My H-1B is expiring and so is my passport; what should I do?

These are two separate issues, and each one is resolved differently. Your passport is the travel document issued by your home country; your H-1B is what authorizes you to work and remain lawfully in the United States. One does not replace the other.

If your passport has expired, renewal is handled through your country’s consulate or embassy, following the consular service’s guidelines. This is independent of your employment: even with a valid H-1B, you need a current passport to travel and identify yourself.

If your H-1B status is close to expiring, the path goes through your employer, who is the one that files the extension petition. Key steps:

• Confirm with your employer whether the extension request has already been filed or approved.
• Closely monitor deadlines and progress with the relevant authorities.
• Avoid letting your status expire without an extension in progress.

Since procedures and timelines can change, the best approach is to verify the current rules from official sources (USCIS and your country’s consulate) and, when in doubt, consult a reputable specialist, being wary of anyone who promises guaranteed outcomes.

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.