Passport Expires in June, Applied to VISA in May.

purifier · Apr 1st, 2007, 20:43

Hi everyone.

I am an Indian student accepted to US universities for my MS this fall.
My problem is that my passport expires this June. There are two procedures listed on the Indian Passport Website, one is Reissue and another is renewal. I'm not sure which one I should apply for. I applied for my passport when I was a minor. And so I was given a 5 year validity which is about to expire now. On the website, the following is written:

Quote:

Application Form No. 1

Form No. 1 is to be used for New/ Reissue/Replacement of Lost/Damaged passports. The same application form is used for passports for minors as well.

New passport means applying for a passport for the first time or applying for a passport if you have never held any passport earlier. In case an application was ever made at any Passport Office prior to the present application and whether the application was processed or closed, or even if passport was issued and not received by the applicant, details thereof should be given in the relevant column in the present application. Failure to disclose these details, if any, would invite applicable penalty.

Reissue means an application for another passport in lieu of an existing one which has either expired or is about to expire. An applicant may apply for a new passport in lieu of an expired/ about to expire passport upto 3 years after and 1 year before the expiry of the Passport. Re-issue of passport should not be mistaken for renewal of passport. Renewal of passport means that a passport which was originally issued for a short validity of one to five years - under certain emergency conditions on the part of the applicant - is now required to be extended to its full validity of ten years from the date of issue of the passport. (Renewal is a zero fee service and the application should be made in Form No. 2).

A Duplicate passport is issued in lieu of a lost/damaged passport.

Application Form No. 2

Application Form No. 2 is for making application for Police Clearance Certificate, ECNR Stamp, Inclusion of Spouse's name, changes in Name, Appearance and on Exhaustion of pages on the passport and change of address. The same Form is used for renewing a short term validity passport to its full term validity.

I don't know If I should apply for a renewal or a reissue. I also heard that if it is a reisssue, then my new passport number will be different. But unfortunately, I've already taken the VISA Fee receipt paying $100 at HDFC Bank. I'm confused about the whole thing. Please help me out.

2. How long would it take to get my passport if I applied for a reissue or a renewal? This is because I'm planning to apply to VISA in the third week of May.

Nick-H · Apr 1st, 2007, 21:01

No, I can't get my head around that either, I'm afraid.

If you can afford it, some travels companies have departments that deal with passports and visas. My wife lost hers, appied for a new one under tatkaal (you no longer have to prove you have a good reason for it to be urgent, you just pay the extra fee). The whole thing was done for her by a local travel agency; I think she had to go to the passport office once, and had minimum queueing. New passport arrived in a week.

Else I think you just have to join that dreaded queue and ask the passport office what to do.

purifier · Apr 1st, 2007, 21:06

Thanks Nick. I'll be going to the passport office tomorrow but I just wanted some advices so that I can go with some confidence tomorrow. I'll be still waiting for replies

Nick-H · Apr 1st, 2007, 21:11

We're mostly better at knowing how to get in to India on this forum

--- but there are many resident and non-resident Indian members too, so you might be lucky and have some information turn up in the next few hours. If you'd given it a week or two....

The more I try to look at that quote of yours the less I can take in a single word of it. Its enough to confuse anybody.

capt_mahajan · Apr 1st, 2007, 22:20

purifier, I am not an expert, but as far as I know

-a minor needs a new passport, a renewal won't do.
- a US visa appointment may be booked on one passport, changing the passport number at the time of appointment wasn't a problem for us.
-there is a tatkal scheme

maybe you should check this site, if not already done so
http://passport.nic.in/

purifier · Apr 1st, 2007, 23:01

Thank you so much Captain_mahajan. Its sad to know that a minor's passport cannot be renewed. But I'm a little bit worried about my second question now. I've already taken the VISA receipt from an HDFC bank paying $100. I've taken it using the old Passport. That I took to be able to block a new VISA date. But now if at all I get a new passport, I'll be given a new passport number. So can I use this during the VISA appointment. You did mention that It won't but then I'm really confused about the "blocking" of a VISA date. I don't understand how it cannot be a problem. Any suggestions please?

capt_mahajan · Apr 1st, 2007, 23:08

Not saying this will happen in your case, but, to give you an example:

when i went for an appointment to the US Consulate in Chennai, my new passport number was updated by them automatically, even though my employers had booked on the old one.

