Us Visa Corner Cut Off

[TexasRanger]

Hi, I know this isn't Thai related but I thought someone might be able to help.

One of my passports has got full and I have had it replaced but they cut the corner off and have also cut the corner off my B1 US Visa, will this still be valid or will I have to get a new visa now?

Many thanks

[gotlost]

Visas are none transferable only stamps are. You should of received a letter from the US Embassy requesting Thai Immigration to transfer your stamps from the old to your new. The cutting of corners is a standard method of de validated an old passport this does not effect your permission to stay. Go to Immigration to have your new passport validated.

[VisasPlus]

Visas are none transferable only stamps are. You should of received a letter from the US Embassy requesting Thai Immigration to transfer your stamps from the old to your new. The cutting of corners is a standard method of de validated an old passport this does not effect your permission to stay. Go to Immigration to have your new passport validated.

Normally, passport issuing offices should be aware that, although they can cancel their own passports, they should not invalidate visas by mutilating them. However, many passport offices don't really care, and this is what has happened to you.

My advice would be to ask the US Embassy to provide a letter to confirn that the visa is still valid. The reason I say this is because, when you attempt to travel, the carrier ( airline ) may well question if the visa is valid for travel ( in fact, the same question that you have asked ). The airline may prevent you from travelling if they are not 100% happy, so having such a letter from the Embassy in adavance may smooth your journey.

[NanLaew]

The visa has been indeed invalidated by the wanke_rs cutting the corner although through experience, the onus is on the passport holder to draw attention to the unexpired visa when surrendering the passport for renewal.

I do wish you luck in getting some support document from the US Embassy saying it's still valid but chances are the blackshirted chap at US Immigration won't give a toss. Worse still, you may even be denied boarding by some overzealous airline check-in staff.

Unless you are from a country that qualifies for the visa-waiver, I reckon you are stuffed and need to get in line and jump through the hoops for a new one.

BUT... and this is a BIG but. DO get a new visa before embarking on a visa-waiver entry as using the visa-waiver entry while still in possession of a US visa is BREAKING US IMMIGRATION LAW. The fact that the corner has been cut off and the visa technically invalidated is NOT reflected in your Immigration record on US Immigration computers. You will get a 'secondary inspection' on arrival if you try a visa-waiver entry and their computer shows you have a valid visa. Make sure you bring BOTH passports when you try to enter the US. Once you show the Immigration that the visa has been invalidated, you should have less hassle.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Visas are none transferable only stamps are. You should of received a letter from the US Embassy requesting Thai Immigration to transfer your stamps from the old to your new. The cutting of corners is a standard method of de validated an old passport this does not effect your permission to stay. Go to Immigration to have your new passport validated.

Normally, passport issuing offices should be aware that, although they can cancel their own passports, they should not invalidate visas by mutilating them. However, many passport offices don't really care, and this is what has happened to you.

My advice would be to ask the US Embassy to provide a letter to confirn that the visa is still valid. The reason I say this is because, when you attempt to travel, the carrier ( airline ) may well question if the visa is valid for travel ( in fact, the same question that you have asked ). The airline may prevent you from travelling if they are not 100% happy, so having such a letter from the Embassy in adavance may smooth your journey.

Here's the Consular Section's email address, and snail mail::

Consular Section,

Embassy Bangkok

95 Wireless Road,

Bangkok 10330, Thailand

E-mail:

[email protected]

You can send them an email but wouldn't depend on getting a quick answer. Recommend a letter with photos of your passport, the chopped U.S. visa, and your new passport. Include your email address so they can send you one if need be.

Mac