Traveling to the USA with a Visa in Your Old Passport: What You Need to Know

Traveling to the United States with a visa in an old passport can be a common scenario, especially when personal details change, such as adding a spouse's name to a passport. This article guides you through the process of renewing a passport, and the implications of carrying both the new and old passports to the United States.

Adding a Spouse's Name to Your Passport

Adding your spouse's name to your passport is a straightforward process. Here’s how it works:

Apply for a renewed passport. State the reason for renewal as the change of personal details. Your old passport will be cancelled and handed back to you. A brand new passport, with your spouse’s name added, will be issued.

It's important to note that if you wish to travel to the country that issued the visa using your cancelled passport, you must carry it with the new passport. This is a standard practice, and you’ll often see travelers carrying multiple passports together.

Traveling with Both Passports at Port of Entry

At the port of entry, immigration officers will use your old passport to validate the visa before granting you entry into the United States:

Carry both your old and new passports when traveling. At the port of entry, the old passport is checked for the validity of the visa. Advise the immigration officer verbally if they ask about the name change.

This procedure ensures that you can enter the country seamlessly, as long as the visa in the old passport is still valid.

Important Considerations

It’s crucial to avoid canceling a passport that has a valid visa until the present passport is no longer valid. Here are key points to remember:

If you haven’t scheduled an appointment with the Passport Seva Kendra for renewal, do not cancel the passport with your visa. Ensure that the visa is transferred to the new passport before traveling to the USA. For additional personal information, like adding a spouse's name, take an online appointment and follow the instructions provided by the RPO/PSK website.

Document Requirements and Proof of Marriage

When renewing your passport, you’ll need specific documents. Here’s what you need:

Online Appointment: Schedule an appointment to change the particulars of your passport. New Passport: A new passport with a new number will be issued after punching the old one, with a stamp indicating the visa's validity. Marriage Certificate: This certificate is essential for proving the relationship, even if it’s not explicitly recorded in the passport.

Keep in mind that additional information regarding your spouse in the passport might cause trouble in certain situations, such as a troubled marriage. Always be prepared to provide proof of your relationship through a marriage certificate, and avoid adding such information until it's absolutely necessary to renew your passport.