going to india. passport expired

[madhugl]

Hi, I am Madhu. I came on a F-1 visa to US in Jan 2006. My visa expired on Jan 2011. I am pursuing my studies here and have a valid I-20.

I booked my ticket to go to India. My travel date is on March 18. I just checked and came to know that my passport expired on March 1, 2011.

Just want to know if it will be a problem to go to India. Should I get a new passport now or any other document to go to India. If so can you please tell me the consular office contact number because I am unable to find it on the web.

Will be waiting for your reply.

Thanks.

[kabkaba]

Of course it is a big problem. You must have a valid passport for any international travel.
Visit the nearest Indian embassy/consulate and get the passport renewed asap.

You will also need to renew your F1 Visa when you go to India.

[Siddh_44]

Passport validity before applying for F1 visa

I m Sidd and I wish to join a PhD program in US starting August 2011. The I-20 mentions length of the program as 60 months.I may be able to complete the program before that. My passport expires in October 2015. Is there a law that says i need a passport valid for the duration on the I-20 + 6 months. Or could I apply for the visa on this passport. The passport authority does not renew passports before a year or less of expiry.

Please guide me urgently.

Thanks.

[txh1b]

I m Sidd and I wish to join a PhD program in US starting August 2011. The I-20 mentions length of the program as 60 months.I may be able to complete the program before that. My passport expires in October 2015. Is there a law that says i need a passport valid for the duration on the I-20 + 6 months. Or could I apply for the visa on this passport. The passport authority does not renew passports before a year or less of expiry.

Please guide me urgently.

Thanks.

You can get the visa stamped now and renew your passport in US within 1 year of the expiry. No law requiring the PP to be valid for I20 period plus 6 months.

[Siddh_44]

Regarding some PP validity info on this website

Thank you very much for the reply. I read on the F1 section of this website(https://www.immihelp.com/passport-fo...r-immigration/) the following:

"For non-immigrant visa applicants, you are required to have passport valid for travel for at least six months beyond your date of intended stay into the US."

What is this suppose to mean ?

I really appreciate your help and look forward to more guidance.

Thanks.