Quick answer
Yes, you need permission even to change planes. Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries need an approved ESTA or a visa to transit the United States. Travellers from other countries generally need a transit (C) visa or another valid visa.
Quick check
Transit with ESTA
In the ESTA application, answer Yes to the question asking whether your travel to the US is occurring in transit to another country. Your passport must be an e-passport; this applies to emergency and temporary passports too.
Transit with a visa
Transit (C) visas are for people travelling in immediate and continuous transit through the United States on the way to another country. The application fee for a C-1 transit visa is $185, the same as for a visitor (B) visa.
Which one applies to you
| Your situation | What you need |
|---|---|
| Passport from one of the 42 Visa Waiver Program countries, not excluded | ESTA |
| Visa Waiver Program passport, but excluded (for example Cuba since 12 January 2021) | Visa |
| Any other nationality | Transit (C) visa or another valid US visa |
Not sure about the exclusions? See ESTA requirements.
Sources
Checked on 13 November 2026. Rules can change; the official pages below always take priority.