Correcting Passport Number in Visa

[sunilv]

Hi Immihelp,

I am writing this on behalf of my father-in-law. He got the multiple entry USA visa 4 months back from Chennai consulate along with his wife. He went for a one month trip to Gulf last month. At that time the Immigration found a problem with his passport number. His passport no is Cxxxxxxx which starts with C. But in the barcode like area in the passport where they are scanning and the area where the passport number is punched with holes, the passport no is Gxxxxxxx which starts with G, but the numbers are correct. They verified with their system and said the no. which starts with G is correct and the letter C is misspelled or not clear and let him go ahead with the trip. They also notified him to get corrected the passport when he come back.

As we all know we refer the area where the passport no is written for all purposes. We applied for the USA visa with that no. (Cxxxxxxx) and he got the USA Visa stamped with passport no Cxxxxxxx which starts with C. Now in his Visa the passport no. is Cxxxxxxx which is wrong.

So if he gets the new passport or get corrected the passport with the correct number (Gxxxxxxx) whether we need to redo the whole process for the Visa or we can correct the visa with new no (Or correct no.) at the Chennai consulate.
If we need to correct the Visa what are all the procedures?
If we corrected the passport at passport office whether they will issue a new passport or they correct the existing passport?
If they issue a new passport whether they will give back the old passport? (bcoz we need a proof to show the consulate what exactly happened)

Please help me for this problem as soon as possible because he is planning to USA in Jan with his wife. Thank GOD he went to a Gulf trip first before coming to USA.

I am asking all the senior members to give me a good advice for this problem.

Thanks

[txh1b]

The passport office can just note an observation on the current passport and then you can submit it for correction of the visa with a detailed note about the error in passport number.

Contact the VFS service/consulate that stamped the visa by emailing.

[sunilv]

The passport office can just note an observation on the current passport and then you can submit it for correction of the visa with a detailed note about the error in passport number.

Contact the VFS service/consulate that stamped the visa by emailing.

Are you sure the passport office can note an observation on the current passport and will not issue a new passport.

[txh1b]

For an error like this, they will not issue a new PP in US. You have to check with the Indian authorities in India. New passport or not has got little to do with your case. Even if they issue a new passport, the valid visas in old passport are always valid.

[sunilv]

For an error like this, they will not issue a new PP in US. You have to check with the Indian authorities in India. New passport or not has got little to do with your case. Even if they issue a new passport, the valid visas in old passport are always valid.

My father-in-law is in India now. So I have to correct it in India only before he comes to US for first time. I heard somewhere that if the error is made by them (like in my case) then they will issue a new passport otherwise they will correct it in the old one.

My question is if they issue a new passport whether they will return the old passport in which the Visa is stamped. Then only we can show the issue to Consulate to correct the Visa.

I think Immihelp is the best place to discuss this strange issue rather than contacting Passport Office by email. Please help me out.

[txh1b]

The government does not keep the old passport. Passport is always returned with the appropriate cancellation stamps.