Passport Validity when entering US using EAD/AP

[vhk2009]

Hi,

Will appreciate if someone can answer these questions

* My passport expires in March 2016 and we are planning a cruise trip to Bahamas this Dec. Is it an issue that I have less than 6 months validity on my passport. I will be using my EAD/AP to reenter.
* My EAD/AP expires in April 2016 do I need to have my passport renewed before applying for EAD/AP renewal.

Sorry if this is in the wrong forum - posting it here for visibility. Thank You all for your responses.

[delguy]

Hi,

Will appreciate if someone can answer these questions

* My passport expires in March 2016 and we are planning a cruise trip to Bahamas this Dec. Is it an issue that I have less than 6 months validity on my passport. I will be using my EAD/AP to reenter.
* My EAD/AP expires in April 2016 do I need to have my passport renewed before applying for EAD/AP renewal.

Sorry if this is in the wrong forum - posting it here for visibility. Thank You all for your responses.

Are you not planning to renew your passport before it expires?

[skpanda]

Not an expert in this..but i had friends who have travelled on EAD/AP with less than 6 months on passport. This was in around 2011. Not sure if rules are same even now.

However, I would strongly recommend that you renew your passport using Tatkal service (you can renew your passport within 12 months of exp date on passport). I have renewed my passport using this service ($150 extra i think), and emailed/called them with information that i was travelling in 3 weeks. Sent them the itenerary etc. Got the new passport in 3 days (including the day i sent). In case you do not get your passport, just ask them to send your passport back.

[vhk2009]

Not an expert in this..but i had friends who have travelled on EAD/AP with less than 6 months on passport. This was in around 2011. Not sure if rules are same even now.

However, I would strongly recommend that you renew your passport using Tatkal service (you can renew your passport within 12 months of exp date on passport). I have renewed my passport using this service ($150 extra i think), and emailed/called them with information that i was travelling in 3 weeks. Sent them the itenerary etc. Got the new passport in 3 days (including the day i sent). In case you do not get your passport, just ask them to send your passport back.

Thanks for your response. I do plan on renewing but did not want to do it now due to the processing time. I was not sure if I would have the passport back in time for the travel .From what I have researched over the net India is one of the countries whose citizens are exempted from the 6 month rule but will try renewing it by tatkal. Thanks again.