H4 - name change for married girls

[bluejoy08]

Hi, I have a query regarding name change after marriage.

My current passport carries my maiden name. Recently, my husband's passport expired, and in his new passport, he got my name entered with my married surname. So, my surname in my & his passports is different. He is expected to travel to US on H1 visa, and I intend to join him on H4.

Do I need to get my surname changed in my passport before I apply for H4?

[immihelp]

You don't have to.

[bluejoy08]

ok. thanks a lot

[bluejoy08]

further to my previous query, the additional information is that my passport expires in march 2013. as i understand, i get get it renewed anytime from mar 2012 to feb 2013. i am looking to travel to US on H4 around feb - mar 2012. if my visa is approved, it should be valid till next 2.5 - 3 years. this overshoots the validity of my passport. should i wait till mar 2012, apply for a renewed passport, and then get visa stamping?

[shervin143]

Indian passport can be renewed only 12 months prior to the expiry date. VO at the U.S consulate is well aware of this. So if you apply for a visa 12 montsh prior to the passport expiry date, then the visa will be issued until the H1B petition expiry date. If you apply after that, then there are chances that you might get the visa only till the passport expiry date.

Visa is only an entry document to U.S. The visa need not be valid for you to stay in U.S. It has to be valid when you enter U.S.

further to my previous query, the additional information is that my passport expires in march 2013. as i understand, i get get it renewed anytime from mar 2012 to feb 2013. i am looking to travel to US on H4 around feb - mar 2012. if my visa is approved, it should be valid till next 2.5 - 3 years. this overshoots the validity of my passport. should i wait till mar 2012, apply for a renewed passport, and then get visa stamping?

[bluejoy08]

thanks shervin.

H1 visa expires in 3 years from now. my passport expires in 1.5 years. so if the H4 visa i get is valid for 3 years, i'll still need to renew my visa when i get my passport renewed (in case i need to travel again)? please note that in my renewed passport, my surname will change to my married surname

[shervin143]

The visa in the old passport remains valid irrespective of whether the passport is valid or not. You will need to carry both the new and the old passport when you travel. They will lookup the visa in the old passport. If you are legally changing your name, then carry proper documentation to prove your legal name change.

thanks shervin.

H1 visa expires in 3 years from now. my passport expires in 1.5 years. so if the H4 visa i get is valid for 3 years, i'll still need to renew my visa when i get my passport renewed (in case i need to travel again)? please note that in my renewed passport, my surname will change to my married surname