passport expiry, travelling to India

[nirmal_kishore]

Hi
My Indian passport expires in July 2011 however my Tier 2 visa is valid till August 2012 and I am travelling to India at the end of April 2011, returning in May 2012 (mid May)

I have a few questions in relation to this:

1. Can I travel to India and return as usual or will I be questioned or stopped at immigration on my way back?

2. If I do want to apply for my passport renewal (I would do this at CGI Birmingham) , is it too early as my current passport is valid for over 3 months?

3. In case I do somehow apply and get my new passport, do I have to get a new Tier 2 stamp in my new passport before I can travel?

Any help and advice will be much appreciated.

Thanks
N

[krazydude]

1. Can I travel to India and return as usual or will I be questioned or stopped at immigration on my way back?

If you do not have a valid passport you will be stopped.

2. If I do want to apply for my passport renewal (I would do this at CGI Birmingham) , is it too early as my current passport is valid for over 3 months?

"A new passport can be issued on the expiry, or up to one year before expiry of any passport which had an initial validity of 10 years" - Source HCI London

3. In case I do somehow apply and get my new passport, do I have to get a new Tier 2 stamp in my new passport before I can travel?

No. Carry your old passport (with visa stamp) and new

[geriatrix]

1. If your employer doesn't inform UKBA of termination of sponsorship and UKBA does not cancel / curtail your Tier 2 leave as a result, then you may return to UK before your current leave expires.
2. You can apply for renewal of passport in the last one year of validity of your passport or within one year after your passport has expired. You can apply for renewal after that (i.e.- after July 2012) but will need to provide additional documentation.
3. Travel with both passports (the old one which contains the visa, and the new one). No problem.