check and fix your passports

[just_do_it]

just a word of advice to prospective students.

Please make sure your names are correct on your passports i.e. you have a first name and a last name. Even though Indian passports allow you to have your entire name in the given name field and leave the last name field empty (it's stupid), it becomes a royal mess when you come to canada because everything in canada requires a last name. so your id's will be mish mash of weird format.

for e.g. i have been seeing cases where a name on a passport such as:

given Name= Happy singh
surname= * blank *

is being setup in canada as:
First Name= Happy singh
Last Name= Happy singh

which is ridiculous. So to avoid this stupidity early on (or you will have to stick with this format untill after you get your PR), fix your passports ahead of time.

 

[mayank_6]

Thank God I have fixed the exact same thing recently and got my Re-issued PP withing 3 Working days

 

[prathapg86]

My Passport says - Give Name (my Full name ) - Arun Prathap and for Sur name - My dads name... will that be ok?? How exactly I should change it....

PS - My passport Expires in 2014... But where if I get the Visa... How will it work?? till my passport expires or now itself I can renew it..

 

[just_do_it]

My Passport says - Give Name (my Full name ) - Arun Prathap and for Sur name - My dads name... will that be ok?? How exactly I should change it....

PS - My passport Expires in 2014... But where if I get the Visa... How will it work?? till my passport expires or now itself I can renew it..

Why would they put your dad's name as your surname? Are Indian passport dept clerks really that stupid? or is it how people fill out forms?

You should change it so the given name is your name and surname is your last name. so if you first name is Arun and your surname (that you get from your father) is Prathap, than that's how it should be on your passport.

Trust me, it will save you a lot of issues when you get to Canada.

Your passport is your primary ID in canada and all your future ID's will be based on your name on your passport.

 

[prathapg86]

Why would they put your dad's name as your surname? Are Indian passport dept clerks really that stupid? or is it how people fill out forms?

You should change it so the given name is your name and surname is your last name. so if you first name is Arun and your surname (that you get from your father) is Prathap, than that's how it should be on your passport.

Trust me, it will save you a lot of issues when you get to Canada.

Your passport is your primary ID in canada and all your future ID's will be based on your name on your passport.

Dude... As being a south indian we dont follow the surname... So it was added to me as Arun Prathap+(My dads name) So how do you suggest now??? Even my college admission letter says Arun prathap + my dads name... Can I ask them to change that aswell??

 

[aamro1992]

This is such a valuable advice. I was about to post a similar thread. Saves you from a lot of trouble

 

[sandhuboy]

just a word of advice to prospective students.

Please make sure your names are correct on your passports i.e. you have a first name and a last name. Even though Indian passports allow you to have your entire name in the given name field and leave the last name field empty (it's stupid), it becomes a royal mess when you come to canada because everything in canada requires a last name. so your id's will be mish mash of weird format.

for e.g. i have been seeing cases where a name on a passport such as:

given Name= Happy singh
surname= * blank *

is being setup in canada as:
First Name= Happy singh
Last Name= Happy singh

which is ridiculous. So to avoid this stupidity early on (or you will have to stick with this format untill after you get your PR), fix your passports ahead of time.

hi i have same thing on my PASSPORT
Given name-Gursharanjot Singh
Surname-blank
what shoud i do i m going to apply this mouth.i apply for GIC and university with same passport .suggest me what shoud i do.

 

[just_do_it]

hi i have same thing on my PASSPORT
Given name-Gursharanjot Singh
Surname-blank
what shoud i do i m going to apply this mouth.i apply for GIC and university with same passport .suggest me what shoud i do.

If you already have started the process, then just stick with what you have. Nothing you can do at this point.

Just curious, when you applied for the passport, did you fill out the form like that? i mean left the surname blank?

why not use Singh as the surname if you do not have one?

Its irrelevant but in Canada, you cant do without a surname. So perhaps others who have not started the process yet can benefit from this advice.

 

[just_do_it]

Dude... As being a south indian we dont follow the surname... So it was added to me as Arun Prathap+(My dads name) So how do you suggest now??? Even my college admission letter says Arun prathap + my dads name... Can I ask them to change that aswell??

In that case, just use what you have. Not having a surname is a bigger issue than having one with your dad's name on it.
Just out of curiosity, does that make your entire name really long? That could be a problem to since most social service databases in canada have a limit on name fields. Imagine them trying to fit your entire name on a drivers license or a health insurance card. See where i'm going with this? When they are unable to fir the name, the clerks will do weird things and that can cause issues in the future.

for e.g. when i got my ID's back in the day, they could only fit 3 characters in the middle name. So my middle name became 'SIN" instead of "SINGH". Now its SIN on my PR card and every ID i have whereas my pasport says SINGH. Try explaining that to the border guards when you try to enter canada.

I had to especially ask for my middle name to be corrected on my citizenship card and i had to prove it.

 

[dipta]

Is there any problem if mother's name spelling is different in passport and educational certificate?

any information about it will be appreciated.

 

[hell911]

given Name= Happy singh
surname= * blank *

is being setup in canada as:
First Name= Happy singh
Last Name= Happy singh

damn, my passport have same issue as this.

how long does it take to fix this issue?

 

[mayank_6]

Apply under tatkal mode and u will get it in 3 working days... Cost 3500 /- Tell the passport officers that its Name Bifercation. and not Name change

 

[prathapg86]

In that case, just use what you have. Not having a surname is a bigger issue than having one with your dad's name on it.
Just out of curiosity, does that make your entire name really long? That could be a problem to since most social service databases in canada have a limit on name fields. Imagine them trying to fit your entire name on a drivers license or a health insurance card. See where i'm going with this? When they are unable to fir the name, the clerks will do weird things and that can cause issues in the future.

for e.g. when i got my ID's back in the day, they could only fit 3 characters in the middle name. So my middle name became 'SIN" instead of "SINGH". Now its SIN on my PR card and every ID i have whereas my pasport says SINGH. Try explaining that to the border guards when you try to enter canada.

I had to especially ask for my middle name to be corrected on my citizenship card and i had to prove it.

Dude my name will be pretty long... "Arun Prathap Govindarajan"..So what do you suggest.. I should go by just Arun as first name and Prathap as second/Surname? But ill b missing my dads name in that case?

 

[chaitnay7777]

just_do_it..dude u r doing a great help to all future students who are comming to canada by posting these types of post....my question is i will be applying for sep 13 intake for 2 yr progrm and my passport expires in jan 16...so will this creat a problem in getting permit after study...also i went to dubai in 2008 with family..so i have a visa of UAE...will this effect me in getting student visa???????

 

[just_do_it]

Dude my name will be pretty long... "Arun Prathap Govindarajan"..So what do you suggest.. I should go by just Arun as first name and Prathap as second/Surname? But ill b missing my dads name in that case?

is that the name you have on your school records and stuff? You would want to keep it consistent.

If so, its fine as long as you have A lastname. The issue is more with those who do not have a last name on their passports.