Clarification on Name Split in Spouse’s Passport (H4 Visa Holder)

[rahulraman]

I am currently in the U.S. on an H1B visa for the past 5 years, and my spouse is here on an H4 visa.

There is an issue with my spouse’s Indian passport — her full name “AAAA BBBB” was entered entirely in the Given Name field, leaving the Surname field blank. This has resulted in the following inconsistencies across documents:

• U.S. Visa: First Name – FNU, Last Name – AAAA BBBB
• I-797: No First Name, Last Name – AAAA BBBB

Our current visa expired on May 5, 2025, and we have already received an extension until March 26, 2026 (my H1B max-out date). Recently, my I-140 was approved, and my employer will soon file for another extension.

We are now considering correcting my spouse’s name in her passport by splitting it properly as follows:

• Current: Given Name – AAAA BBBB, Surname – (blank)
• Proposed: Given Name – AAAA, Surname – BBBB

So far, we haven’t faced major issues, except for occasional name mismatches while booking airline tickets. However, I want to ensure consistency across all future immigration documents — her passport, the next I-797 (post-extension), and her U.S. visa after the next stamping in India.

Given this background, would you recommend proceeding with the passport name correction now, or keeping it as it is to avoid potential complications with her current visa and I-797?

Thank you for your guidance.

Best regards,
Rahul

[rkk09]

Hi,
Its better to correct passport before you file ext for her. Once you receive new passport with corrected info, you can file an Ext and new approval notice will reflect with corrected name. From there, all records will be updated accordingly. When you travel for stamping interview, visa copy and I-94 too updated accordingly. Please make sure to carry both old and new passports when she goes for stamping interview and travel back to the country.
Thanks

[Liberty48]

I second rkk09. Start by fixing the passport. You can refer to that for everything going forward.