Passport is expiring before my I20 is going to expire

**bewakoof** · 08-10-2008, 04:51 PM

I am very confused regarding my passport and visa expiration issue:

I have read two different things on the validity of my passport:

I have read that your passport needs to be valid for 6 months beyond your expected stay in us. Which is 2010 for me because I am going for my MBA. And somewhere it says that your passport needs to be valid for 6 months at the time of your visa interview..
I am not sure which one is right?

My passport is valid for one more year that is till 2009 so it can't be renewed right now.

What should I do?? Did anyone face any similar problem..

**Tino** · 08-11-2008, 01:13 AM

Why can't you renew it now?
Tino

**bewakoof** · 08-11-2008, 03:09 AM

My passport is valid for more than a year and Indian embassy in Nepal will not renew my passport when it is still valid for a year.

FYI : I am an Indian resident living in Nepal. I was on F1 and H1-B before and all my visa has been issued from Nepal itself.

**paradox3696** · 08-12-2008, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by bewakoof

My passport is valid for more than a year and Indian embassy in Nepal will not renew my passport when it is still valid for a year.

FYI : I am an Indian resident living in Nepal. I was on F1 and H1-B before and all my visa has been issued from Nepal itself.

Since your passport is still valid for more than 6 months at the time of visa application, you shall be fine.

Assuming that your F1 visa is granted then you can submit your passpor to Indian Embassy in USA for renewal.

Hope it helps.

**bewakoof** · 08-12-2008, 11:21 AM

Thanks -so you are saying, I can enter US if my passport is valid for more than 6 months. Expiraion date of I-20 is not an issue.

THANKYOU!

**Tino** · 08-12-2008, 01:46 PM

Your passport must be valid for 6 months or more when you enter the USA. If you enter with a passport that is valid for less than 6 months you may (probably) be turned away. Actually, you probably will not be allowed to board the plane (this is a normal rule in most countries).

I would expect that the Indian embassy will make an exception if you explain that you plan to move to the USA as an F-1 student for an extended period. Or why not just tell them you lost your passport and need a new one?

I would suggest getting a new passport before leaving to make life easier.

And what is this about I-20 expiration?

Tino

**paradox3696** · 08-12-2008, 02:37 PM

[QUOTE]

Originally Posted by Tino

Your passport must be valid for 6 months or more when you enter the USA. If you enter with a passport that is valid for less than 6 months you may (probably) be turned away. Actually, you probably will not be allowed to board the plane (this is a normal rule in most countries)

.

Tino is exactly right.

I would expect that the Indian embassy will make an exception if you explain that you plan to move to the USA as an F-1 student for an extended period. Or why not just tell them you lost your passport and need a new one?

Reapplying for stolen or losing passport in some countries could be months if not years. Please make sure that you check with your country's issuance authortity.

I would suggest getting a new passport before leaving to make life easier.

And what is this about I-20 expiration?

You got me Tino.

**bewakoof** · 08-12-2008, 03:30 PM

i20 expiration - i mean how we have a date in I-20.. The last date till which you are expected to complete your studies.. hmm for example, for UCLA.. my MBA is from Sept 12th, 2008 to June 15th, 2010.

**Tino** · 08-12-2008, 06:30 PM

Ahhh....

Dont worry about the end date on the I-20... the school can extend that. What is important is the STARTING date, you can enter the USA 30 to 0 days BEFORE the starting date. You cannot enter AFTER the starting date. But why would you? You would be late for class.

So you may enter the USA between Aug 13 and Sept 12 2008.

Tino

personal statement: Thx Paradox

**Tino** · 08-12-2008, 07:05 PM

Oh, let me add this:

I know a number of cases where people entered AFTER the starting date on their I-20.... and you may hear that from people (that you can enter after). It is possible that the immigration officer will be nice and let you in. But the rule is that you must arrive on or before the starting date, so arrive after at your own risk. You could be denied entry.

Tino