Do I need to renew my passport now?

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Hi all,

I have a rather iffy situation with my passport that I need some clarity on.

I'm currently having my H1B visa application processed and may (if approved) get a H1B visa stamped on my passport later this year.

Let's say I get it stamped in September. This would result in the H1B visa being valid from 1/9/2013 to 1/9/2016 (period of 3 years)


My Indian passport expires on 22/1/2017. That's 3+ months after my H1B visa expires.


However, my concern stems from the policy below quoted on several immi-related sites:

" For a U.S. Consulate to issue H1B visa stamp in your passport, the passport must be valid for 6 months after the expiration of a US visa. "

In which case, my passport may not quality for the H1B visa stamping, thereby requiring me to renew my passport at this stage.


My questions are as follows:

1. Is this information accurate? Are there any exceptions?

2. Do I really need to renew my passport now for 10 years? (problem here is they don't do renewals for expiry dates that are well over a year)

3. I've read that the H1B visa is issued in the form of an I94 which holds its validity independently. If yes, can I just renew my passport later? Heard it is easier to renew the passport in the US.

Please pour in your thoughts and suggestions.

Thanks for reading.

[Kandiyaar]

you don't need to renew your passport .

don't apply for its renewal until you get stamped .

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@Kandiyaar

Thanks for the tip! Much appreciated.

Just to have some closure on this:

1. So does it make sense to renew my passport in 2017? And in the US?

2. Will I have trouble with the H1B visa stamping given my current PP expiry date? (I'm referring to the policy I quoted)

Thanks

[Kandiyaar]

1. you can renew your passport in 2017 in US / India , apply for its renewal six months before its actual expiry date .

2.you will not have any problem

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1. you can renew your passport in 2017 in US / India , apply for its renewal six months before its actual expiry date .

2.you will not have any problem

Thanks again! Have a good one!