A person can apply for C-1 status if their basis for entering the U.S. is “immediate and continuous transit through the U.S.”. This allows any C-1 visa holder a maximum of 29 days in the United States.

In 2026, the "limit" of a transit visa typically refers to two things: duration of stay and geographical movement. Most transit visas (such as those for the Schengen Area, India, or Japan) are valid for a maximum of 24 to 72 hours. This is strictly intended for travelers who need to change airports, collect bags and re-check them, or have a long overnight layover. If you plan to stay longer than three days, you must apply for a standard Tourist Visa. Furthermore, a transit visa usually limits you to the immediate vicinity of the airport or the city where you are transiting; you generally cannot use it to travel to other parts of the country. In 2026, many countries (like Germany) have started lifting "Airside Transit" visa requirements for certain nationalities, but if you need to "enter" the country (Landside) to change terminals or sleep at a hotel outside the gate area, the 48-to-72-hour limit is strictly enforced by immigration officials.