Originally Posted by
worldiswide
I'd be very interested if the expediter comments can be verified. I thought it was sop to separate old and new passport and to have old returned later as you indicate. Does the expediter just wait until he has both in hand before returning to customer? I don't believe there is any way to indicate the need to have both documents on any form.
Reading with interest as my passport has a year left, but going to China in early February, want 10 year visa in new passport, and am considering timing of renewal in Dec Jan time frame. Expedited fees and overnighting seem to make sense and then visa. The consulate is in Chicago so no issues there.
If you need the passport to get a visa, you can ask the Passport Agency to give you the new passport (and also the old one and any passport card in practice) back either the same day or the next business day. You don't have to wait for these items to be sent to you, possibly separately.