Need to provide "Passport with valid B1/B2 visa"

[Dezireless]

I recently received a message like the one below after my wife's visa interview in Guangzhou. She studied in the USA on a student (B1) visa.

 

The thing is, they are asking me for something I am unable to give them: "Passport with valid B1/B2 visa". First of all, they already have her passport, although it is a new one and does not have the B1 visa. However, the wording of this really is strange. It says VALID B1/B2 visa, and her visas in her old passport are expired, so I am unable to provide a VALID B1/B2 visa, nor could I as they already have her new passport.

 

Does anybody know what is going on here and how I should proceed?

 

Thanks sincerely!

-Josh

 

Dear Applicants, /尊敬的申请人，

Under the section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Consulate General is unable to issue you an immigrant visa at this time. If you have already submitted your passport to the Consulate General, we will keep your passport with your file pending the issuance of your visa. Further consideration will be given to your visa application after you meet the following requirement(s):
根据移民国籍法案221(g)条款，本馆目前不能批准你的移民签证。如果你的护照已经提交至本馆，本馆将会保留你的护照及档案，直至签证批准。在你达到以下要求后，我们将对你的签证申请作进一步的考虑：

REQUESTED DOCUMENT(S): /必须提交的材料：

• For All Applicants: Please see the attachment.
全部申请人：请看附件。

• For All Applicants: Please see the attachment.
全部申请人：请看附件。

• Passport with valid B1/B2 visa
请提交有有效B1/B2签证的护照。

HOW TO SUBMIT DOCUMENTS: /如何补交材料：

Our authorized contractor provides a number of services to visa applicants. If you haven’t already done so, please follow the instructions at http://ustraveldocs.com/cn/cn-iv-documentdelivery.aspto select a document delivery address.
我们授权合约商为签证申请人提供一系列的签证服务。如果你从未登陆网站http://ustraveldocs.com/cn/cn-iv-documentdelivery.asp 选择文件送达地址，请根据此网站的指引选择文件送达地址。

Please submit the above documents and this letter through authorized contractor’s designated agent CITIC Bank unless you are required to submit documents through email or return to the Consulate. For instructions on how to submit the required documents, please refer to the “Application Pending Further Action” page in the Immigrant Visa Section of http://ustraveldocs.com/cn/cn-iv-visaapplyinfo.asp.
请通过授权合约商指定的中信银行提交以上材料及此信，除非你被要求通过电子邮件提交材料或回本馆。关于提交材料的指引，请参照网站http://ustraveldocs.com/cn/cn-iv-visaapplyinfo.asp 移民签证信息页面上“需进一步处理的申请”。

[Randy W]

Why not simply provide them with the old passport?

 

If you don't have the passport, tell them so. It's unclear why they would want to see it, but I don't see why you would be concerned about the wording.

If you know the approximate date the old visa expired, tell them. They may simply want to make sure it is canceled.

 

They generally won't keep a current passport unless they are ready to issue the visa, so you might also point out that her current passport was already turned in.

 

My guess is that the old visa IS still valid, and that she'll get it back 'Canceled'.

Edited May 4, 2018 by Randy W (see edit history)

[dnoblett]

B1/B2 visas can be valid for 10 years after issue they do not expire with the passport, the consulate wants the old passport with visa so they can cancle the visa since it is no longer needed after traveling to the states using an immigrant visa.

 

For example my passport is about 5 years old and will expire 5 years from now, If I were to apply for a 10 year multi use visit visa for China and then renew my passport 5 years from now, when traveling to China I would carry both the new and old passports when visiting China the visa in the old passport is still valid.