Peculiar Issue I551

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grcd2001

Registered Users (C)
I got my GC stamped during April 2003. During the time while removing I-94 from my passport, the passport page where it was stapled was teared off. I checked with the Consulate and they advised me it is a damage to passport and I need to apply for Duplicate. I promptly went to NY and applied for it. Now I got my duplicate passport along with the original as my original has I-551 stamp. But here is the issue. My original passport in the Given name field, my middle name comes first and then the first name (middle First). But in the duplicate they flipped it (First middle). However my last name in both the passport is okay. And in the duplicate the consulate has referred my original passport number, issue date, expiry date etc.

Now my question is, will it create any problem for me during travel. Since I am going to Indian in about a week and I don't have enough time to fix this (First & middle).

Any advise or similar experience would greatly appreciated
 
no problemo. Who you are is who you are.

At most, they just may ask for extra documents (like Drivers License etc) but eventually the fact that you are the person who is permanent Resident can not be changed by a mere name flip.

Try to relax and enjoy your trip.
 
I wouldn't spend my one week prior to trip on trying to get name back in order on the passport. You have your both old and new passport , your Drivers License (plus other docs if you have any) should help you prove who you are.

I would say its a choice between spending extra half an hour at POE for this extra verification AND shuttling back and forth to Indian consulate.
 
Thank you so much for your input.

In my duplicate passport, the consultate has mentioned the old passport number, expirty date, etc and also mentioned it is cancelled as it is damaged. I am relying on this reference which should prove that my name.

I don't know if I would encounter any problem at port of entry in India. I am also thinking if I can get this fixed at India under Thatkal scheme as I would be staying there for about 4 weeks

Thanks
 
HAve you considered this?

This is probably a tangent to your original question, but there can be a relevance......

The Visa on the old passport is considered cancelled automatically on the cancellation of the passport. Therefore, it cannot be used as a travel document.

Thus you may need a new I-551 stamp on the new passport eventhough there may be validity still left on the visa stamp.

I dont know if this is 100% true (it does not sound logical to me especially when you have both the passports together), but this is what I have been told ... I have a H1-B Visa valid until June 2004, but the passport expires in April 2004. If I renew my passport, I must necessarily get a fresh Visa stamp until June 2004 (yes again) .... if I need to travel out of US and return....

Now... what I do not know is if I-551 stamp and H1-B are considered the same (both Visas but belonging to different categories) ...

Please confirm all that I have said with an attorney ... but please do confirm

Regards
 
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