Can I Apply For A Visa With An Expired Passport
Yes, you can apply for a visa with an expired passport, if your destination country allows it. The visa process however may differ from the standard renewal application process, depending on the consulate you will be applying at.
As anyone who has traveled to a foreign country knows all too well, you generally need a passport to enter. And if your passport is approaching its expiration date, then that may present an issue when you are traveling or applying for visas abroad.
Can I Apply For A Visa With An Expired Passport
Whether you’re an international traveler or a frequent business traveller, chances are that you encounter a lot of hurdles with your visa. One such hurdle is whether or not you can still apply for a passport if it has expired. If so, how can you renew the passport? Do you have to go back to your country of origin to get the renewal done? How long does it take for your expired passport to be renewed? These are just some of the many questions you could have as someone who needs a valid passport in order to travel abroad. To understand more about expiry and renewal, read on and learn how your expired passport can still be used.
e country in order to use this program. Permanent residents of VWP-eligible countries do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program unless they are also citizens of VWP-eligible countries. We recommend you visit the Visa Waiver Program website before any travel to the U.S. to determine if you are eligible for the VWP.
Q.3 What is the fee for ESTA and who has to pay it?
ESTA registration is required for all travelers to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. There is a US $14.00 fee for ESTA registration. The fee can be paid online using a debit card or any of the following credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover. Third parties (travel agents, family members, etc.) can pay your ESTA fee for you if you do not have the correct type of credit card. If the ESTA registration is denied, the fee is only US $4.00.
Q.4 If I travel to the United States without ESTA, what happens?
Visa Waiver Program travelers who have not obtained approval through ESTA should expect to be denied boarding on any air carrier bound for the United States. If you are allowed to board, you can expect to encounter significant delays and possible denial of admission at the U.S. port of entry (i.e., arrival airport). ESTA registration usually only takes a few minutes to complete, authorization often arrives in seconds, and it is valid for two years.
Q.5 If I am a third-country national living in Nigeria, can I apply for a nonimmigrant visa in Nigeria?
Applicants are generally advised to apply in their country of nationality or residence. Any person who is legally present in Nigeria may apply for a visa in Nigeria. However, applicants should decide where to apply based on more than just convenience or delay in getting an appointment in their home district. One thing to consider, for example, is in which consular district the applicant can demonstrate the strongest ties.
There is no guarantee that a visa will be issued, nor is there a guarantee of processing time. If refused, there is no refund of the application fee.
Q.6 Do all nonimmigrant visa applicants have to come to the Embassy/Consulate General for an interview?
Yes, for most applicants. There are only a few exceptions to the interview requirement. The following applicants generally do not have to appear in person:
- Applicants for A1, A2 (official travelers on central government business), C2, C3 (central government officials in transit on central government business) or G1, G2, G3, G4 (central government officials traveling in connection with an international organization, or employees of an international organization)
Q.7 I have a nonimmigrant visa that will expire soon and I would like to renew it. Do I need to go through the whole visa application process again?
Each nonimmigrant visa application is a separate process. You must apply in the normal manner, even if you had a visa before and even if your current nonimmigrant visa is still valid.
Q.8 My passport has expired, but the U.S. visa in it is still valid. Do I need to apply for a new visa?
No. If your visa is still valid you can travel to the United States with your two passports (old and new), as long as the visa is valid, not damaged, and is the appropriate type of visa required for your principal purpose of travel. (Example: tourist visa, when your principal purpose of travel is tourism). Also, the name and other personal data should be the same in both passports, (unless the name change was due to marriage). Your nationality, as indicated in the new passport, must be the same as that shown in the passport bearing the visa.
If your name changed due to marriage, you can travel to the United States with both passports as well as your marriage certificate.
Q.9 I have dual citizenship. Which passport should I use to travel to the United States?
If one of your nationalities is not U.S., you can apply using whichever nationality you prefer, but you must disclose all nationalities to the Embassy/Consulate General on your application form. U.S. citizens, even dual citizens/nationals, must enter and depart the United States using a U.S. passport.
Q.10 How can I extend my visa?
The validity of a visa cannot be extended regardless of its type. You will need to apply for a new visa.
Q.11 Must I submit my visa application form electronically?
Yes, you must complete the DS-160 and bring a printed copy of the the DS-160 confirmation page with you when you go for your interview at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate General.
Q.12 What is “administrative processing?”
Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after your interview with a consular officer. You are advised of this possibility when they apply. This web page on the Consular Affairs website has more information about administrative processing.