Passport: Lost and Found, problem?

[MLG 0]

My Chinese fiancee was filling out form DS-157 (Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application), just a form with a whole bunch of questions that she's answered before, except for one:

"Have you ever lost a passport or had one stolen?"

The answer is "yes." She lost her Chinese passport, had a new one issued (the new passport has a page that says it's a replacement for the old one), and then she found the old one!

We intend to answer this question honestly but I'm wondering if it is going to cause delays. We're thinking of sending a note explaining what happend. We do have the old passport on hand.

So, my question: when we answer yes, is this going to cause problems?

Edited April 2, 2007 by MLG

[TracyTN 237]

I think it would cause more problems to lie about it.

[metta 0]

Technically, your SO did not lose her passport not was it stolen. Gathering from your post, she probably MISPLACED her passport and had a new one issued. Since she recovered her passport she probably never lost possesion of the passport. That's my opinion.

[TracyTN 237]

Technically, your SO did not lose her passport not was it stolen. Gathering from your post, she probably MISPLACED her passport and had a new one issued. Since she recovered her passport she probably never lost possesion of the passport. That's my opinion.

Well, the question does ask if it was LOST or stolen. What's the difference between 'lost' or 'misplaced' if she never found the original?

[payxibka 10,045]

I really don't think it is an issue... You can always attach an explanation to the form or when the interview occurs bring in both the original and the replacement passport to demonstrate that there is not one "floating" around....

[metta 0]

My Chinese fiancee was filling out form DS-157 (Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application), just a form with a whole bunch of questions that she's answered before, except for one:

"Have you ever lost a passport or had one stolen?"

The answer is "yes." She lost her Chinese passport, had a new one issued (the new passport has a page that says it's a replacement for the old one), and then she found the old one!

We intend to answer this question honestly but I'm wondering if it is going to cause delays. We're thinking of sending a note explaining what happend. We do have the old passport on hand.

So, my question: when we answer yes, is this going to cause problems?

I was refering to the above underlined para.

If it were me, I would answer NO and prevent implications of "stolen identity" etc.and whatever ramifications that might follow thereof. And, my reason would be that I never lost possession of the passport. That to me is the DIFFERENCE between lost and misplace.

[TracyTN 237]

If you can't lay hands on the original passport, then it is lost - whether its lost in your house our out in town square. So if you say 'no' to has your passport been lost or stolen, then you take your new passport -the one with an indication inside that it is a replacement - to the interview -- doesn't match up with your answer on the form.

Passports get lost all the time - it happens. If you're concerned about answering 'yes', then fwaguy's suggestion makes sense.

Or hey, say 'no' and then hope beyond hope that they don't realize it and think you've lied. Whatever - its your visa journey.

[Otto 83]

I doubt it's a big deal to answer "Yes" as far as your petition goes.

Kind of hard to get around answering "No" when the new passport says "Replacement" on it ... Can always carry the lost (and now found) passport to the interview if concerned about it...

[John W 1]

If you can't lay hands on the original passport, then it is lost - whether its lost in your house our out in town square. So if you say 'no' to has your passport been lost or stolen, then you take your new passport -the one with an indication inside that it is a replacement - to the interview -- doesn't match up with your answer on the form.

Passports get lost all the time - it happens. If you're concerned about answering 'yes', then fwaguy's suggestion makes sense.

Or hey, say 'no' and then hope beyond hope that they don't realize it and think you've lied. Whatever - its your visa journey.

If you say NO and the passport clearly shows its a replacement then you're in trouble. Answer YES with an explaination like fwaguy said is the best answer in my opinion.

John

[MLG 0]

thanks guys. i think i will take fwaguy's idea.

good luck to everybody!

[pushbrk 12,883]

thanks guys. i think i will take fwaguy's idea.

good luck to everybody!

Sounds like a good idea to me. If she never actually used the new one, there is probably no reason to keep it. I would also suggest she check with her local police office to find out the appropriate disposition of having two passports and then follow that advice.

[John W 1]

thanks guys. i think i will take fwaguy's idea.

good luck to everybody!

Sounds like a good idea to me. If she never actually used the new one, there is probably no reason to keep it. I would also suggest she check with her local police office to find out the appropriate disposition of having two passports and then follow that advice.

Being issued a replacement automatically invalidates the original passport