Passport Validity for H1B Visas

[eswar]

Hi All,

My passport expires in May, 2009. I am planning to go for stamping some time this month end. If I get visa without any problem how long will the visa valid? Is visa valid till May, 2009 or for 3 years from the stamping date?

Is it better to renew my passport some time in May 2008 and go for stamping or I can renew my passport after stamping also.

Please let me know your views.

Thanks & Regards
Eswar

[txh1b]

As long as the passport is valid for 6 months or more at the time of stamping, you are fine. The visa will be issued till the DOE of your I797 petition, not your passport.

However, POE officers, at their discretion may issue you I-94 till the date of your passport expiry and that happens to many people causing additional pain involving filing of H1b extensions.

Passport can be renewed 12 months before it expires.

[DMX17]

No big deal.

Visa will be valid till the expiration of I-797. Visa on an expired passport can be used as the old passport is attached to the new one, in case of India passports.

[eswar]

Thank you

Hi,

Thanks for quick response. So if I get stamping in April the visa and renew my passport before entering US my visa will be valid upto 3 years right? Please let me know.

As I cant renew my passport if my expiry of passport is more then year, first I want go for stamping and then renew passport before entering US. Is that fine?

Thanks

[txh1b]

Hi,
So if I get stamping in April the visa and renew my passport before entering US my visa will be valid upto 3 years right?

Yes and the visa will remain valid even after you get a new passport. You just have to carry both old and new passport while you travel.

[eswar]

Thanks

Thank you for quick response and clarifying my query.