If my passport expires before my visa, do I lose my H-1B?

No. Your H-1B status does not disappear just because your passport has expired. The visa is physically stamped in the passport, but your work authorization does not expire with the document: they are two separate things.

The practical issue comes up when traveling. To enter the United States, you need a valid travel document, so if your passport has expired or is about to expire, the right step is to renew it. The visa in the old passport does not lose its validity because of that.

Once you receive the new passport, there are generally two options: travel carrying both passports together, the old one with the H-1B visa and the new valid one, or, following your consulate’s guidance, arrange to transfer the visa to the new document.

• The H-1B is not lost due to passport expiration.
• To travel, a valid passport is required; renew it in time.
• Carry the old passport with the visa along with the new one, if still valid.

Since procedures vary depending on the consulate and your specific situation, it is worth checking official guidance before traveling and, when in doubt, seeking support from a qualified professional.

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.