C-1/Tourist/Wedding visit - Can anyone shed some light?

[Daisy.Chain 317]

Good morning,

Assuming we're approved for his K-1 visa, my fiancee will be coming over this summer from the Dominican Republic, when we'll be married.

I am hoping his relative can attend. We were about to start the tourist visa process when his cousin mentioned that he already has a valid C-1 transit visa, in which he could stay up to 29 (?) days without breaking the law.

We won't need 29 days, but I am wondering what the regulations are on the C-1. He has passed through the US on his way to another country for work before. If his destination is the US for tourism, is that something he can do on a C-1 if it's less than 29 days, or do we still need the tourist visa?

Thanks for helping us stay legal! If there is a link to this topic somewhere, please send it to me. I couldn't find one.

J

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Transit © visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons traveling in immediate and continuous transit through the United States enroute to another country, with few exceptions.

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/other/transit.html

good luck

[Boiler 45,499]

If you can get a C you have a good probability of getting a B

[jan22 3,055]

If you can get a C you have a good probability of getting a B

Unless the C1 was issued as part of a C1/D...a transit visa coupled with a crew visa. They are often issued this way so a crew member can transit the US to join a ship or plane crew. If so, it might not give him a step up on a B visa application....but the only way to know is to apply.

What is clear is that he cannot use the C1 to get into the US to attend a wedding. He can only use it when he has immediate pLans to on,your transit the US. The visa must match the primary reason for entering the US. When the primary reason is to visit family -- for whatever reason -- must use a B2.