Frequently Asked Questions
Suspension of Transit Without Visa
International-to-International
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of State have suspended the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) and International-to-International (ITI) programs for people who would otherwise be required to obtain a visa to travel to the U.S. Homeland Security and State are taking several steps to accommodate travelers who may have already purchased tickets, or who are currently on travel. These are some frequently asked questions about the Homeland Security order and the accommodations the Departments are allowing.
WHAT ACTION WAS ANNOUNCED?
The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State jointly issued an order that suspends the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) and International-to-International (ITI) passenger programs.
WHO IS AFFECTED BY THESE ACTIONS?
This action affects passengers who are traveling from one point outside the U.S. with a stop for transit purposes within the U.S. Under the TWOV and ITI programs, such passengers were not required to have a visa to enter the U.S. for transit purposes. As a result of this action, however, such passengers will now be required to have a U.S. visa, with certain exceptions (see below).
ARE THESE PROGRAMS BEING ELIMINATED ENTIRELY?
Though Homeland Security and State suspended the programs, over the next 60 days they are soliciting input from airlines and the public to find possible ways to re-implement the programs on an airline-by-airline basis, contingent upon implementation of additional security measures.
WHEN DOES THIS ACTION TAKE EFFECT?
This action takes effect at 11:00 a.m., August 2, 2003. (Note: All times are U.S. EDT)
WHY IS THIS ACTION NECESSARY?
Homeland Security and State have received specific, credible intelligence, including intelligence from the FBI and CIA, that certain terrorist organizations, including Al-Qaeda, have identified the visa and passport exemptions of the TWOV and ITI programs as a means to gain access to aircraft en route to or from the United States, to cause damage to infrastructure, injury, or loss of life in the United States or on board aircraft en route to or from the United States
WILL THERE BE EXCEPTIONS TO ACCOMMODATE PASSENGERS WHOSE TRAVEL MAY BE DISRUPTED BY THIS ACTION?
Yes. There will be three exceptions to accommodate travelers.
1) TWOV or ITI passengers in flight at the time the regulation goes into effect will be allowed to continue in transit and depart the U. S. subject to inspection and an evaluation of risk.
2) Travelers who purchased their tickets as TWOV or ITI passengers on or before July 24, 2003, scheduled to depart for transit through the U.S. before 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, August 5, 2003, need not obtain a visa to transit the U.S. For any flights scheduled to depart after 12:01 a.m. August 5 that include a stop in the U.S, however, these travelers must now either obtain a visa or change their travel itinerary to exclude a stop in the U.S.
3) If a person has already traveled through the U.S. as a TWOV or ITI passenger on the first leg of their trip and uses the return portion of their round trip ticket before 11:00 a.m., August 9, 2003, they will be permitted to make a stop in the U.S. without a visa on the return portion of their trip. They will be processed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspectors upon arrival in the United States. If they plan to transit the U.S. after that date and time, however, they must either obtain a visa or change their return itinerary to exclude a stop in the U.S.
WILL I BE ABLE TO OBTAIN A U.S. VISA IN A COUNTRY OTHER THAN MY HOME COUNTRY?
Yes. U.S. Consulates have been informed of the suspension of these programs, and
they are prepared to receive applications for visas from foreign nationals in countries other than the foreign national’s home country.
HOW QUICKLY CAN I OBTAIN A VISA TO TRANSIT THE U.S.?
U.S. Consulates are prepared to issue visas to qualified applicants on an expedited basis, for people who are currently traveling and would be required to reroute through a different country in order to return home under the new rules.
I AM A CITIZEN OF A VISA WAIVER COUNTRY, SO I NORMALLY DO NOT NEED A VISA TO ENTER THE UNITED STATES. AM I NOW REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A VISA TO TRANSIT THE UNITED STATES?
No. If you do not require a visa to enter the U.S. you do not require a visa to transit the U.S.
HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS AND THEIR SUSPENSION?
Information about the programs and their suspension can be obtained through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s web page at www.dhs.gov and the U.S. State Department’s web page at http://travel.state.gov.
