Valid H1-B VISA but Passport valid only for 6months

[trt221gnov14]

Hello - I have valid H1-B till Apr'2017. I am travelling to India in August, panning to return in 10 days and my passport expiries in Jan'2016. By the time I return, the passport validity will be less than 6months. Somewhere I read passport should have validity of at least 6months while entering to US. Is that correct?

[wardoma]

Entering US should not be a problem. But when they will give your I-94, they will usually use the passport expiry date since its shorter than the visa, which means your I-94 will now expire on Jan 2016. You will have 2 options then:

1. Renew your H1B before Jan 2016 

2. Renew your passport in US and travel outside the country and return with your new passport before Jan 2016. You can just cross the border to mexico and immediately come back.

 

If you dont like either of the options, then its best to renew your passport before you travel.

[ad2010]

You will get your I94 till your passport end date. This I94 cannot be extended in US. Then you have to renew ur passport and exit and reenter US again.

Best option is to renew your passport using tatkal and then go to India carrying both passports.

[hmaster]

By rule books you should get your new I94 constant with your ppt expiry, but in practice the sometimes give you consistent with what's in your petition, as was the case with me. Worst case you can always mention to the officer that you intend to renew your ppt in the US. 

 

No - as long as you have a valid passport, it can be used - just that you risk a shorter I94 date that all. How can someone deny you entry on a valid passport?  

 

I renewed my ppt in the US it was pretty quick...