British Expatriate Network

Hi!

I am in the states on an H-1B visa and I recently got married to an american citizen and we are living in the states. I want to go home for christmas. My passport was about to expire so I have sent off to get a new one in my married name but my visa in my passport is still in my maiden name. It looks like the passport folks can link my new passport to my visa in my old one since the visa is still valid, is this true?

Do you think it would be a problem that my passport is in my married name but my visa (which I will use to come back into the country since we only just submitted my paperwork for my spousal visa) is still in my maiden name, even if I carry a copy of our marriage certificate? Is there a way I can get a new visa in my new passport with my new name or is that a big problem?

Any help would be greatly appreciated smile

Okay, when we got married I had a H1-B and I went to the UK on my old passport and then got one in my new name whilst I was there. I then just showed them my old passport with the visa in it and then my new passport. The old visa is still valid even though the passport is not.

Are you going to do AOS? If so you will have the Advanced Parole document which will back up your new passport...

Basically, just carry everything with you, all the time and hope for the best.. wink lol

Stel.

Thanks for the info. AOS? I have sent away the paper work for my spousal visa but since I have an H-1B visa it says I don't require advanced parole since I can still travel on the H-1B.

AOS - Adjustment of Status.

Of course, your H1B is good for travel as long as you are still working for the company and the visa is valid. I forget (even though it wasn't long ago) that I added extra hassles by leaving my job 5 months after we got married, making my H1B invalid so I had to mess about with Work Permits and Advanced Parole and stuff.

Best of luck with it all!
Stel.