Passport question

[JoeMc 151]

Not quite sure what the best/proper way to proceed is...

 

Brief background...

 

Had an RFE that delayed the approval of the I-129F) by a few months. We are currently in transit from the NVC.

 

The extra few months mean that her current passport will now expire approximately 6 to 7 months after the visa issuance date (assuming everything else goes without a hitch).

 

Additional things..

• We already completed the DS-160 (using her current passport).
• She is currently travelling out of the country. (Fiance cannot start the process to renew her current passport until she returns to China in two or three weeks.)

 

We do not have our P3. But, looking at documents here I see that you need the passport to be valid for travel for 8 months after visa issuance date.

 

I know that I have seen other posts about renewing a passport before the interview (and bringing both old and new passports to the interview). But, I am wondering if they will accept the P3 if her current passport expires in less than 8 months.

 

We understand that fiance needs to renew her passport when she returns to China. I am not sure how long that takes. One site I found on Google suggested that it took approximately 3 weeks?  

 

I am trying to do this the best way possible to minimize delays...

 

When she returns to China can she reply to the P3 with her current passport and then send it (the passport) to get renewed while waiting for P4? Then, bring both (old and new) passport to the medical and interview? (If we do this would we need to redo the DS-160 with the new passport number. Or, is this something they can update during the interview?)

Or.... Does she need to renew the passport before replying to P3? If so, do we need to do the DS-160 again with the new passport?

 

 

 

[Celie 793]

11 minutes ago, JoeMc said:

Not quite sure what the best/proper way to proceed is...

 

Brief background...

 

Had an RFE that delayed the approval of the I-129F) by a few months. We are currently in transit from the NVC.

 

 

In other cases I've seen them approve pending the passport renewal so they leave the case in AP until the new passport is received before issuing the visa, but I have also heard China can be particular. I'm not sure but your best bet might be to update her passport before requesting or scheduling the interview, just to be safe. At least once she has requested it, if they tell her she will get it in 3 weeks now you know to schedule your interview at least 4 weeks out.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Renew her Chinese passport ASAP. Only the Lord know how long it will take the Chinese Exit and Entry Administration, Ministry of Public Security to produce a new passport... I am sure at least several spools of red tape and lots of red ink seals.... Take both the old and new passport to any interview(s). Make the GUZ consulate aware of the updating of her passport via email. I would also write a letter briefly explaining  the circumstances of the passport change as you have described here. Be sure to make several photocopies of the bio page of the new passport. It wouldn't be a bad idea to include a copy of the new passport bio page with your letter to the GUZ IO, and also likely send a copy to your USCIS Service Center. Be sure to reference your DOS casefile number and your USCIS receipt number in your letter. Contact the GUZ IV unit and inquire how they would prefer to receive this document update.

 

Good luck on your immigration journey.

Edited June 28, 2019 by Pitaya (火龙果)

[visafrompa 9]

My fiance got a new passport (she never traveled before) in less than two weeks.  This was in Shenyang.   I would assume that lower tiered cities would take longer, while Tier 1/2 should get that done quick.