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If you are planning a trip to the United States and discovered that your passport has expired, while your U.S. visa is still valid, it is normal for questions to arise. The good news is that you do not need to apply for a new visa, but you will need to meet certain requirements to travel without issues.
According to the U.S. Department of State, a U.S. visa can remain valid even if the passport where it was stamped has expired.
Is the visa invalidated when the passport expires?
No. The Department of State notes that a valid visa does not automatically lose its validity because the passport containing it has expired. The visa can continue to be used as long as it remains valid, is not damaged, and corresponds to the main purpose of the trip.
For example, if you have a B1/B2 tourist visa with an expiration date in 2032, but your passport expired in 2026, the visa may still be valid.
Can I travel to the United States with a valid visa in an expired passport?
Yes, but not with the expired passport alone.
According to the Department of State, you must carry:
- Tu pasaporte nuevo y vigente.
- Tu pasaporte anterior vencido que contiene la visa válida, en caso de que esté pegada.
Additionally, both documents must correspond to the same country of issuance and the same type of passport.
What happens when arriving at the border or airport?
An officer from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will check the visa in the expired passport and the new valid passport. If they authorize your entry, they will record the admission in the valid passport.
In these cases, the notation "VIOPP" (Visa In Other Passport) may appear to indicate that the visa is located in a different document.
Never attempt to move the visa
The Department of State warns that you should not remove the visa from the expired passport or attempt to glue it into the new document. If you do so, the visa will no longer be valid.
The visa must remain exactly where it was originally placed by consular authorities.
What if I have a laser visa (BCC)?
The situation is different for those who possess a Border Crossing Card (BCC) or laser visa.
If your visa is issued as an independent card and is not attached to an expired passport, you can travel by presenting the valid visa along with your new valid passport when required.
Should I also renew my passport?
Yes. Although the visa may still be valid, to travel internationally you need a valid passport. Various countries and airlines usually require the document to have several months of remaining validity at the time of the trip.
Therefore, if your passport has already expired, it is recommended to renew it before scheduling your trip.
Does the visa guarantee entry into the United States?
No. The Department of State reminds that a valid visa only allows you to request admission to the country. The final decision regarding your entry always rests with CBP officers at the port of entry.
If your passport has expired but your U.S. visa is still valid, generally you do not need to apply for a new visa. What you must do is renew your passport and travel with both documents: the new valid passport and the old one containing the visa. As long as the visa is valid, legible, and shows no damage, you will be able to use it to request your entry into the United States.
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