Passport nearing expiry; still with USEM Manila

[dafnyduck 14]

Hi, everyone! I'm new to VisaJourney. I just have a few questions regarding my passport. I just had my K1 visa interview on March 22 and my passport is still with USEM. The thing is my passport only now has 9 months validity. By the time I leave the Philippines, passport will only have 7 months left. I was thinking of renewing the passport after receiving the visa and before I leave the country. My concerns:

1. If I renew my passport, will the K1 visa in the old passport will still be valid and accepted by Immigration?
2. How about the CFO sticker/certificate in the old passport, will it still be valid?
3. Will having a new passport pose any problem during our AOS application? Or should I wait after we get married before renewing my passport?

Will appreciate your help. Thank you so much!

[Penny Pincher 11]

Hi, everyone! I'm new to VisaJourney. I just have a few questions regarding my passport. I just had my K1 visa interview on March 22 and my passport is still with USEM. The thing is my passport only now has 9 months validity. By the time I leave the Philippines, passport will only have 7 months left. I was thinking of renewing the passport after receiving the visa and before I leave the country. My concerns:

1. If I renew my passport, will the K1 visa in the old passport will still be valid and accepted by Immigration?
2. How about the CFO sticker/certificate in the old passport, will it still be valid?
3. Will having a new passport pose any problem during our AOS application? Or should I wait after we get married before renewing my passport?

Will appreciate your help. Thank you so much!

You don't need to renew your passport. 7 months is still good and enough (validity is same with the date until it expires). Were you thinking going back to home country after getting your green card? If so, once you come here in USA you can just renew it your local Philippine Consulate.

[Unidentified 2,930]

Hi, everyone! I'm new to VisaJourney. I just have a few questions regarding my passport. I just had my K1 visa interview on March 22 and my passport is still with USEM. The thing is my passport only now has 9 months validity. By the time I leave the Philippines, passport will only have 7 months left. I was thinking of renewing the passport after receiving the visa and before I leave the country. My concerns:

1. If I renew my passport, will the K1 visa in the old passport will still be valid and accepted by Immigration?
2. How about the CFO sticker/certificate in the old passport, will it still be valid?
3. Will having a new passport pose any problem during our AOS application? Or should I wait after we get married before renewing my passport?

Will appreciate your help. Thank you so much!

You only need a passport that has 6 months left on it from the day you get your visa so you're good. I was in the same position while waiting on my visa.

IF you renew your passport after getting your visa your visa will be invalid. It would be in an old destroyed passport (the people you get your passport from usually put holes in them)

You should wait until after you're married to renew passport.

[Penny Pincher 11]

IF you renew your passport after getting your visa your visa will be invalid. It would be in an old destroyed passport (the people you get your passport from usually put holes in them)

What to do if my visa is in an expired passport If my visa is in an expired passport, what should I do?

If your visa* is in a passport that has expired or will expire within 6 months of the end of your U.S. visit, you will need to get a new passport. However, you do not need to apply for a new visa. Just bring both your new passport and your old passport with the valid visa to present to the CBP Officer when you arrive in the U.S.

Source: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/826/~/what-to-do-if-my-visa-is-in-an-expired-passport

[Fr8dog 312]

For years I traveled around with 2 expired passports and a current one. The visas where in the old ones. Just make sure they don't damage the visas (and any required stickers that go with it). When they void the old passport.

I also copied all the entry and exit dates that went with the visas, just in case I would need them in the future.

[Penny Pincher 11]

For years I traveled around with 2 expired passports and a current one. The visas where in the old ones. Just make sure they don't damage the visas (and any required stickers that go with it). When they void the old passport. I also copied all the entry and exit dates that went with the visas, just in case I would need them in the future.

same goes with my wife. Her passport has only 5 years validity.

[Fr8dog 312]

same goes with my wife. Her passport has only 5 years validity.

Yep, that was the reason. Glad they finally smarted up and went back to 10-years.

[dafnyduck 14]

You don't need to renew your passport. 7 months is still good and enough (validity is same with the date until it expires). Were you thinking going back to home country after getting your green card? If so, once you come here in USA you can just renew it your local Philippine Consulate.

Nope, but we do intend to travel outside the US this year. Figured I can't do that without getting a green card first, no? Will my green card reflect my married name even if I submitted a passport with my maiden name? Or can I renew my passport whilst waiting for my green card to arrive?

You only need a passport that has 6 months left on it from the day you get your visa so you're good. I was in the same position while waiting on my visa.

IF you renew your passport after getting your visa your visa will be invalid. It would be in an old destroyed passport (the people you get your passport from usually put holes in them)

You should wait until after you're married to renew passport.

So would you recommend applying for a new passport with my married name before applying for AOS? Or is it possible to do both simultaneously?

[dafnyduck 14]

What to do if my visa is in an expired passport If my visa is in an expired passport, what should I do?

If your visa* is in a passport that has expired or will expire within 6 months of the end of your U.S. visit, you will need to get a new passport. However, you do not need to apply for a new visa. Just bring both your new passport and your old passport with the valid visa to present to the CBP Officer when you arrive in the U.S.

