How can an internation student fly back to China through USA?

[laotumao]

My friend found a cheap plane ticket to fly back to China from Canada, but has to stay in Hawaii for 21 hours. He's a Chinese student with study permit and TR visa in Canada. Does he need a USA visa or can he just apply for a transit visa at Hawaii airport? Is it difficult? Not sure how this works. Need help please!

 

[PMM]

Hi

My friend found a cheap plane ticket to fly back to China from Canada, but has to stay in Hawaii for 21 hours. He's a Chinese student with study permit and TR visa in Canada. Does he need a USA visa or can he just apply for a transit visa at Hawaii airport? Is it difficult? Not sure how this works. Need help please!

He needs a US transit visa and has to apply for it from a US consulate in Canada.

 

[computergeek]

See: http://canada.usembassy.gov/visas/visas/categories-and-requirements/alien-in-transit.html

Note there is no fee, it is good for multiple uses and has a validity period of 24 months. Much of the processing is done electronically these days, but do require an interview. Your friend should plan in advance for this.

 

[laotumao]

Thank you so much PMM and Computergeek for your reply and suggestions. Anyway, my friend is planning to visit the USA sooner or later. Can he apply a tourist visa that he can also use for this transit? Thanks in advance!