F1 to H1 Stamping, Passport problem

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Hi,

I have got a peculiar problem :o . My passport is expiring in Feb' 2007. But I have got my H1 papers valid until Feb 2008.

For getting F1 to H1 stamping on my Passport I was thinking of going to Chennai or Cuidad Juarez, Mexico. At both these places they want the Passport to be valid for at least 6 months past your intended stay in USA. So, in my case to get the H1 Stamping at either of these places, my Passport should be valid until at least Aug' 2008. But my Passport is expiring in Feb' 2007.
I tried to renew my Passport at the Indian Consulate in Houston but they told me that I can apply for renewal only after Feb'2006.
1. Is there a way I can get my Passport renewed?
2. could you tell me an American Consulate in Mexico, Canada or India, which would accept my application for H1B Visa?

Thanks in anticipation,

Deepak
 
I am having the same problem too and I am changing from F-1 to H-1 as well, but I went through the document requirements in US Embassy, Chennai website and it says the following.

"An individual passport valid for travel to the U.S. for at least six months after your date of entry in to the U.S."

I believe it is not six months after your VISA expiry, it is six months after the date of entry into US. For reference please see the following link and let me know ur suggestions, comments, critics

http://usembassy.state.gov/chennai/wwwhnivrdphoto.html
 
Thanks a lot for your reply.

My American Attorney told me that you would need the passport to be valid 6 months past your intended stay and She also told me that in Chennai this rule holds good. Also, I know that this rule holds good for Cuidad Juarez.

But after checking out the link, I am trying to verify again and would suggest the same to you before jumpin in... :)

I will keep you updated on this one and please let me know your findings and researches on this issue.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Sorry Deepak,

I did not read your post carefully, wrt to the dates.

You need the PP valid for 6 mos. beyond the date you apply for visa. How long you intend to stay is immaterial.
 
My Passport Expires on 02/24/2007 and H-1 05/06/2007

I called up the Indian Embassy, US - people today morning and asked them about this issue and the person said the following:

"You have a long time for your passport expiry date and you cannot apply for a renewal of your passport right now, it is absolutely not a problem to get your VISA stamped, if you have your passport expiry date earlier than your VISA expiry date.

You can get your VISA restamped once you get your new passport."

Hope this helps.
 
Given a approved H1-b petition, how often the consulate will grant a H1 visa if you entered with a F1.

please share your experiencen.

thanks
 
Robert8 said:
Given a approved H1-b petition, how often the consulate will grant a H1 visa if you entered with a F1.

please share your experiencen.

thanks
Click to expand...
I don't think there are definite stats. for that, but normally if F1/H1 s are clean, then it is not held against you. Scores and scores of people get through regularly.
 
The I-94 will be valid till the passport is valid

At the POE they will give you the I-94 Valid upto the expire date of your passport.. although the Visa will be valid as per the date given in your approval...
 
You can use the visa on the old expired passport

There is no need to get the visa stampped on the new passport if it is valid for some more time... you can use both the passport.. show the visa in the old expired passport along with the new passport... The Indian consulate don't cancell the visa...
I hope this will help
 
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