If my passport expires during the process, will it cause problems?

It can, in fact, create complications. In the EB-2 NIW process, your passport is the document that establishes your identity and nationality before the United States government, and several forms and pieces of evidence presuppose that it is valid.

If the passport expires while the case is in progress, the agency reviewing the petition may request an updated version. On its own, this does not usually derail the process, but it can generate additional steps, supplemental document submissions, and, as a result, some delay.

The best practice is straightforward: monitor your passport’s validity throughout the entire process and, if you notice it is about to expire, begin the renewal with the competent authorities in your country well in advance. Keeping your documents current avoids complications and keeps the process moving predictably.

Because rules can change and each case has its own particularities, when in doubt it is worth checking the latest guidance from the official source (USCIS) or consulting a specialist to avoid jeopardizing any stage of the process.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.