Is a North Carolina Non-Resident Permit Valid in Virginia?

Why

• North Carolina does not issue carry permits to non-residents (applicant must have been a north carolina resident for at least 30 days immediately preceding the application (g.s. 14-415.12(a)); no non-resident permits).

Va. Code § 18.2-308.014: the holder of a valid concealed handgun or concealed weapon permit or license issued by ANY other state may carry in Virginia provided the holder is at least 21, carries government-issued photo ID, displays the permit and ID upon demand by law enforcement, and has not previously had a Virginia permit revoked. No requirement that the permit be a resident permit of the issuing state.

Carry rules in Virginia

Recognition is only half the question. Once you're inside Virginia, its carry rules apply to you exactly as they do to locals.

• Virginia law does not require volunteering that you are armed; Va. Code § 18.2-308.01 requires having the permit in possession when carrying and displaying it with photo ID upon demand by a law-enforcement officer (VSP FAQ).
• Virginia sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Virginia is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit Virginia recognizes.
• No permit is needed to carry a handgun (loaded or unloaded) in a personal, private motor vehicle or vessel if it is secured in a container or compartment — the compartment need not be locked (Va. Code § 18.2-308(C)(8); VSP FAQ, citing OAG opinion 11-111). Permit holders may carry loaded and concealed on their person.

Off-limits places in Virginia

Virginia bans carry in 5 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• Public, private or religious K-12 school property (Va. Code § 18.2-308.1; permit holders may keep the handgun in a vehicle in the school parking lot)
• Courthouses (Va. Code § 18.2-283.1)

See all 5 places you can't carry in Virginia →

North Carolina vs Virginia: what changes at the state line

Crossing from North Carolina into Virginia changes one rule: duty to inform police (Yes → No).

Going the other way, a Virginia non-resident permit in North Carolina: recognized — carry with your permit.

Permits that do work in Virginia

These non-resident permits are honored in Virginia, ranked by how many states honor each one. They are issued to people who live outside the issuing state, subject to its eligibility rules.

• North Dakota non-resident permit · honored in 33 states
• Ohio non-resident permit · honored in 33 states
• Idaho non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• Texas non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• Florida non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• South Carolina non-resident permit · honored in 32 states

Driving on from Virginia

How a North Carolina non-resident permit fares in the states bordering Virginia:

• Kentucky — No such permit issued
• Maryland — No such permit issued
• Tennessee — No such permit issued
• West Virginia — No such permit issued
• District of Columbia — No such permit issued

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Virginia honor a North Carolina resident permit?

Recognized — carry with your permit. That differs from the non-resident permit on this page, because Virginia treats the two permit types differently.

Can a Virginia non-resident permit holder carry in North Carolina?

Recognized — carry with your permit. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on North Carolina's law, not Virginia's.

Does North Carolina issue non-resident carry permits?

No. North Carolina issues carry permits to residents only (applicant must have been a North Carolina resident for at least 30 days immediately preceding the application (G.S. 14-415.12(a)); no non-resident permits). Non-residents who want multi-state coverage usually obtain a non-resident permit from a state that offers one, such as those listed in our non-resident permit guide.