Of course, my old passport was attached to the new one, since it contained valid visas. But, you could take a photocopy. Or better still, call or email the US consulate. They reply.

I don't think this will be a problem, somehow.

Noodle · Apr 1st, 2007, 23:38

I'm not at all knowledgable about this subject but what sprang to mind was: why don't go to your Visa appointment with your old passport because it's still valid in May, right? If you get your visa in your old passport, and then apply for a new passport you get to keep the old passport because it has the visa in it, it will be stapled to the new passport.

What do the others think? Or is it too close - Visa app. in May and pp expires in June?

capt_mahajan · Apr 1st, 2007, 23:41

Noodle, I am not sure, but I dont think anybody will give you a visa on a passport expiring in one month, and that too a minor's passport.

Normally most countries require the passport to be valid for a further six months, I think.

Noodle · Apr 1st, 2007, 23:44

Oh I see. Ok, then pl ignore my post!

Noodle · Apr 1st, 2007, 23:48

Well, studying the quote in the original post I would say that the op should apply for a reissue because it says

"Reissue means an application for another passport in lieu of an existing one which has either expired or is about to expire. An applicant may apply for a new passport in lieu of an expired/ about to expire passport upto 3 years after and 1 year before the expiry of the Passport."

So my answer: apply with Form no.1 for a re-issue.

capt_mahajan · Apr 1st, 2007, 23:57

..except that when a minor becomes a major (or even a general?

) they always give you a new passport, I think. Also because of the child's photograph gets replaced.

They did with my son, anyway. Just as well. He looked more like a pig than a boy on his old (minor) passport.

edit: My information is based on what happened to me. The rules may be different... lets see if the OP comes back afterwards.

purifier · Apr 2nd, 2007, 00:21

Oh... Thanks a lot to everyone... That's the problem. My passport will be expiring in another 2 months. So I doubt if they'll allow me to the consulate.

Noodle · Apr 2nd, 2007, 00:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_mahajan

..except that when a minor becomes a major (or even a general?

) they always give you a new passport, I think. Also because of the child's photograph gets replaced.

But a new passport would also be applied for with form no. 1. So there shouldn't be a problem in any case if he fills out form no. 1.

And I believe a new picture is always used, whatever type of passport you apply for, you always have to bring a bunch of new pictures in the right size

kmalik · Apr 2nd, 2007, 01:52

It seems to be a case of lack of foresight aggravated by creating a false sense of urgency. Most US university Fall sessions begin in August/September. So, a good part of your panic is coming from your desire to apply for visa in May, which is not only unrealistic given the passport situation but also unnecessary.

On the passport renewal vs. reissue - you'd need a reissue, given the current passport was issued to a minor, like Capt Mahajan pointed out. Even if someone gave you the renewal stamp, chances are you'll have difficulty using it for travel with a 5-year younger (minor) picture. So, just get the new passport as quickly as you can and deal with the visa after that...

PS: Did not read Capt_Mahajan carefully. If the renewal gets him a passport with new picture, that could be a better option - as they'd perhaps not need to do as many checks. But I am out of my depth here, just wrote to point out that May was a false deadline.

Apr 1st, 2007, 21:01	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,856	No, I can't get my head around that either, I'm afraid. If you can afford it, some travels companies have departments that deal with passports and visas. My wife lost hers, appied for a new one under tatkaal (you no longer have to prove you have a good reason for it to be urgent, you just pay the extra fee). The whole thing was done for her by a local travel agency; I think she had to go to the passport office once, and had minimum queueing. New passport arrived in a week. Else I think you just have to join that dreaded queue and ask the passport office what to do. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Apr 1st, 2007, 23:38	#8
Noodle Crazy for the furry ones Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pune, India Posts: 1,026	I'm not at all knowledgable about this subject but what sprang to mind was: why don't go to your Visa appointment with your old passport because it's still valid in May, right? If you get your visa in your old passport, and then apply for a new passport you get to keep the old passport because it has the visa in it, it will be stapled to the new passport. What do the others think? Or is it too close - Visa app. in May and pp expires in June? __________________ If in hole stop digging. Indian saying

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Apr 1st, 2007, 21:06	#3
purifier Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: India Posts: 18	Thanks Nick. I'll be going to the passport office tomorrow but I just wanted some advices so that I can go with some confidence tomorrow. I'll be still waiting for replies

Apr 1st, 2007, 21:11	#4
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,856	We're mostly better at knowing how to get in to India on this forum --- but there are many resident and non-resident Indian members too, so you might be lucky and have some information turn up in the next few hours. If you'd given it a week or two.... The more I try to look at that quote of yours the less I can take in a single word of it. Its enough to confuse anybody.

