Need help on 20-year validity Indian passport ASAP!

D

dilbert30

Registered Users (C)
Posted this on a different forum and didnt get a reply for the last few days.. so, trying again by posting here
--------

Guys, I have used these forums for some years now (for H1B, GC, etc) and first off- thanks to everyone for their contribution and help.
I have a 20yr validity Indian PP and am a GC holder (I got my GC four yrs back). I had seen that the Indian consulate (atleast in SF a few years back) issued a statement that 20yr PP was valid and we could get our PPs reissued for no cost. Does that statement still exist on the CGI SF website??

I had not made any efforts to change my PP and have been traveling in and out of the US. Yesterday when I was returning, at the POE, i was grilled on why my pp was 20 yrs validity and the IO had never seen anything but 5 or 10yrs. He said he would run my GC to let me in which he did and had no problem.

I think i want to just get the PP changed to 10 yr validity.
I saw a link for new PPs in CGI SF website BUT am not able to open the online application. Any experiences or suggestions on this?

The situation is complicated since I have to travel again at the end of Jan to India and am very worried abt starting this new PP application at this time..

What would you guys suggest I do? This is the first time yesterday I even got asked abt this 20 yr passport thing altho I know this concern has existed. I came home and found that even the US consulate at Chennai says this is an issue but the 20yr valid PP should be recognized as ok.

Thanks for any help / suggestions
--dilbert
 
My mom still uses the 20 year passport, and she hasn't had any problems. I don't think you'll run into problems that often, and when they do question you, just tell them that India used to issue 20 year passports. But, I guess if you really don't want any hassle, then you could get a 10 year passport.
 
Thanks for your response. Telling them is quite a stressful and painful process (as I had to find out)... Is there any documentation that tells you that the 20yr pp is ok? thanks
 
thanks for the links.. In the link, it says PPs issued in 1999 and 2000. Actually, mine (and my parents) were issued in 1998..

But the other documentation (press release from mumbai consulate) is very useful. Thanks so much!!!

-dilbert
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top