US Visa requirement with a twist

[mairisona]

Sorry I know its been done already , have searched but can not find what I'm looking for.

I have a B1/B2 10 year multiple entry visa still valid for another 7 years, problem is that I need to renew my passport before sailing into the US. Can anyone tell me if I can just take along my old passport and show that visa. Could it really be this simple! Or do I need to apply for a new visa?

 

[Salty John]

The visa is valid until it, not the passport, expires. Your visa is valid for use when presented in an expired passport but alongside a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay in the US. I had two passports stapled together for several years! You can check this information with one of the US immigrant lawyers websites - I seem to remember one called Bobby Chung was good, there are many others.
Bon voyage!

 

[chriswesterman]

JS48 is spot on;

see http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/faqs/faq_visa_niv.html#niv110 - in the VISA FAQ

Question;
My passport containing a valid visa has expired. I've obtained a new passport; do I need a new visa?

Answer;

If the passport in which your visa has been endorsed has expired, the visa in the old passport still can be used, provided that you also carry a valid passport of the same nationality. Note: If, when canceling your old passport, the passport authority has clipped the corners of the passport, and, in so doing, has damaged the visa in any way, that visa is no longer valid and cannot be used for travel to the United States.

Hope this help

 

[jeremyshaw]

Couple of futher points:

1. Not sure that stapling the passports together is always a good idea. We keep our old visa-d passports as your previous respondents advise. But on the odd occasion when immigration officers in other countries have seen them (by accident) it's caused some confusion.

2. Do bear in mind that if you are sailing to the US (including Puerto Rico etc.) the ludicrous new rules require you to email or fax advising your arrival 24 hours ahead, or you are in deep doodoo as apparently happened to Tiger Woods. It's called the 'special relationship'. Of course we let the Yanks in here without any such hassles...

 

[cliff]

I have had new passports issued on numerous occasions to replace iether expired passports or full passports and in both circumstances the new one bore the remark endorsement on the observations page "the holder previously travelled on passport number XXXXXXX attached hereto which bears a valid visa" The two or even three passposts were bound and sealed together. The only difference was when the UK adopted the EU style passport - the embassies would not attach the old "blue book" to the new style passport but the new one carried a similar observation but omitting the "attached hereto" bit.

Take your passport along to the passport office when renewing it and talk to someone there.
--------------------

"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"

 

[Gordonmc]

I am going back a bit, certainly before the new restrictions, but I had to have a multiple entry visa for the US for military transit. When the (blue-cover) passport expired I took out the page and carried it in the new passport. It was OK for entry from Canada.
After years carrying the thing about with no problem an Indian immigration officer decided it was iffy, tore the US visa page out and threw it away before I realised what was going on.
He had a gun, so I didn't argue.

 

[Ships_Cat]

Been away so have just read this.

I have for decades had 10yr B1/B2 Visa's for USA even though I am a citizen of a visa waiver country. About 18 months ago on first entering the USA with a newly issued passport but a current B1/B2 visa in my old passport I was advised by the officer on the primary line at the border that it was ok to enter on the visa in the old passport but that he was required to cancel the B1/B2 visa so that it could not be used again (that was entering by commercial airline, not by private boat).

He actually double checked that he had to do that. Others mileage may differ, but that was my experience as a NZ citizen which is generally regarded as a low risk country by other immigration jurisdictions.

John

 

[Sea Devil]

I have not sailed into the USA since the recent 'attacks' and the subsequent changes in visa requirements but.... even 4 years ago my, B1/B2 10 year multiple entry visa, still valid and used regularly for entry by plane was not valid for entry by yacht.

Cannot remember what the Yacht visa which I got in Port of Spain US Consulate was named but it was endorsed R-B1/B2 - entries M... the R being the important bit. I understand that has now changed and the regs are more stringent...
Michael

 

[Heckler]

i had the same for years, used to carry the old passport with it in, it was indefinite multiple entry, about 5 years ago entering with family and the officer said he was going to cancel it, wasnt necessary any more, and that they were cancelling all, would have to use the waiver visa from now on. was right peed off, was very proud of that visa!!
stu

 

[Ships_Cat]

My understanding of the current requirement is that on a private yacht non working crew members can enter on a B2 visa. If the crew is paid and as long as the boat is non USA registered (ie the crew are not paid by a USA employer) then the crew can enter on a B2 visa. I have just double checked that and it seems that is correct information, but as always pays to get an opinion from embassy before departure.

It may be (and I am unsure of this) that your old visa (with the R) was one of the old indefinite term multiple entry ones. These were all decreed to have only a 10 yr validity in around 1994'ish and so have all now expired even though identified as "Indefinite" and are not sufficient for travel. I have been told that if one presents one on arrival (obviously will be in an old passport as none have been issued for more than 10 years) off a commercial carrier one will be given visa waiver clearance and the visa cancelled. Might be interesting if one turned up on a yacht with one so not able to enter under visa waiver.

"R" visas are generally those for religious workers - I assume that did not apply to you /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

John