Hey everyone! I have a huge tournament coming up in North America this summer. I just received my new Turkish passport because the old one was expiring. Here is the situation: my US B1/B2 visa and my Canadian visitor visa are still valid for three more years, but they are attached to the old, hole-punched passport.
I really do not want to go through the embassy process again—it takes too long and I need to focus on my training. Can I just travel with both passports? Specifically for the US and Canada? I’ve heard mixed things and I need a definitive answer. I don’t want to get caught offside at immigration!
Realizing this is not about applying for a new visa but rather utilizing the existing documentation, I can offer some clarification based on the current architectural framework of US regulations.
Hi, I’m Meliza — I work as an outbound visa agent.
Short answer: yes, you can travel with both passports, and this is very common — for both the US and Canada.
As long as:
Your visas are still valid
They’re in your old passport (even if it’s hole-punched/cancelled)
You also carry your new valid passport
You’re fine. Airlines, US CBP, and Canadian border officers are used to this setup. You just present both passports together: the old one with the visa, and the new one for identity and travel validity.
A few practical tips to avoid any “offside” moments:
Make sure your name, date of birth, and nationality match exactly across both passports
Book flights using the new passport details
Keep the old passport in your carry-on, not checked luggage
If asked, just say your visa is valid and issued in your previous passport
You do not need to reapply for the US B1/B2 or Canadian visitor visa just because you renewed your passport. Reissuance is only required if the visa itself expires or is damaged.
This is a standard, accepted scenario — many athletes and frequent travelers do this without issues.