Passport Renewal

How to Renew the Passport of a Foreign National while in the US

If your passport is lost or stolen, your government is the only government that can issue or renew your passport. A passport is an official government document that permits the holder to travel to and from his home country. It also verifies the holder’s identity.

Your passport is valid until its expiration date. At that time, it is no longer valid for travel. Therefore, it is wise not to wait until the last minute to renew a passport. Volume can get very heavy during peak travel times. By anticipating the need and taking care of passport renewal in a timely manner, you will reduce your stress.

To renew a foreign passport in the United States, you must go to the consulate of your home country. A passport cannot normally be renewed via the Internet. Older passports are not machine-readable and replacement takes approximately three weeks. The consulate will return an older, still valid passport for the interim upon proof of emergency.

To renew your passport you will need to present the old passport as well as some proof of status such as a green card, employment authorization form or a valid U.S. visa.

To replace a lost or stolen passport, google the website of your home country, i.e.:

+<name of country> +”lost or stolen” +passport +US

You will need two recent passport photos. The photos should be 50x50mm (2×2 inches) with your head in the center of the photograph.

If the renewal is for a passport that expired more than two years ago, you must also provide one of the following: a valid identity card or certificate or declaration of acquisition of nationality, a naturalization certificate or the long-form copy of your birth certificate.

If, after you have appeared at the consulate, you want your passport returned by mail, bring a prepaid (certified or FedEx), self-addressed envelope to give to the consulate.