New international passport: is it possible to transfer a valid visa from the old one and how to do it. What to do if the current Schengen visa remains in the old international passport
Today, citizens of the CIS countries often face such a problem: the old foreign passport has become invalid, but it still has valid visas, which were worth a lot of effort and expense. The question is how to transfer a visa to new international passport, it becomes especially relevant when it comes to long-term multivisa. In most cases it is possible to solve this problem, but, unfortunately, not always. Much will depend on the visa regulations of a particular state.
An international passport that has become invalid may sometimes be left with the owner (and a number is cut out of it with scissors and stamped “Canceled” on each page, and stamped on the last page with the number of the newly issued document). One of these cases is the presence of valid visas.
Situations where a valid visa remains in a canceled passport happen quite often, but each case must be considered specifically.
There are many reasons for cancellation of passports, among them:
- expiration of their validity;
- lack of free pages;
- mechanical damage or contamination, etc.
Previously, the only solution to the problem was the cancellation of the entry permit and the procedure for issuing a new one, but now the situation has changed. In the case when the visa stamp is relevant, and the passport has expired, if you wish, you can try to transfer the visa to a new one, but most often the use of both documents is practiced - newly received and lost action.
How to travel with two passports
Travel with two passports - with a canceled, but with a valid visa, and with a new, with blank pages - is quite common in world practice. In the EU in 2011, the guideline on the procedure for processing visa applications (II, 4.1.1) specifically spelled out a provision on the right of entry into the Schengen zone with two passports.
Here, the only legal reason for issuing a new document is to completely fill out the old one. Therefore, if the visa is valid, and the passport ends, you must apply in advance for a new application to the appropriate authorities. A change of last name as a result of marriage entails the cancellation of an entry permit. In the United States and Canada, the rules are different - for example, a different transliteration of the last name is allowed, but citizenship should not be changed. 
There is no single view on the problem of entering the country with two passports in the world. There are three positions:
- allow completely;
- allow with reservations;
- to ban.
The first group should include most of the Schengen countries. If three conditions are met: a valid visa in the old passport, it is completely filled and canceled, and there is a new document - entry into the Schengen zone will be unhindered.
Germany even allows entry with one valid passport without free pages, but with a valid permit. The first group includes such countries as the USA, Japan, Canada, Great Britain, and South Africa.
The second group includes:
- Bulgaria (permits crossing the border on two Schengen passports, but an open national visa is canceled);
- Ireland (does not allow two passports);
- Latvia (allows a similar entry in the most extreme cases);
- Slovakia (requires the provision of a non-annulled passport with a visa and the presence of a special additional form for stamping).
The third group includes China, India and some other countries. They are of the view that the cancellation of the document automatically cancels the entry permit. Its transfer to another document is not provided. Such permission for crossing the border should be re-applied.
How to transfer a valid visa
Moving a visa from an old passport to a new one is not a requirement in most states that allow entry with two foreign identity cards, and often it is simply not possible.
In Germany, such a transfer is not recognized - it is necessary to re-apply to the consulate and issue a permit. France, in the absence of clean pages in the passport, meets those who wish to transfer the visa free of charge to the new document, but on condition that it is the French visa that is pasted in the old passport and there is new passport. Of all the Schengen countries, only Ireland and Latvia require the transfer of an entry permit from an old document to a new one. 
The validity of visa permits for such a transfer should be maintained, but if this is impossible for technical reasons, they are reduced.
The applicant must complete an additional application form, provide two photographs and old international passport with a valid visa.
In the US, such a transfer from an old document to a new one is not practiced. In Japan, on the contrary, you can, at your own request, submit an application for transferring a valid multi-visa from a canceled to a new international passport. Along with the application, you must provide the old and new documents, their photocopies. In the UK, foreigners also meet in this matter.
In order to get an exhaustive answer, whether the transfer of an entry permit to a new international passport is possible or not necessary, you should contact directly the consulate or embassy you are interested in.
Answering the question whether you need an old international passport when you apply for a visa, it should be emphasized that, firstly, you cannot transfer a valid entry permit to a new foreign document without it and, secondly, you can confirm the visa history with an old international passport will help in opening new permissions in a simplified manner.
