Phil PP Expiration date

[Brassballs 47]

My wife and daughter will be traveling with me in mid-September. My asawa's PP expires in Jan '16. All of her current docs for USEM, airline, etc. all show the Jan '16 expiry date.

Instead of going through the inconvenience of visiting a consulate here in the US (8-10 hr. drive), I'm thinking it would be easier to renew before she leaves. But will the revised expiration date have any bearing when traveling? Also any recent experience on the time to process a renewal?

[Greenbaum 12,259]

My wife and daughter will be traveling with me in mid-September. My asawa's PP expires in Jan '16. All of her current docs for USEM, airline, etc. all show the Jan '16 expiry date.

Instead of going through the inconvenience of visiting a consulate here in the US (8-10 hr. drive), I'm thinking it would be easier to renew before she leaves. But will the revised expiration date have any bearing when traveling? Also any recent experience on the time to process a renewal?

I have heard 30 - 60 days. Here is an article that someone walks you through step by step to receive it in 2 hours. Buyer beware and your milage may vary.

http://www.sunsetgoddessmanila.com/how-to-renew-your-philippine-passport-in-2-hours-or-less/

[Tahoma 2,292]

Renew the passport in 'Pinas, because she will need at least six months of validity on her passport in order to emigrate.

If she changes the name on her passport to her married name, she will have to attend the CFO seminar.

[Brassballs 47]

Not planning to change her surname in the PP if renewed in the PI because ALL travel documents currently indicate traveling under her maiden name.

But my wife brought up another issue that I totally forgot about... Her CR1 visa is already in her current PP which she will undoubtedly have to turn over to the DFA when she renews, correct? If that is the case how difficult will it be to get a replacement visa in her new PP? Or does DFA let her keep the old one?

This is getting more complicated the closer to travel date we get.

[Tahoma 2,292]

Your wife will get her old passport back from the DFA, and her visa will still be in it. No worries...

[Brassballs 47]

Whew! That's a relief and one less thing to worry about.

Thanks for the info.

[Brassballs 47]

Now that I know she will get her current PP back with the CR1 visa, is there any valid reason NOT to get the renewal with her married surname instead of birth?

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Now that I know she will get her current PP back with the CR1 visa, is there any valid reason NOT to get the renewal with her married surname instead of birth?

She can have the new pp in her married name. Keep in mind that she should have paperwork with you that shows her single and married name in case your ever asked. Buy plane tickets using the name in the pp she will be using.

[apple21 953]

Current passport is maiden name so the visa is maiden name as well, correct?

If you renew the passport to married name, what happens to the visa?

[Brassballs 47]

Current PP in maiden name. CR1 visa is in this PP. Plane tix are using this PP. Traveling in mid September and PP expires Jan 25, 2016..... 4 1/2 months after travel date.

Our plan now is to renew her PP changing name to married surname, using NSO MC as proof.

Someone earlier said that her current PP will be returned to her after renewing. So the visa and tix will still be valid. If a JAL ticket agent wants to push the 'can't travel because PP expires within 6 months' button, we can show the renewal with now (given, maiden surname, married surname) as holder, together with NSO MC and we should then be good to go again.

Anyone see a problem with this scenario.

[apple21 953]

For initial travel to the US, the immigrant visa is issued based on the passport name. The GC will be issued based on the name on the visa. Basically, passport = visa = GC all have same names.

If you change the passport name prior to the first travel to the US, will the name difference be an issue at POE? Shouldn't you ask USEM to issue a new CR1 visa bearing married name to match the new passport?

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Current PP in maiden name. CR1 visa is in this PP. Plane tix are using this PP. Traveling in mid September and PP expires Jan 25, 2016..... 4 1/2 months after travel date.

Our plan now is to renew her PP changing name to married surname, using NSO MC as proof.

Someone earlier said that her current PP will be returned to her after renewing. So the visa and tix will still be valid. If a JAL ticket agent wants to push the 'can't travel because PP expires within 6 months' button, we can show the renewal with now (given, maiden surname, married surname) as holder, together with NSO MC and we should then be good to go again.

Anyone see a problem with this scenario.

The problem is the "old" PP will be canceled, and I am not sure if they stamp canceled or they punch a couple of holes through it so immigration will see that it has been canceled. Having both passports, visa in the old, and MC and all other docs used in the visa quest, anyone can see you are legit. Oh my Gush, this is the government we are talking about and we know how that goes. Wish I had more information but I think you need to call USEM and ask the question or if your in town, Manila, go to the embassy to window 38 (don't quote me) and get the scoop from them. Once you have the info, please let us know what you find out.

[Brassballs 47]

The more I read here, the more confused/concerned I get. I never considered that her current PP would be cancelled and thus the CR1 probably invalidated.

If anything is 'good' about the situation is that my wife is taking her daughter to the USEM on 7/21 for her CR2 interview. And she just scheduled her DFA appointment for 7/22. Our travel date is still 2 months away so I think we have plenty of time to work this out. Now I need to make sure she fully understands what our options are and how to convey them to a CO or window while at the USEM.

I think I really should write up a summary so she can take it with her so there are no misunderstandings and all issues and options are explored. I'll keep you posted as to the outcome.

[Brassballs 47]

UPDATE:

Well, according to a supervisor(?) at the Bureau of Immigration, she told my wife that the 6 month issue is only relevant to tourist visas, not immigrant visa, because they are not really not expecting her to return. This is as applies to a CR visa and may not apply to K visas because there is a possibility of needing to return within 90 days. Didn't even cross that question because there was no need.

So all my previous concerns were unfounded, until we hit the ticket counter in Sep. and get an incompetent agent to process our boarding. That's when the really high blood will come to play, haha. Guess we will have a plan a trip to the wonderful 'Windy City' in the spring after the snow melts.

Thanks for all the previous suggestions and caveats.