Can a passport renewal be applied while H1B ext is in process.

Hi,

My H1 B visa expires on Nov 2013(only 1 year of the six year cap used). My employer has already filed for the extension on August 26th, 2013. I have seen that these days the average time to process an H1B extension application is about 5-6 months. Meanwhile my passport expires on July 2014. I have two questions:

  1. Does the USCIS take into account the passport expiry date while making a decision on the H1 B extension processing?

  2. Meanhile, can i get my passport renewed here in the US(Indian embassy) while my H1 B petition extension is in progress.

Note: I am currently in the US and do not plan to travel to India before my H1 B extension decision.

  1. That’s not a problem

  2. U can get it renewed meanwhile