US Visa on Expired Passport - Will it still be Valid to enter USA? [Guide to Valid US Visa on Old Passport ]

Can I enter US with Valid B1/B2 Visa in Expired Passport? Here’s my guide on what to do with your US Visa on Expired Passport. I also answer below the most frequently asked questions about stolen passport with US visa or even damaged US visa.

Getting a US Visa is not an easy process; you need to gather documents and have an interview at the Embassy. Though I have been approved for ten years, there are still quite a lot of people whose application were denied. If you want to learn how to apply for a US Tourist Visa with a Philippine Passport, check my article.

A US Tourist Visa (B1/B2) can be valid from 1 month to 10 years and allows you 1, 2 or multiple entries to the USA and a period of stay for a maximum 6 months. Sometimes, your personal passport’s validity is shorter than the visa. The old Philippine Passport was good for 5 years, the new one which started last year is good for 10 years.

Now, the question is, will my hard work in getting that Visa is gone because of an expired passport? Read my tips for you below and also answering some of the frequently asked questions!

My passport expired, is my US Visa still Valid?

Yes, it still valid. However, it would be best if you renewed your passport. Travel with two passports, your old one with the US visa and the new one.

My old passport got damaged, is my US Visa valid?

Yes, it is still valid as long as the bio-page is still there. Travel with two passports, your old one with the US visa and the new one.

How do I know if my passport is damaged and needs replacement?

Damage that might require you to replace your passport includes water damage, a significant tear, unofficial markings on the data page, missing visa pages (torn out), a hole punch, or other injuries. Normal "wear and tear" of a passport is expected and likely does not count as "damage."  For instance, normal wear includes the bend of a passport after being carried in your back pocket or fanning of the visa pages after extensive opening and closing.

Can I transfer my USA Visa from my old passport o the new one?

No, do not try removing your visa from the old passport and paste it to the new one as it will be no longer valid.

I want my visa to be in my new passport, what do I do?

You need to apply for a new visa if you want to put it in your new passport.

My visa got damaged, is it still valid?

A damaged visa is no longer valid and can not be used for travel in the US. You need to apply again.

I got a new passport from another country, is my US Visa still valid?

No. Both passports, the old and the new, should be from the same country. If your old one was a Philippine passport, but you have citizenship in another country and decided to get your new passport from there, then you need to apply for a new US Visa.

I got a new passport, but the type has changed, is my US Visa still valid?

No. Both passports, the old and the new one, should be of the same type. If your old passport was an official or diplomatic passport and your new passport is a regular passport, then you need to apply for a new US Visa.

I got married, but in my old passport, it’s still my maiden name, is my US Visa still valid?

Yes. As long as your passport and US visa hasn’t expired, you can still use them both. Just carry around an ID with your maiden name for proof.

I got married, and my passport has expired, should I still use my maiden name in my new passport for the US Visa to be valid?

You can use your married name, change your last name to your husband’s. You may travel to US with your old and new passport along with your marriage certificate.

I got a new passport; however, my last name changed due to marriage, is my US Visa still valid?

Yes. You may travel to US with your old and new passport along with your marriage certificate.

My passport was stolen along with my US Visa, what should I do?

You are encouraged to report the theft of your passport with your US visa to the Embassy or Consulate. This is to prevent identity theft and illegal use of your identity.

I cannot find my passport with my US Visa; I think it is lost, what should I do?

Make sure you double-check everywhere you might have placed it. If it is indeed lost, you are encouraged to report the loss of your passport with your US visa to the Embassy or Consulate. This is to prevent identity theft and illegal use of your identity when it is on the wrong hands.

Where should I report my missing passport with valid US visa?

Email the Consular Section of the  U.S. Embassy or Consulate which issued your visa. Be sure to include your full name, birth date, birthplace, address, and an e-mail address (if available). Specify whether the visa was lost or stolen. Email a copy of your passport or visa this to the embassy or consulate, if you have one. Otherwise, if known, report the category of visa and the passport number from the lost/stolen visa.

I recovered my lost passport with US visa, is it still valid?

Your US visa will be invalid for future travel to the US.  Therefore, you must apply for a new visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. That’s why if it is lost, try to find it with your 200% as it will be invalid after reporting it.

I didn’t recover my Visa, what do I do?

Apply for replacement a U.S. Embassy or Consulate; this must be in person. For a replacement visa, provide a written account documenting the loss of your passport and visa and attach a copy of the police report.

Can you give me tips in case I lose my passport or documents in the US?

Take a picture or make a copy of you bio-page, US visa, admission stamp or Form I-94, as soon as you get in the United States.

While I was touring in the US, my passport with my US visa got lost or stolen, should I get out of the country as soon as possible?

You can remain in the USA until your authorized duration of stay, based on your admission stamp or Arrival/Departure Record (Form I-94). However, you will need a valid passport to depart and enter another country.

What should I do if my passport, US Visa, Arrival/Departure record got lost/stolen in the US?

* File a police report detailing the incident

* Request replacement of Form I-94

* Report to your embassy regarding your lost/stolen in the US

* Report your lost/stolen visa to the embassy or consulate where it is issued

Can I apply for a new visa in the US?

Lost/stolen U.S. visas cannot be replaced in the USA. Apply for replacement a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad (not in the US); this must be in person. For a replacement visa, provide a written account documenting the loss of your passport and visa and a copy of the police report.

Always be careful and take care of your passport and visa, those are the keys to entering (and departing) the United States of America. Please place them in a safety box or a passport wallet, don’t let it get wet, near your pets (they might bite it to pieces) or curious children (they may draw on your bio page). Make sure to check know the expirations too, to avoid cancellation of planned trips. I hope this would help you not only on knowing if your US visa is still valid on an expired passport but a lot more.

READ OUR OTHER ARTICLES: