How do passport renewals work with a valid L-1 visa?

A passport and a visa are two separate documents, and that distinction is the key to understanding this situation. The L-1 is a stamp affixed to a specific passport, but its validity does not depend on that passport remaining active: if the passport expires or is renewed, the L-1 visa remains valid until its own expiration date, as long as the immigration status has not changed.

The practical consequence comes up when traveling. If the still-valid L-1 is in an old passport, the standard procedure is to carry both documents:

• The new, valid passport, used for identification and entry.
• The previous passport, which contains the L-1 visa still within its validity period.

This way, both the airline and immigration authorities can confirm that an active visa exists, even though it is physically in an expired passport. It is a good idea to keep copies of both documents, and if there is any doubt about travel requirements, consult the official guidance from the Department of State and USCIS, as well as the airline itself, before departing.

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.