Source: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/826/~/what-to-do-if-my-visa-is-in-an-expired-passport

Does this also apply to K1 visa and CFO stickers as well? So would you recommend that I renew my passport before leaving the Philippines?

For years I traveled around with 2 expired passports and a current one. The visas where in the old ones. Just make sure they don't damage the visas (and any required stickers that go with it). When they void the old passport. I also copied all the entry and exit dates that went with the visas, just in case I would need them in the future.

Do you think this could apply to my case? Even if K1s are single-entry?

Thanks everyone for your input!

[Unidentified 2,930]

Nope, but we do intend to travel outside the US this year. Figured I can't do that without getting a green card first, no? Will my green card reflect my married name even if I submitted a passport with my maiden name? Or can I renew my passport whilst waiting for my green card to arrive?

So would you recommend applying for a new passport with my married name before applying for AOS? Or is it possible to do both simultaneously?

You can apply for Advance Parole (free if filed with AOS) and I really recommend getting it because even if you don't intend to travel you never know what will happen, family can get sick.

You can apply for a new passport in your married name at any time, it doesn't have to be before AOS. Passport is not needed for AOS. You should file for AOS in your married name either way.

[dafnyduck 14]

You can apply for Advance Parole (free if filed with AOS) and I really recommend getting it because even if you don't intend to travel you never know what will happen, family can get sick.

You can apply for a new passport in your married name at any time, it doesn't have to be before AOS. Passport is not needed for AOS. You should file for AOS in your married name either way.

Thank you! Will definitely keep that in mind!

[Penny Pincher 11]

Does this also apply to K1 visa and CFO stickers as well? So would you recommend that I renew my passport before leaving the Philippines?

Do you think this could apply to my case? Even if K1s are single-entry?

Thanks everyone for your input!

Yes, visa is considered valid until it expires but K1 are only singe entry as you have mentioned. CFO stickers are only in the Philippines and I believe that it is only needed for you to present in Philippines Immigration Officer when you leave your country. Are you able to renew your passport without presenting your old one? I am aware that Philippines passport costs $60 to renew here in USA plus airline tickets if you don't live near the state (where Philippine Consulate located). But, I've heard there are outreach programs wherein the Phil Consulate schedules and visits every state e.g. You live in Oklahoma, so you're local Philippine Consulate Embassy is in Chicago. It will costs you hundreds of dollars to fly to Chicago and stay in hotel (if needed). So instead of doing this, you will have to wait for their schedule to visit your state and renew your passport.

Also, if you renew your passport before you leave your country, would it take 1-3 weeks for you to accomplish it?

Regarding your maiden and married name, it is your choice if you want to use your married name when obtaining your green card. When you leave USA or go anywhere else, you just need to show your marriage certificate (copy) if you opt to use your maiden name.

Edited March 24, 2016 by Penny Pincher

[Penny Pincher 11]

You will live in Florida right? So if you decided to renew your passport with married name here in USA, you will need to go to Washington, DC. However, if you decided to renew your passport in Philippines (before going to USA), you will use your maiden name which doesn't stop you in traveling though.

Edited March 24, 2016 by Penny Pincher

[dafnyduck 14]

Yes, visa is considered valid until it expires but K1 are only singe entry as you have mentioned. CFO stickers are only in the Philippines and I believe that it is only needed for you to present in Philippines Immigration Officer when you leave your country. Are you able to renew your passport without presenting your old one? I am aware that Philippines passport costs $60 to renew here in USA plus airline tickets if you don't live near the state (where Philippine Consulate located). But, I've heard there are outreach programs wherein the Phil Consulate schedules and visits every state e.g. You live in Oklahoma, so you're local Philippine Consulate Embassy is in Chicago. It will costs you hundreds of dollars to fly to Chicago and stay in hotel (if needed). So instead of doing this, you will have to wait for their schedule to visit your state and renew your passport.

Also, if you renew your passport before you leave your country, would it 1-3 weeks for you to accomplish it?

Regarding your maiden and married name, it is your choice if you want to use your married name when obtaining your green card. When you leave USA or go anywhere else, you just need to show your marriage certificate (copy) if you opt to use your maiden name.

From what I know, the DFA (the Philippine government branch issuing passports) requires the old one during renewal so they could punch holes in it. My fear is, if I renew my passport before flying out, it might invalidate my K1 visa and the CFO certificate/sticker. Hope someone here has had this experience.

I can apply for expedited passport which usually takes 1-2 weeks.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Hi, everyone! I'm new to VisaJourney. I just have a few questions regarding my passport. I just had my K1 visa interview on March 22 and my passport is still with USEM. The thing is my passport only now has 9 months validity. By the time I leave the Philippines, passport will only have 7 months left. I was thinking of renewing the passport after receiving the visa and before I leave the country. My concerns:

1. If I renew my passport, will the K1 visa in the old passport will still be valid and accepted by Immigration?
2. How about the CFO sticker/certificate in the old passport, will it still be valid?
3. Will having a new passport pose any problem during our AOS application? Or should I wait after we get married before renewing my passport?

Will appreciate your help. Thank you so much!

Being the passport is good for your trip to the USA waiting is not a bad idea, you can then complete the Report of Marriage and renew your passport in your married name.