Last reviewed September 2026
Overview: The C-1 visa authorizes immediate and continuous transit through the United States only, with no stop for other purposes, while the B-1/B2 visa allows an actual stay for business or tourism. Using the wrong one can create admission problems, and travelers from certain countries connecting through the U.S. should also check whether the 2026 visa bond program applies to them before assuming a straightforward transit.
What "immediate and continuous transit" means
C-1 is built around passing through the United States on the way to a third country, not stopping to conduct business, sightsee, or visit anyone. A traveler admitted on C-1 is expected to proceed to their onward destination without deviation.
Who typically needs a C-1 visa
Someone connecting through a U.S. airport en route to a country other than the U.S. or their own, who is not eligible to transit visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program, generally needs a C-1 visa for the layover itself.
When a layover actually requires a B-1/B2 visa instead
If the traveler plans to leave the airport, conduct any business, or otherwise engage in an activity beyond waiting for a connecting flight, transit alone does not cover the trip, and a B-1/B2 visa is the more appropriate category. A long layover used to see the city, even briefly, is not "immediate and continuous transit."
Combined C-1/D visas for crew connections
Airline and vessel crew connecting through the U.S. to join or leave their assignment are generally issued a combined C-1/D visa rather than a plain C-1, since their situation involves both transit and crew-specific activity.
Transiting without a visa under ESTA
Eligible nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries can often transit under ESTA rather than obtaining a C-1 visa at all, subject to the same 90-day maximum and eligibility rules that apply to any other ESTA-authorized trip. Ineligibility for ESTA, including recent travel to certain countries, pushes a traveler back toward needing an actual visa for the connection.
Choosing the right category for a connecting itinerary
The deciding question is simple: is this genuinely just a connection, or does the itinerary include time in the U.S. beyond what is needed to catch the next flight. Travelers from countries on the 2026 visa bond list should also confirm whether that program affects a B-1/B2 application if their connection turns out to need one instead of a C-1.
Official sources
Related reading
TR Immigration is an independent immigration information platform. It is not a law firm. Nothing here is legal advice, an eligibility determination, or a prediction about your case. Rules and fees change often, so confirm anything you rely on against the official page it links to.