Expired passports, AOS, and AP

[~Nini~ 2]

Okay, so here's my dilemma...

My current passport (with the K1 visa in it) expires in July 2008. Because of the mad rush that was started by the new requirements for Western Hemisphere travel, I was really hesitant to get my passport renewed before/during the K1 process. Most likely I'll be looking at renewing my passport from the States once I cross over in January, which might take forever and a day with the mailing system.

Now that AOS, AP and EAD are filed all at once, my question is whether my expiring passport is going to be an issue when it comes time for my AOS appointment (or really, at any other time). I do need AP because I have a wedding in March (which I can say no to if my AP isn't through yet) but also another important family wedding in August, which means that I need to get my passport renewed before then.

Ideally, I would like to cross over, file for AOS/AP/EAD, and start the process to get my passport renewed. I'm hoping that my passport will take roughly six to eight weeks. I'm not sure whether they'll request my old passport (with K1 visa) back - so far I haven't read on the Passport Canada website that I need to mail the office my old passport.

Obviously AOS/AP/EAD will be determined by how long it'll take to get each of those - but my main question is, will it be an issue if I renew my passport during the process? I'm not sure whether the AOS appointment requires the passport with the K1 visa in it or whether AP will require a valid (whether old or new) passport in order to work.

I've read the guides and looked on the VJ search to no avail, so any advice and all info would be incredibly helpful. Thanks

[Kez/JWolf 6]

You dont need a valid passport for the AOS interview but you do need a valid passport to use the AP... the AP alone is not enough to exit or return... but you do not need the K1 visa anymore.. take a photo copy for your records before you send in your old passport for renewal...

Kez

[Kathryn41 3,205]

You shouldn't have any problems renewing your passport after you file for AOS. Just make copies of the visa and the I-94 that is in your old passport. You may actually wish to take the I-94 out of the passport so you can bring it to the interview if one is required and your old passport isn't returned. If your passport is already expired you don't need to return it with your application for a new passport. If your passport is still valid and not expired, you do need to return it with your application so they can cancel it. You can request its return with your new passport. I would allow more time, however, to get your passport back since there will probably still be a delay in passport renewal due to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiatives mandated by the US. I have heard recent processing times of around 12 weeks for passports submitted from and returned to the US.

Edited August 15, 2007 by Kathryn41

[misa 2]

Is one allowed to rip out the page containing their visa? I'd definitely take out the I-94.

[L_n_O 3]

hmmm,... that sounds scary..

[~Nini~ 2]

Most likely Passport Services will want the entire passport intact when I mail it to them for renewal, since it won't be expired by the time I'll send my application out for a new passport.

I guess my dilemma is now making sure that I get a new passport in time for AP, and deciding on the best effective time to get it renewed. Luckily I have a guarantor who can sign the photos for me, but I hate the thought of mailing out for my passport, since I've always been able to do it in person at Sinclair Centre downtown. Would it be safe to say that I should mail it out immediately after I file for AOS then?

Also, I thought the I-94 was a separate card and not actually stickied to a page of the passport, like the K1 visa?

[Krikit 1,164]

Most likely Passport Services will want the entire passport intact when I mail it to them for renewal, since it won't be expired by the time I'll send my application out for a new passport.

I guess my dilemma is now making sure that I get a new passport in time for AP, and deciding on the best effective time to get it renewed. Luckily I have a guarantor who can sign the photos for me, but I hate the thought of mailing out for my passport, since I've always been able to do it in person at Sinclair Centre downtown. Would it be safe to say that I should mail it out immediately after I file for AOS then?

Also, I thought the I-94 was a separate card and not actually stickied to a page of the passport, like the K1 visa?

If you're going to be in Canada for any length of time (in March) it may be a thought to drop into a passport office in person during your visit.

The I-94 is a separate card, however they also stamp and enter information directly onto the page behind it in your passport.

[Jashley820 0]

Most likely Passport Services will want the entire passport intact when I mail it to them for renewal, since it won't be expired by the time I'll send my application out for a new passport.

I guess my dilemma is now making sure that I get a new passport in time for AP, and deciding on the best effective time to get it renewed. Luckily I have a guarantor who can sign the photos for me, but I hate the thought of mailing out for my passport, since I've always been able to do it in person at Sinclair Centre downtown. Would it be safe to say that I should mail it out immediately after I file for AOS then?

Also, I thought the I-94 was a separate card and not actually stickied to a page of the passport, like the K1 visa?

If you're going to be in Canada for any length of time (in March) it may be a thought to drop into a passport office in person during your visit.

The I-94 is a separate card, however they also stamp and enter information directly onto the page behind it in your passport.

I think that it's a great idea to drop into an office early one morning if you're going to be up there. All they do with your old passport is cancel it- they give it back to you right then. I bet you processing is faster if you go in person rather than mail it in from the U.S.

Good luck!! Mine doesn't expire until 2009 but I want to get my married name on there, so I am going through the same dilemma as you. I've determined that I am going to do it in person once I get AP.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Actually, the visa is irremovable in the passport. The I-94 is stapled into the passport with a perforated edge. I actually included the original I-94 when I sent in my AOS by removing it along the perforations. (I thought that is what the directions said - didn't realize that a copy would do), so yes, you can remove it while still keeping the passport intact.

[misa 2]

Yeah, the I-94 is just stapled in your passport but the visa itself is stuck on a page... I just wonder if Passport Canada would have a problem if you ripped the entire page with the visa out. What would happen if you did that and sent it in? When you go in person, they don't look at all the pages, just the biographical page and they cut the corner to "invalidate" it.

Hopefully by the time my passport needs renewing it won't be such a hassle from the U.S.

Edited August 15, 2007 by misa

[Jeremy + Kristy 0]

Is there a Canadian consulate near you that you could renew your passport from?

[~Nini~ 2]

Unfortunately any Canadian living in the US requiring passport renewals needs to mail it to Passport Canada in Gatineau, QC. And the closest consulate-general to Bee's house is either in Buffalo NY, or DC, either which take about a three hour drive in either direction.

Depending on whether things at Passport Canada have slowed down, doing it in person is a good option. If I got AP (in my expiring passport) to go back to Vancouver in March and renew my passport in person, would I be able to get back into the US? I presumed that AP was a stamp that they placed in the passport, so wouldn't it be invalidated once I renewed my passport?

This is getting into the realm of complicated.

[jynxNdragnfly 0]

DO NOT RIP PAGES OUT OF YOUR PASSPORT!!!!!! The passport then becomes damaged, the missing page becomes HIGHLY suspicious and it causes more paperwork and problems for you.

Nini & Bee I sent you a PM in an effort to help.

If you apply in person in Vancouver you have to pick it up in person in Vancouver. No way around that. There is express service available for more money depending on how long you are staying in the Vancouver area.

Canadian Consulates in the USA do not do anything for you in regards of passports at this time other than give you forms and very bad information. It's something that we have been fighting with them about for quite sometime and hoping it changes sooner than later. Normally they tell you to go to an office in Canada to do your passport.

[misa 2]

DO NOT RIP PAGES OUT OF YOUR PASSPORT!!!!!! The passport then becomes damaged, the missing page becomes HIGHLY suspicious and it causes more paperwork and problems for you.

Good to know!

I knew you'd come strolling by soon.

Edited August 15, 2007 by misa

[jynxNdragnfly 0]

What can I say LOL Anything to make everyone's life easier