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.

A transit visa is a specialized, short-term travel document that allows a traveler to pass through a country's territory on their way to a third destination. In 2026, there are two main types: a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV), which is for passengers who remain in the international transit lounge of an airport without passing through border control, and a Visitor in Transit Visa, for those who need to change airports or stay overnight in a hotel before their next flight. You might need a transit visa even if you never intend to leave the airport, depending on your nationality and the specific rules of the country you are transiting through (for example, the U.S. requires a C-1 visa for most travelers not on a waiver). These visas usually have a very short validity, often just 24 to 48 hours. It is critical to check the requirements for every "connection" on your itinerary, as being caught without a necessary transit visa can result in being denied boarding at your initial point of departure.