Non-Resident permit · VA → WY
Is a Virginia Non-Resident Permit Valid in Wyoming?
Both doors are open: Wyoming accepts your Virginia non-resident permit, and its permitless law covers eligible visitors regardless of permits.
Why
- Wyoming's official reciprocity list includes Virginia.
- Wyoming allows permitless carry, which extends to visitors who may legally possess a handgun.
Statutory test, not a closed list: Wyoming honors an out-of-state permit if (1) the issuing state recognizes Wyoming permits and (2) the permit is valid statewide in the issuing state — holder residency in the issuing state is not required, so qualifying non-resident permits count. DCI publishes the 35-state list above 'for convenience only... this listing has no legal effect.' Largely academic for most visitors: permitless carry already covers any US resident who may lawfully possess a firearm.
The permit (Virginia)
- Permit
- Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP)
- Issued by
- Clerk of the circuit court of the applicant's county or city (resident permits); Virginia State Police (nonresident permits)
- Issue policy
- Shall-issue
- Issued to non-residents?
- Yes — Nonresidents 21+ may apply in writing to the Virginia State Police for a five-year nonresident CHP (fingerprint card and demonstrated handgun competence required).
The destination (Wyoming)
- Recognition policy
- Honors a named list of 35 states
- Permitless carry
- Yes
- Duty to inform
- No (present permit on demand)
- Magazine limit
- No state limit
Carry rules in Wyoming
Your Virginia habits may not match Wyoming's law. Check these three areas before you carry there.
- No proactive duty to inform. Permit holders must carry the permit with valid ID whenever carrying concealed and display both upon request of any peace officer (W.S. 6-8-104(b)).
- Wyoming sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
- Wyoming allows permitless concealed carry for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
- Permitless carry extends to vehicles — any US resident who may lawfully possess a firearm may carry a loaded handgun concealed in a vehicle without a permit.
Off-limits places in Wyoming
- Law enforcement facilities, without the chief administrator's written consent (W.S. 6-8-104(t))
- Detention facilities, prisons and jails
- Courtrooms (unless authorized by the judge)
- Portions of establishments primarily devoted to dispensing alcohol for on-premises consumption
- K-12 school and public college/university facilities — opened in 2025 ONLY to holders of Wyoming-issued CFPs (W.S. 6-8-105(c), HB0172); out-of-state permit holders and permitless carriers remain prohibited
- Places where firearms are prohibited by federal law
Frequently asked questions
- Is a Virginia non-resident permit valid in Wyoming?
- Both doors are open: Wyoming accepts your Virginia non-resident permit, and its permitless law covers eligible visitors regardless of permits.
- Do I have to tell police in Wyoming that I am carrying?
- No proactive duty to inform. Permit holders must carry the permit with valid ID whenever carrying concealed and display both upon request of any peace officer (W.S. 6-8-104(b)).
- Does Wyoming limit magazine capacity?
- Wyoming sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
- Can I carry in Wyoming without any permit?
- Wyoming allows permitless concealed carry for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
- Where does Wyoming publish its official reciprocity list?
- Wyoming publishes its recognition policy on an official state page, linked in the sources on this page. That page is the authority — check it shortly before travel, because recognition lists change without much notice.
Official sources
- Wyoming DCI — Concealed Firearm Permits FAQ (permitless carry, reciprocity list, prohibited places) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Wyoming DCI — Concealed Firearm Permits (program page) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Wyoming Legislature — 2026 HB0096, Carrying of concealed weapons-age requirement (21 -> 18, effective July 1, 2026) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Wyoming Legislature — 2025 HB0172 Enrolled Act No. 24, Wyoming Repeal Gun Free Zones Act (effective July 1, 2025) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Virginia State Police — Reciprocity and Recognition — accessed 2026-08-08
- Virginia State Police — Firearms/Concealed Weapons FAQ — accessed 2026-08-08
- Virginia State Police — Nonresident Concealed Handgun Permits — accessed 2026-08-08
- Virginia State Police — Resident Concealed Handgun Permits — accessed 2026-08-08