Passport & Visa Responsibilities Breakdown

An F-1 student renews or updates their passport through their own country’s embassy or consulate in the U.S., not the U.S. Department of State.

Passport & Visa Responsibilities Breakdown

Passport
• Issued and renewed only by your home country
• Renewal is handled through your country’s embassy or consulate in the United States

U.S. Department of State

• Responsible for issuing U.S. visas (such as the F-1 visa stamp)

• Does not issue, renew, or update foreign passports

After Renewing Your Passport (Important for F-1 Students)

• Notify your Designated School Official (DSO) so your SEVIS record can be updated with your new passport information

• Keep both your old and new passports, especially if your valid F-1 visa is in your old passport

Key point:

You can stay in the U.S. on an expired F-1 visa as long as your passport, I-20, and status are valid but your passport must always be valid.

Important Information:

If you update your name on your passport while you are in the United States, you cannot update the name on your active F-1 visa.

F-1 visa name changes and visa stamp renewals can only be completed while you are in your home country.

Therefore, if you change your name on your passport while in the U.S., you must carry all of the following documents when traveling or verifying your status:

Your updated passport

• Your updated Form I-20

• Your old passport showing the name that matches your current visa

• Your F-1 visa