It’s not always possible to reach your final destination in a single journey. In fact, you may have to make a stopover at an American airport or port before travelling to Canada, Mexico or Cuba, for example. This may be because you’re taking off from a specific location, or simply because plane or boat tickets are cheaper this way.

Is it essential to obtain ESTA authorization or a USA visa to transit the United States? This article answers all your questions.

Do I need authorization to transit the United States?

You’ve booked your trip and your return plane tickets to a destination such as Canada, Mexico or Cuba, and you need to transit the U.S. territory for a few hours?

It may sound strange, but you need to apply for authorization to make a stopover. Without authorization, you won’t be able to board the plane, let alone clear customs. Security measures in the United States have always been very strict, and any entry into the country requires authorization and an identity check. During a stopover, you may be asked to show proof of exit (your onward ticket to your destination).

You have two options for transiting the USA. Both must be obtained prior to departure for the USA.

Do I need a visa or ESTA to transit the United States?

All travelers wishing to enter the USA, even for a few hours, are required to apply for authorization. Homeland security is the United States’ top priority.

ESTA for transit

The ESTA, or Electronic System for Travel Authorization, can only be issued under certain conditions. To qualify for a visa waiver, travelers must meet the requirements of the Visa Waiver Program:

  • Only foreign nationals from countries covered by the Visa Waiver Program can apply for an ESTA;
  • A valid biometric or electronic passport is required for travel to the United States;
  • travel to the United States for a stopover, a tourist visit or a business trip;
  • enter the country via an approved airline or shipping company;
  • stay in the USA for up to 90 days;
  • prove to the American authorities that you are not a danger to American national security.

If this is your first ESTA application, you’re probably unfamiliar with the formalities involved. The ESTA application is an online application, so you don’t need to go to the U.S. embassy. You’ll need to fill in the ESTA form, which can be found on the official U.S. government website, or on a site that specializes in this formality. To do this, you need to enter your personal details and those of your valid passport, give your address in the USA and an emergency contact, and answer a series of questions about your current situation. The electronic systems in place will process your application within 72 hours. If approved, you can use your ESTA authorization for the full duration of its validity (two years) for multiple entries, provided you respect the authorized length of stay. If you obtain a new passport in the meantime, you will need to apply for a new ESTA, as this electronic travel authorization is linked to the passport number and is present in its microchip.

When filling in the online form, travelers can choose whether their application is for transit or a temporary stay in the United States.

Transit visa

Every trip to the U.S. requires a U.S. visa. If you plan to visit the USA as a tourist, you’ll need to apply for a B visa. Other visas exist for people wishing to work or study at an American university, for example.

To transit the USA, you need to apply for a C visa, or more precisely a C-1 visa. It allows you to transit the USA legally before arriving at your vacation destination.

To apply for a transit visa, you need to fill out form DS-160 (which is the visa application form, regardless of type) and compile an application file (passport photos, supporting documents, proof of payment, etc.). An interview at the US embassy is mandatory and will determine whether you can obtain a USA visa for your transit.

We must point out that a visa application can take several weeks and represents a more substantial budget: $185 minimum.