Indian Passport renewal in USA

[jsu1000]

Hi,

I am in USA. My old passport was expiring this year, so I applied for new passport to NY consulate. They issues passport expiring in 1 year.

There are two reasons quoted for this--
1. It was originally issues in India
2. My stamping on old passport is expired. I do have the H1 extension until 2010 and I attached the I-797 in application (but they ignored that)

Now I am not sure what to do next. They do not pick up phone calls . I tried so many times. Do I have to go back to India and get the new visa stamped again?

Please help!

- Jagdish

[knowledgeable]

Your reasons ...

... have nothing to do with the new Indian passport. I am wondering why they issued the passport with only 1 year validity.

You need to check your copy of the application form to see if there was anything specific mentioned.

They give the new passport with a validity of 10 years.

I'm sorry but can't be of much help.

You may be better of going to the place and talking to somebody there.

Good luck.

[jsu1000]

Thank you for your help. I will enquire more before taking a day off and spending money to go to NY.

[knowledgeable]

Everything eventually boils down to money ...

... if you think it's going to cost you more to take a day off just to go to NYC, then you're better off not doing anything about it right now.

Wait for six months to nine months and then just get your this passport renewed again and this time add a proper cover letter explaining that they screwed up last time and they better make sure they give you 10 year passport (politely, of course!)

Alternatively you can just write a letter now with copies of your application form and the new passport and let them know that they need to fix it. Send it by "return receipt" and address to Consul General of India. You can also fax it to (212) 861-3788.
Address your letter directly to Ambassador Neelam Deo who is the Consul General of India in New York since October, 2005.

It's a shame that these people fall into the category who give the worst treatment to their own countrymen.

Good luck to you.

[jsu1000]

HI Knowledgeable,

You stand to your nickname. This post really helped me. I will writes a letter to consulate and also fax it to them.

Meanwhile I am ashamed that even in country like USA where we have more than 2 Million Indians, there is not a single telephone number which can be called to reach consulate. What should we do in case of emergency?

Thanks!

[knowledgeable]

Thank you ...

... for the compliments, appreciate it.

Hope you get your work done.

Actually, there are phone and fax numbers. It's just that they don't respond as they plain and simple DO NOT CARE.

Yes, I am embarrassed to even mention this in print, but unfortunately that's the way it is.

Good luck.

[txh1b]

My thoughts go to the victim who lost his PP in NYC. He never returned to the forum