIsa
Typically, a citizen of a foreign country who desires to enter a United States must initially obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary visit, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Transit (C) visas are nonimmigrant visas for individuals traveling through the U.S. and continuing their trip to another country.
In the event the traveler has a valid tourist (B) visa, he or she would be able to make use of it in order to travel through the United States. If you are a citizen of countries that participate in the Visa Waiver you will not need a C visa
Travel Purposes Requiring a C Visa
A citizen from another country that stops briefly in the U.S. and continues traveling to anther country is permitted a C visa. The only reason for the stop in the U.S. is to be in transit to another place.
A passenger on a foreign cruise ship or other vessel that is proceeding directly to another country, other than the United States, and the vessel makes port in the United States with no intention of actually landing in the United States.
A crewmember arriving in the U.S., to join a ship or aircraft where he will be a member of the crew. In this case, a crewmember D visa, usually issued as a combination C-1/D visa.
A foreign citizen traveling to or from the United Nations Headquarters District, under provisions of the Headquarters agreement with the United Nations, requires a diplomatic transit (C-2) visa. Travel in this case, is limited to the New York City vicinity.
Travel Purposes Not Permitted for a C Visa
A foreign citizen whose stopover in the United States is not just for a short layover, but really for another purpose other than to transit, for example to study or visit friends. This intent required a B visa.
A coasting officer, are employed temporarily when an officer of a foreign ship is granted home leave while the vessel is in U.S. ports, desiring to enter the United States normally requires a visitor (B) visa.
A crew member on a foreign private yacht that will be cruising in U.S. waters for more than 29 days is normally required to have a visitor (B) visa.
Those on an International Organization (G-4) visa, who are officers or employees of a designated international organization assigned to the United States may pass in transit through the United States
Big Drawback for C visa holders that Overstay
If a C visa holder fails to depart on time, he or she would be considered in illegal status. If some day the C visa holder decides for file for their permanent residencey (Green card) while in the U.S., they would not be permitted. Instead they will have to trave abroad to a U.S. Consulate to process their case, When this happens, the is a 3 or 10 year bar to reentry.
