Foreign nationals are required to get appropriate visa if they plan to enter America whether for a small period of time or for months & years. Regardless of their reasons or requirements, getting a visa is the most important aspect of their arrival to the country.
Foreigners who are travelling to the United States for immediate and continuous transit need transit or C visa. On the other hand, foreign nationals coming to the country to serve on board a sea vessel or aircraft also need appropriate visa, which falls under the crew or D category.
However, there are several steps that you need to follow to apply for and get these visas. It includes –
Step 1 – Information – In the very first step, you need to gather as much information as you can about these categories. If you are planning to immediate and continuous transit through the USA, which is included in your route to a foreign destination, you will require a valid C visa. However, if your country is included in the list of the Visa Waiver Program nations, you do not to apply under this category.
In this program, foreign nationals of those countries can stay in the USA for 90 days or less. With some countries, America has agreements to allow their nationals to enter the country without visa. If the applicant is from these nations, they do not need to apply. To clear the confusion about the application, you should consult a renowned immigration law firm such as Wildes and Weinberg.
Applicants who want to come to the United States to serve on board a sea vessel or aircraft, they require a crew (D) visa. Under this category, those who will be transiting through the country or its waters can apply for (C-1/D). If you want to enter America for vacation or personal reasons, then you will have to opt for appropriate category.
Step 2 – Qualification – Before applying for any visa, it is vital that you make sure that you qualify for all eligibility requirements. For this purpose, you will need to show that –
- You intent to pass in immediate and continuous transit through the nation or its waters. You have to prove that your sole purpose is to enter the country only for transit or crew purposes.
- You intend to stay for a predetermined and limited period of time.
- You will have to show the ticket or any other evidence of transportation to your destination, where you are headed.
- You need to show that you have the permission to enter another country after your departure from the USA.
- For the C, D or C-1/D categories, you have to prove that you do not intend to be paid by a U.S. source during your transit.
- You will have to show the sufficient funds to the immigration authorities to prove that you are financially capable of carrying out the purpose of your transit journey.
Step 3 – Apply – Once you know that you qualify for all the eligibility requirements needed for your visa, you can consult with a recognized law firm and apply. You can fill out the non-immigrant visa electronic application (DS-160) form to apply with accurate information and book your appointment with counsellor.
Still, there are many little details related to application that you need to pay attention to, which is why it is advised to contact an immigration firm such as Wildes & Weinberg.
Wildes & Weinberg, P.C., is an established American law firm that has offices in New York, Miami, Los Angeles and New Jersey. The firm has assisted clients in numerous immigration cases over the years.
