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2003 Press Releases

Homeland Security and Department of State Take Immediate Steps to Make Air Travel Even Safer

Special International In-Transit Programs Suspended

Bratislava, August 4, 2003

Washington, DC -The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State today suspended two programs that allow certain international air passengers to travel through the United States for transit purposes without first obtaining a visa. The programs, known as the Transit Without Visa program (TWOV) and the International-to-International transit program (ITI), have been suspended. The action takes effect at 11:00 a.m., Saturday August 2, 2003. (Note: All times are U.S. EDT). This action does not affect U.S. citizens or citizens from visa waiver countries.

Homeland Security and State will make three exceptions to these actions to accommodate travelers who may be immediately impacted. The three exceptions are:

  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, and who are 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.