E-3 visa denial, ESTA blocked, B2 likely to be denied. Can I apply for a transit visa?

[JamesTS 1]

Hello! 

 

I have had a holiday booked in the Caribbean in December for many months.

 

I was recently informed that as my E-3 visa application was denied, my ESTA has been blocked. It's highly unlikely I'll be approved a B2 visa, as my boyfriend is a US citizen. 

 

I emailed the US Customs and Border Protection Information Center who provided the information below. I have since spoken to an immigration attorney who informed me C1 Transit visas are for crew on ships and similar, not for individuals transiting the country to get to their final destination. 

 

I would really appreciate any insights, as it's a lot more expensive to transit through Canada or Central America. 

 

A foreign traveler transiting the United States is required to present a valid passport and valid In-Transit visa issued by a United States Consular Official.  The exceptions are if the traveler has a valid B1/B2 visitor visa, is a citizen of a country eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) holding a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval, or a citizen of Canada.
Information about the VWP and ESTA is available on our official Web site at the following links: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/visa-waiver-program  https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta.
Please contact a United States embassy or consulate nearest you for information on applying for a C1 (In-Transit) visa:  https://www.usembassy.gov/.

B1/B2 Visitor visas

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html

C1 Transit visas

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/other-visa-categories/transit.html

 

 

Thanks so much!

[Roel 7,191]

Yeah, don't bother traveling through the US. Not with this "visa history".

 

(C1 visa is for everyone who just want to fly through the US.  C1/D visa is for crews.)

[Lemonslice 4,553]

Realistically, options are to: 

- find a direct flight

- transit through another country

- change you holiday destination

 

 

[EM_Vandaveer 2,368]

Or marry your boyfriend & apply for a spousal visa. That process takes about a year, give or take a couple of months.

[Boiler 43,430]

C/D is likely to be a waste of time/money, go another way.

Edited October 6, 2018 by Boiler

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

US does not have isolated transit areas the same as other countries, so a “normal traveller” (non crew) transit has basically the same requirements as a B visa. So unfortunately you may have to bite the bullet and take the more expensive route there.

[JamesTS 1]

Thanks so much for the advice. Obviously it's not what I had hoped to hear but it's better to find out now that go to the trouble of applying for a C1 transit visa.