Do I need to replace water-damaged passport that has my valid visa?

I'm an Indian, soon travelling to the US for study on an F-1 visa. Recently, my passport got damaged in the rain and there is ink spread on the inside of the cover. The inside isn't damaged.

I went to my visa interview with this passport because it was just 2 day after the incident. They approved my visa and it was stamped in my passport.

However, friends have said that this could still be an issue during immigration checks. I leave in 35 days. What should I do?

Best Answer

It is recommended that you replace a passport which is water damaged, as yours has, even though it contains a new and valid visa. Once that is accomplished, and the cancelled document is cancelled and returned to you, you can travel using both your new and the old passport which contains your valid visa. For your own reassurances, it might be wise to consult with your local US Consular officials, to determine whether the F-1 visa should be re-issued as a precaution.