Passport renewal + AOS in progress

[awkwardsoul 20]

Hey all,

I'm in the process of waiting for my GC (via K1 and filing for AOS). I got my EAD combo card recently. Now that I can get outta this country, I would like to finally go on our honeymoon cruise before the summer before I start working. But, my passport is close to expiring, June 2013 - luckily before the passport fee hikes up to $260 this July. We haven't booked anything yet, and not sure to get the passport now or after our trip.

With no word from my GC progress, if I sent off my passport for renewal and I got called in for my GC interview... would that be a problem if I was lacking my original passport with my visa stamp? or lacking a passport entirely?

If I filed for a new passport now, would they 100% return my old one if I asked?

[Flames9_RN 358]

Hey all,

I'm in the process of waiting for my GC (via K1 and filing for AOS). I got my EAD combo card recently. Now that I can get outta this country, I would like to finally go on our honeymoon cruise before the summer before I start working. But, my passport is close to expiring, June 2013 - luckily before the passport fee hikes up to $260 this July. We haven't booked anything yet, and not sure to get the passport now or after our trip.

With no word from my GC progress, if I sent off my passport for renewal and I got called in for my GC interview... would that be a problem if I was lacking my original passport with my visa stamp? or lacking a passport entirely?

If I filed for a new passport now, would they 100% return my old one if I asked?

No help for ur passport--but great site for cruises is cruisecritic.com (CC) awesome site for reviews from every day people! Even find info on the ports. As well can find people from ur actual cruise on the ROLL CALL forum. We have used http://www.cruisecompete.com/ to do our past cruises! Prices are usually the same, but some offer more onboard credit (OBC) Were doing a Med cruise this May. Highly recommend CC forums--so much info.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Does your passport have your I-94 in it? When I had my AOS interview they wanted the I-94 back. Also, the IO crossed out the K-1 visa and wrote AOS through it. So in my experience, having the passport was necessary.

Did you receive any notices indicating where your file is? If it was transferred to CSC you probably wont have an interview. Otherwise, you probably will. You can get a good idea by studying AOS time lines for your local office as well. Some offices rarely have AOS interviews, others almost always do. For example, my local office is Denver and it seems like everyone ends up with an interview. If you think you'll get one, I would make sure I had my passport.

Passport Canada will give your old passport back if you request it. There is a check box on the application. They gave mine back last time I renewed.

Are they seriously raising the fee to $260?!

[Flames9_RN 358]

Does your passport have your I-94 in it? When I had my AOS interview they wanted the I-94 back. Also, the IO crossed out the K-1 visa and wrote AOS through it. So in my experience, having the passport was necessary.

Did you receive any notices indicating where your file is? If it was transferred to CSC you probably wont have an interview. Otherwise, you probably will. You can get a good idea by studying AOS time lines for your local office as well. Some offices rarely have AOS interviews, others almost always do. For example, my local office is Denver and it seems like everyone ends up with an interview. If you think you'll get one, I would make sure I had my passport.

Passport Canada will give your old passport back if you request it. There is a check box on the application. They gave mine back last time I renewed.

Are they seriously raising the fee to $260?!

I haven't looked into it--but I think 1 has an option of a 5 yr or 10 yr Cdn Passport.....And I think it costs a lot more to get it mailed out of Canada. Someone had posted a link a few weeks back of the new rates

[William33 110]

Hey all,

I'm in the process of waiting for my GC (via K1 and filing for AOS). I got my EAD combo card recently. Now that I can get outta this country, I would like to finally go on our honeymoon cruise before the summer before I start working. But, my passport is close to expiring, June 2013 - luckily before the passport fee hikes up to $260 this July. We haven't booked anything yet, and not sure to get the passport now or after our trip.

With no word from my GC progress, if I sent off my passport for renewal and I got called in for my GC interview... would that be a problem if I was lacking my original passport with my visa stamp? or lacking a passport entirely?

If I filed for a new passport now, would they 100% return my old one if I asked?

Make copies of your current passport and execute the renewal process. If any GC interview issues arise, you have the copies in hand along with copies of any other documentation for renewal of the passport. This will be intuitive to anyone interviewing you for the GC. Conventional wisdom and certain country visa requirements demand a passport beyond 6 months of expiration. Proceed with renewal without concern. Be sure to have copies of the passport and any other relevant documentation.

Edited December 30, 2012 by William33

[awkwardsoul 20]

Does your passport have your I-94 in it? When I had my AOS interview they wanted the I-94 back. Also, the IO crossed out the K-1 visa and wrote AOS through it. So in my experience, having the passport was necessary.

Did you receive any notices indicating where your file is? If it was transferred to CSC you probably wont have an interview. Otherwise, you probably will. You can get a good idea by studying AOS time lines for your local office as well. Some offices rarely have AOS interviews, others almost always do. For example, my local office is Denver and it seems like everyone ends up with an interview. If you think you'll get one, I would make sure I had my passport.

Passport Canada will give your old passport back if you request it. There is a check box on the application. They gave mine back last time I renewed.

Are they seriously raising the fee to $260?!

Here are the new rates for passports http://www.ppt.gc.ca/publications/consultations/index.aspx?lang=eng $260 if you aren't in canada for a 10 yr, 5 yr is $190.

My passport does have my I-94 in it, along with my K1 visa. I've been checking online on the USCIS case status thing and nothing comes up - bleh, I guess I need to call them to see what is going on. I haven't heard anything except my EAD coming in the mail.

[NikLR 13,220]

Since the passports are changing in 2013, I think that is why the price is going up. They're inserting an electronic chip like they already have in the US passports.

Booking a trip in itself is dangerous as you may not be called for your GC interview until then? To be honest if you think your interview will be sooner, then maybe you should.