Can I travel to US with a new passport and US visa on a old damaged(binding separated) Indian Passport [duplicate]
![Can I travel to US with a new passport and US visa on a old damaged(binding separated) Indian Passport [duplicate] - From below of aged retro golden clock placed atop information booth of historic Grand Central Terminal with arched windows](/assets/images/can_i_travel_to_us_with_a_new_passport_and_us_visa_on_a_old_damagedbinding_separated_indian_passport_duplicate_0.jpeg "Can I travel to US with a new passport and US visa on a old damaged(binding separated) Indian Passport [duplicate] - From below of aged retro golden clock placed atop information booth of historic Grand Central Terminal with arched windows")
I know there have been similar questions as listed below.
- Is B1 visa in perfect condition valid on old damaged passport?
- Traveling with a new passport and valid US Visa on a damaged old passport?
- Traveling to the US with new passport, visa on the old one
My question is for a specific type of damage which I believe requires a separate consideration.
My old passport binding and booklet is separated. Though it is separated, I have both with me. Apart from this there are no other issues. The passport first 2 pages, last 2 pages and US visa is absolutely readable without any issues.
I have applied for a fresh passport as I'm not allowed to travel in damaged passport.
Question
Is it okay to travel to US from India by carrying the new passport and old passport(which has US visa) with binding off?
I'm in a dilemma because I read the following FAQ Question and Answer in US Embassy website.
Question: My passport has expired or been damaged. However, I still have a valid U.S. visa in the passport. May I use the visa?
Answer: If the photo page on your passport has been damaged (e.g. has become detached, or looks like it may become detached, from the rest of the passport), please apply for a new visa in a new passport, submitting both the damaged and new passport in support of your application.
In my case, photo page is not torn/separated from the rest of the passport pages but separated from the outer binding.
It would be really helpful if someone with a similar situation travelled successfully without any issues reply.
Best Answer
In my experience one should avoid applying for a new US visa as much as possible if one has an existing visa (In September 1999 I applied for a new USA visa about a week before my existing visa expired, and I was denied. Consular officers can be very unpredictable and anything can happen in an interview. What if you get denied? At the visa interview they tend to evaluate you all over again, they will not just slap a new visa in your passport because you have a viable one in your damaged passport.
After reviewing your case, I still believe you are fine. What I would do in your case is attach the two parts together using something very subtle like invisible super glue. Don't forget the immigration officers at the airport are human beings.
There are three things which can happen if you follow my suggestion:
- They do not even notice the damage in the old passport, and simply let you through -GOOD
- They notice the previously damaged passport, but do not bother and let you through - GOOD
- They notice the previously damaged passport and make a fuss about it - BAD
Of the three things which could happen, two are good and even the third which is bad is unlikely to lead to you being refused entry. It will take a very mean immigration officer to return you to India for something as minor as a genuine visa in a damaged passport.
Dress professionally, be polite and project an air of respectful confidence and you should be okay.
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![Can I travel to US with a new passport and US visa on a old damaged(binding separated) Indian Passport [duplicate] - Public railway station with clock in center](/assets/images/can_i_travel_to_us_with_a_new_passport_and_us_visa_on_a_old_damagedbinding_separated_indian_passport_duplicate_1.jpeg "Can I travel to US with a new passport and US visa on a old damaged(binding separated) Indian Passport [duplicate] - Public railway station with clock in center")
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Is US visa valid on damaged passport?
If your passport is damaged to the extent that it is no longer valid for travel then you have to apply for a new visa in a new passport, and will need to submit both the damaged and new passport when you apply.Can I travel with a damaged US passport?
How to Replace a Damaged Passport. Significantly damaged passports are automatically invalidated and can no longer be used for international travel.What happens to visa when passport is reissued?
In case of passport reissue, the new passport will be released while the old passport will be cancelled and returned. However, any of the active visas on the old passport will still be valid and can be used till expiry of the particular visa.Can you travel with a damaged visa?
Exposure to the elements, such as water or heat, can damage your visa. if your visa is damaged, faded or otherwise unreadable in any way, you may consider replacing it. Airlines may deny boarding to travelers with damaged visas, depending on the extent of damage.Apply // Renew // Update Passport- What To Do When Visa Is On Old Passport // Get New Passport
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