Apr 1st, 2007, 22:20	#5
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,105	purifier, I am not an expert, but as far as I know -a minor needs a new passport, a renewal won't do. - a US visa appointment may be booked on one passport, changing the passport number at the time of appointment wasn't a problem for us. -there is a tatkal scheme maybe you should check this site, if not already done so http://passport.nic.in/

Apr 1st, 2007, 23:01	#6
purifier Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: India Posts: 18	Thank you so much Captain_mahajan. Its sad to know that a minor's passport cannot be renewed. But I'm a little bit worried about my second question now. I've already taken the VISA receipt from an HDFC bank paying $100. I've taken it using the old Passport. That I took to be able to block a new VISA date. But now if at all I get a new passport, I'll be given a new passport number. So can I use this during the VISA appointment. You did mention that It won't but then I'm really confused about the "blocking" of a VISA date. I don't understand how it cannot be a problem. Any suggestions please?

Apr 1st, 2007, 23:08	#7
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,105	Not saying this will happen in your case, but, to give you an example: when i went for an appointment to the US Consulate in Chennai, my new passport number was updated by them automatically, even though my employers had booked on the old one. Of course, my old passport was attached to the new one, since it contained valid visas. But, you could take a photocopy. Or better still, call or email the US consulate. They reply. I don't think this will be a problem, somehow.

Apr 1st, 2007, 23:41	#9
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,105	Noodle, I am not sure, but I dont think anybody will give you a visa on a passport expiring in one month, and that too a minor's passport. Normally most countries require the passport to be valid for a further six months, I think.

Apr 1st, 2007, 23:44	#10
Noodle Crazy for the furry ones Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pune, India Posts: 1,026	Oh I see. Ok, then pl ignore my post!

Apr 1st, 2007, 23:48	#11
Noodle Crazy for the furry ones Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pune, India Posts: 1,026	Well, studying the quote in the original post I would say that the op should apply for a reissue because it says "Reissue means an application for another passport in lieu of an existing one which has either expired or is about to expire. An applicant may apply for a new passport in lieu of an expired/ about to expire passport upto 3 years after and 1 year before the expiry of the Passport." So my answer: apply with Form no.1 for a re-issue.

Apr 1st, 2007, 23:57	#12
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,105	..except that when a minor becomes a major (or even a general? ) they always give you a new passport, I think. Also because of the child's photograph gets replaced. They did with my son, anyway. Just as well. He looked more like a pig than a boy on his old (minor) passport. edit: My information is based on what happened to me. The rules may be different... lets see if the OP comes back afterwards.

Apr 2nd, 2007, 00:21	#13
purifier Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: India Posts: 18	Oh... Thanks a lot to everyone... That's the problem. My passport will be expiring in another 2 months. So I doubt if they'll allow me to the consulate.

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Apr 2nd, 2007, 01:52	#15
kmalik Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 455	It seems to be a case of lack of foresight aggravated by creating a false sense of urgency. Most US university Fall sessions begin in August/September. So, a good part of your panic is coming from your desire to apply for visa in May, which is not only unrealistic given the passport situation but also unnecessary. On the passport renewal vs. reissue - you'd need a reissue, given the current passport was issued to a minor, like Capt Mahajan pointed out. Even if someone gave you the renewal stamp, chances are you'll have difficulty using it for travel with a 5-year younger (minor) picture. So, just get the new passport as quickly as you can and deal with the visa after that... PS: Did not read Capt_Mahajan carefully. If the renewal gets him a passport with new picture, that could be a better option - as they'd perhaps not need to do as many checks. But I am out of my depth here, just wrote to point out that May was a false deadline.