Do I need to send my passport to USCIS?

In most cases, no. For the majority of O-1 petitions, USCIS does not require the physical passport to be submitted with the petition. What is typically requested are legible copies of the identification pages, such as the photo page and personal data page.

These copies are used to confirm your identity and the validity of the document. Even so, the safest approach is always to read the specific instructions for your petition, as there may be variations depending on the case or updates to USCIS guidance.

If you are unsure which document to submit and in what format, avoid guessing: confirm directly in the official USCIS instructions or with a trusted immigration professional. This helps you avoid submission errors and delays in your case.

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.