ShannonJanie

Hey guys,

So, I have been in the US for almost four years now on a student visa and I have just recently realized my passport expires in July next year. As many of you probably know I need at least 6 months on my passport to remain in a positive immigration status.

I have found the forms and everything I need to fill out online with picture info, courier fees etc. But the one thing I'm struggling to find out is if they return your old passport to you?

I don't want to send my passport off with my visa and my I-94 in it if I don't get it back?

Has anyone done this before who could let me know?

Thanks in advance.

Shannon

Jerseygirl

Welcome to BE Shannon.

Worry not...your old passport will be returned to you. You will then need to carry your new and old PP with you when entering the US.

ShannonJanie

Thank you for the welcome! I'm excited to get to know as many as possible.

And thank you, I was sure they would but I assumed knowing for sure would be better.

BritInParis

Don't worry if your old or new passport arrives without the other as they are sent separately; your old passport comes back from Washington, your new passport is sent from the UK. Sometimes there'll be a delay of a few days between receiving both.

md95065

Actually, no you don't, but it is certainly a good idea to plan on renewing your passport before it expires.

Yes they do.

You will get your old passport back, but if it has a paper I-94 in it I would advise you to take it out of your old passport before you send it off since that is actually your proof of legal presence in the US.

Pulaski

Hi S-J, welcome to BE. . Where have you been for the past four years?

ShannonJanie

Thanks for the welcome!

I am currently a student in Oklahoma - and I can't believe I didn't find this site sooner. It probably would have saved me some trouble.

I do have one more question regarding the passport. It says it takes at least 4 weeks, but I'm wondering how long it actually has taken for some of you?

sir_eccles

And also photocopy the visa page.

Pulaski

Sorry, I don't know, I have never renewed a British passport from within the US.

Bob

Timeline thread might help, but it always takes on the longer side of things during Christmas and the run up to the summer holidays.

4-6 weeks does seem like a safe bet though in general.

Captain Cheesestick

Just got mine back and it took 16 days.

ShannonJanie

You guys rock. Thank you!! Hoping to get it off as soon as possible.