Applying for L1A (3 ys), passport expires within 21 months

[osa]

Hello,

I already made an appointment for the L1A Visa (tax paid), just later, I noticed that appliants “…are required to have the passport validity only for the duration of their stay in the U.S. Otherwise, the person will be admitted into the U.S. only until the date on which the passport expires.”
Unfortunately, the expiry date of my Passport (Aug. 2015) is prior to the expected expiry date of the visa (Feb. 2017).

Does anybody know how should I proceed?

Must I really issue a new passport as quick as possible, fill in a new DS-160 (I cannot edit it with a new passport number) and schedule a new appointment with the new DS-160-ID (having to pay the 190.00 USD once again, since the DS-160-ID cannot be changed)?

Thanks for your help.

[raghvi]

Hello,

I already made an appointment for the L1A Visa (tax paid), just later, I noticed that appliants “…are required to have the passport validity only for the duration of their stay in the U.S. Otherwise, the person will be admitted into the U.S. only until the date on which the passport expires.”
Unfortunately, the expiry date of my Passport (Aug. 2015) is prior to the expected expiry date of the visa (Feb. 2017).

Does anybody know how should I proceed?

Must I really issue a new passport as quick as possible, fill in a new DS-160 (I cannot edit it with a new passport number) and schedule a new appointment with the new DS-160-ID (having to pay the 190.00 USD once again, since the DS-160-ID cannot be changed)?

Thanks for your help.

I don't think you can renew your passport 20 Months before its expiry. Dont panic.

You can use the existing passport, consulates generally grant L1A visa for 3 Years. Yes, at the Port of Entry you will most likely get an I-94 only till Aug 2015. But you can renew your passport and then later on file extension/request CBP/or travel out of US and re enter US (either of these 3 options) as long as you have a valid visa in order to get a new I-94.
Here is what most of the folks do:
1. Get L1/H1 visa stamped (as your passport is valid more than 6 Months in future no worry).
2. Enter US.
3. Once in US, near passport expiry date (lets say around Feb-March 2015) , renew passport in US itself . You can renew passport as early 1 Year before expiry.
4. Once passport is renewed you can follow any of the option.
a. Go to nearest CBP officer and request for new I-94
b. Apply I539 seeking I-94 extension
c. Leave US and re enter to get a I-94


This is my opinion not legal advice.

[osa]

Thank you very much raghvi, for the nice and detailled answer. It sounds reasonable, I will do some further research.