We make a Schengen visa. How to make a Schengen. How to make a visa to Europe: Video
It happens that a person who often travels to foreign countries turns out to have two foreign certificates available. This can happen, for example, if it draws up a new document due to the fact that since the moment of registration of the old has gone for quite a long time. But what to do if the first document is “finished”, but there is a mark left in it that allows you to travel abroad? In this case, you need to decide the question of how to transfer the visa to a new passport.
Visa in invalid document
So, how to act if you have a valid visa in the canceled passport and you do not have the opportunity to postpone the trip? As a rule, the probability of such a case is minimal.
When applying for a visa, immigration officers look to ensure that the passport meets the requirements:
- Paper submitted no later than five years ago (biometric - ten).
- The validity period is not less than three months after the end of the journey.
- There are still two pages left.
But still it happens that such incidents occur. And sometimes it happens that the remaining pages run out quickly. In this case, it is necessary to ask for help from the document that was accepted by the European Union back in 2011. This paper prescribes that if there is not enough space for stamps, a person has the right to visit another state on two passports.
Departure on two passports
When the previous one has a valid visa, and the new one has only a blank page, then you should be released. It is only necessary to explain everything to customs officers, referring to the standards of the above-mentioned document.
In most cases, no problems. But there are countries where individual rules have entry, so they should be considered in more detail.
Latvia
The customs papers of this country say that visiting the state with two certificates is possible only as an exception.
But if such a situation suddenly arises, then they will not be sent home at the border, but they will help you transfer your visa to a new document as soon as possible without charging you for it.
Slovakia
You can enter this country if your previous passport has not yet been canceled. In such a situation, all the necessary stamps are put in a special form, which must always be with you always before the end of the journey.
Ireland
They will not let it out just like that: if the visa is valid and the passport ends, then you need to transfer the stamp to a valid ID. Fees will not be taken from you.
Bulgaria
If you travel to Bulgaria on a Schengen visa, then there will be no problems. But if you cross the border with a national, that is, a Bulgarian visa, then you will not be able to leave - you need to issue a new visa.
Great Britain
British customs officers will pass only if the personal data in both passports are identical. However, if you change the name or surname, then travel on a visa you will not work. This applies to many European countries, but in England this is followed closely.
Visa transfer
If you need to transfer a visa from an old passport to a new document, then this needs to be done without much difficulty and as quickly as possible.
For a start, it is worthwhile to turn to special agents, but really carry out the transfer yourself. This is due to the fact that the issue is resolved quite simply, and the agents are trying to make the problem global so that you pay them for their help.
You need to go to the visa center or the embassy of the country where you intend to go. You need to come in reception hours, go to the employee and tell about the situation. As a rule, to solve this issue, you need to spend no more than two hours. But you need to have all the required documents with you.
"Electronic journal" ABC of Law ", 10/16/2017
WHAT TO DO IF EXISTING SCHENGEN VISA
REMAINED IN OLD ZAGRANSPASPORT?
When applying for a visa is submitted valid passport, issued less than ten years ago, containing at least two blank pages and which, as a general rule, expires no earlier than three months after the expected date of departure from the territory of the EU member states (Article 12 of the EU Visa Code).
However, in practice, a situation may arise when you have a valid Schengen visa in your inactive passport. In order to avoid going through the procedure for obtaining a new visa, two options are possible.
1 . Moving a visa to a new passport
In this case, a visa with a validity period before the expiry date of the existing visa in the old passport will be pasted into the new passport.
Transfer Schengen visa from old international passport In the new is not always possible. The question of the transfer of a visa is considered in each case separately by the consulate or diplomatic mission of the country that issued the visa.
To clarify the question of the possibility or impossibility of transferring a visa to a new passport, contact the consulate (diplomatic mission or visa center) of the country that issued the visa. In some countries, such as Germany, there is no practice of transferring a visa to a new passport. It is necessary to again request a visa with a full application of the package of documents and payment of the consular and service charges.
If visa transfer is possible, the consular officer ( visa center) advise you what documents you must submit and issue a special application form.
2 . Entry into the EU with two passports (inactive and new)
Some Schengen countries allow entry and travel around the country valid visa in the old passport, not transferring it to a new one. In this case, both international passports should be on hand: old and new. In order for you to safely cross the border, having two passports in your hands, you must contact the plenipotentiary representative office (consulate, diplomatic mission) of the country in advance and clarify this issue.
