A U.S. visa is printed in a passport, so a consulate cannot issue one in a passport that has expired or will expire too soon. If your passport expires before the interview, or soon after, renew it first and update your application. Visas already in an old passport can often still be used.
How long the passport must be valid
For many Nonimmigrant visaA visa for a temporary stay for a specific purpose, such as study, tourism, or employment, for example F-1, B-2 or H-1B.See it in the glossary, the passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay, but many countries have agreements that relax this, so their citizens need a passport valid only for the stay. For Immigrant visaA visa issued at a consulate to a person intending to live permanently in the United States. On admission the holder becomes a permanent resident.See it in the glossary, applicants generally need a passport valid for six months beyond the intended date of entry; the State Department states this on its diversity visa interview page, and similar requirements appear in immigrant visa instructions.
If your passport expires before the interview
- Renew it through your country’s passport authority. Processing times vary, so start early.
- Update your visa application. For nonimmigrant visas, the DS-160 includes the passport number; you may need to create a new DS-160 or update your appointment profile so the new passport number matches.
- For immigrant visas, upload the new passport biographic page to the case through the National Visa Center (NVC)The State Department office that collects fees and documents from approved petitioners before a case is scheduled at a consulate.See it in the glossary’s online system before the interview.
- Bring both passports to the interview if the old one contains prior U.S. visas.
If your passport is lost or stolen before the interview
Report it to your country’s authorities, get a replacement, and update your application. If the lost passport contained a U.S. visa, that visa should be treated as no longer usable.
A valid visa in an expired passport
A U.S. visa in an expired passport generally remains valid until its own expiration date, as long as it is not damaged and was not canceled. The State Department explains that travelers can present the old passport with the valid visa together with a new valid passport, as long as the visa type matches the purpose of the trip. See its page on visa expiration.
Names and details that changed
If your name changed with the new passport, for example after marriage, bring legal proof of the change. Differences between documents can cause delays, so keep records consistent. Our guide to documents that delay cases covers name and date discrepancies.
Dual nationals
If you hold two nationalities, you generally apply with one passport and must disclose both. Choose deliberately, since the passport affects visa fees, validity and, for Visa Waiver travelers, eligibility. See why your passport can change your options.
Interview waivers and renewals
Some applicants renewing a visa may qualify for an interview waiver, depending on the category and current State Department rules. A new passport does not by itself disqualify someone from renewal, but the application must list the current passport.
After the visa is issued
Check the visa for errors before leaving the consulate or when the passport is returned, including the name, passport number and category. Errors are easier to fix right away. For what the interview involves, see what really happens at a visa interview. For immigrant visa interviews, the State Department’s applicant interview page lists what to bring.
Timing your renewal
If your passport will expire within about a year, consider renewing before starting a U.S. visa application. Passport renewals can take longer than expected, and a new passport number mid-process creates extra steps. For immigrant visa cases, the National Visa Center reviews civil documents and passports before scheduling, so a soon-to-expire passport can delay scheduling.
Children’s passports
Children’s passports often have shorter validity than adults’. Check each family member’s passport, not just the principal applicant’s, before the interview.
Renewing a passport while inside the United States
Many foreign governments allow citizens to renew passports through their embassy or consulates in the United States. Nonimmigrants should keep their passport valid while maintaining status, since USCIS filings such as extensions often require valid passport information. A new passport does not change your U.S. status, but the new passport number should be used on future filings.
What if the consulate issues a visa that expires with the passport?
Visa validity is set by reciprocity tables and consular discretion, not strictly by passport validity. A visa can remain valid after the passport expires, as noted above. Check the visa’s own expiration date.
A checklist before the interview
- Check passport validity against the six-month rule and any exemption for your country.
- Confirm the passport number on your application matches the passport you will bring.
- Bring old passports with previous U.S. visas.
- Check that the passport has blank pages.
- Bring legal proof of any name change.
Common questions
Can I attend the interview with an expired passport and get a visa later?
Generally the consulate needs a valid passport to issue the visa. Renew first, or contact the consulate for its specific rules.
Do I need a new visa when I get a new passport?
Not if the old visa is still valid. Carry both passports when you travel.
My passport expires in four months. Will that be a problem?
It depends on your country and visa type. Check the six-month rule and any exemption for your nationality, and renew early if in doubt.
Does the passport need blank pages?
Yes. You need space for the visa and entry stamps, so check your passport has enough blank visa pages.