Got yellow slip Mumbai H1B restamping - damaged passport

[aryabhatta]

Hi,

I have been in the US for past 7 years. I came to India this week for personal visit and scheduled my H1B renewal at Mumbai consulate. The consular told me that my Visa is approved BUT... my Passport is damaged. As soon as I get a new passport, they will stamp the visa.

My original passport was from Mumbai. I currently live in Raipur C.G. Last time I came to India was 1.5 years ago, so I don't have any current or permanent address (my parents do) in India.

I went to the passport office and they told me 2 scary things

1. Since mine is a damaged passport case, it will take me 30 business days minimum to get a new passport, as I have to go through normal process and cannot do tatkal. Is that true?

2. Since I have not lived in the India for past 1 year, my police verification will happen in the US, so it will add additional overhead with no time bound :(. Is that true? Why can't I just use my father's permanent address to apply for the new passport and not mention that I live in the US?

My HR suggested me to apply in the US Indian Embassy, but it's also not so easy due many factors, but possible. But regardless, this will take me 4-6 weeks to get me the passport if I applied in the Indian Embassy in the US.

Please suggest what should I do? How can I get a new passport soon (2-4 weeks max) ?

Thanks!

[wiweq]

"Is that true? Why can't I just use my father's permanent address to apply for the new passport and not mention that I live in the US?"

=> Are you looking for suggestions for providing false information? Do you do the same practices in USA too? Go with the passport officer, they know better. File an RTI to know dipper truth.

It's seems logical that your last one year police verification cannot be done in India as you were not there, getting police verification is easier in India providing Indian police ask them timely and accurately what they want. ATB.