Driver's License Extension for H1B Holder

[Pachai_Tamizhan]

My Driver's License expired last month, so I took it to my nearest DMV for renewal,
and got extended it for 3 months, because that's when my current H1B expires. I applied for H1 extension this month and was told that it will take 6 months for approval. In three months my drivers license expires.

Is there anyway I can take my H1B receipt to DMV and ask them to issue a temp license until I get my H1B approval. I won't be able to drive my car after three months. Ironically I complete 6 years by the time My H1 will be approved. My green card is in processing in Atlanta ------------and MY LCA is close. Please help me if any one has gone through this !!!!!!!!

[IndoKiddo]

If nothing works out, get an international DL from either Mexico or one of those agencies man. At leat you can keep driving until you get h1 extension.

[talkative]

I'm in CA. I qualified to renew by mail - they renewed for full 5 years, even though the H1 they have on record has expired (and my current H1 expires next year).

So if you qualify to renew by mail, DO NOT try going in person.

[sotiredofwaiting]

Originally Posted by talkative

I'm in CA. I qualified to renew by mail - they renewed for full 5 years, even though the H1 they have on record has expired (and my current H1 expires next year).

Hey, how does the renewal work exactly in CA? You renew by mail,
but do you have to go somewhere to get your new photo taken?
I still keep the CA licence even though I had to move to PA.

Thanks!

[talkative]

Originally Posted by sotiredofwaiting

Hey, how does the renewal work exactly in CA? You renew by mail,
but do you have to go somewhere to get your new photo taken?
I still keep the CA licence even though I had to move to PA.

Thanks!

No - they use the old photo if you renew by mail. But if your address has changed, you can't renew by mail

[rsaji]

My H1B visa is expiring in October 6th, also my drivers license expires on the same day. H1B extension has been applied two months back, and waiting for approval. My green card is in I140. Does anyone was successful in renewing their license in NJ in such situation ?

[wik]

Originally Posted by IndoKiddo

get an international DL from either Mexico or one of those agencies man. At leat you can keep driving until you get h1 extension.

There's no such thing as an International Drivers License. They are 'permits' which are merely translations of your home country driving license, assuming it is not in English. Many State DMV web sites warn against these so-called 'International Driving Licenses'.

In many states, too, it is illegal to not have applied for a license in that state within a certain number of days of taking up residence there. In the case of California, it's 10 days.

[avididy]

Originally Posted by wik

There's no such thing as an International Drivers License. They are 'permits' which are merely translations of your home country driving license, assuming it is not in English. Many State DMV web sites warn against these so-called 'International Driving Licenses'.

In many states, too, it is illegal to not have applied for a license in that state within a certain number of days of taking up residence there. In the case of California, it's 10 days.

I am waiting for my H1-B extension and my driver license is expiring in the next few weeks. I found the below on the AZ MVD Site. I have an unexpired Indian Driver's License. What do you guys say?

34) What is needed for a person from another country to drive in Arizona?
You may legally drive in Arizona using a valid driver license from another country. An International Driving License or Permit is not required, but is recommended since it can be printed in English, and can be used in conjunction with the driver license from the other country. If an International Driving License or Permit is used alone, it must be issued by a country other than the United States. Vehicle rental companies may have additional requirements.

http://www.azdot.gov/mvd/faqs/script...?section=dl#31

[gmurugan]

Hi:

I got the same problem when I was in Pittsburgh, PA last year. By the time I have 8 month valid visa, so DMV denied my driver's license application even I showed up my H1B receipt notice.

Later I brought a letter from employer that described I have a full-time employment and my present assignment will go more than a year and describing the filing of my H1B for the H1B period and all.

I used this employer letter along with H1B receipt notice to DMV. They accepted and issued the license for 4 more years.

[Pachai_Tamizhan]

Thanks for your valuable suggestions, I'll give a try in every possible way.

Thanks Again
Pachai Tamizhan

[manish_shriv]

I also have similar problem in Ohio, therefore I am not I am not taking ohio license and keeping Michigan license..
Only some states are creating problem, what I can suggest that you can get license from your neighboring state..

good luck

[rkg72]

I have a FL drivers licence and i live in TX. Moved to TX a year and half back coz i got laid off. My H1 expired March 2005 and so did my DL. I applied for AOS (marriage to US citizen ) in march 2005 and I am waiting for my EAD. Is there anyway I can obtain a TX DL on the basis of pending AOS or do I have to wait for my EAD to apply for DL. I got my 765 receipt notice and waiting anxiously for further course of action (fingerprinting,etc) from USCIS.

any inputs.

thanks rkg 72

[Bharatiya]

Hi All,
I just got my license extended for 8 months in New Jersey while my H1 extenion is in process. I don't know the reason but at NJ DMV no one is aware of this situation and they simply deny your application. In Trenton, after much discussion I was able to get it. The process is that you'll have to get a letter from your employer in certain format along with the H1 receipt. The format is given below. It is absolutely necessary to show both the letter and notice. The letter should be on company letterhead. And this possible in only Regional Service Site(RSS), like Trenton. Good Luck.




Date

Motor Vehicle Commission
RSS Site Name
RSS Site Address


I hereby certify that ________________ is currently employed by ____________ and has been employed since ______________.

I certify that, on ______________, I filed an H1B petition extension and application for extension of stay on behalf of this individual (see attached receipt notice from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)).

Pursuant to 8 CFR 274a.12(b)(20), this individual is authorized to continue employment with ____________ for a period not to exceed 240 days beginning on the date of the expiration of the authorized period of stay (as indicated on the immigration documentation).

I further certify that if I receive that the USCIS had denied the application prior to the 240 day period and if <name, Driver license number>, ceases to be employed by ________________ during the 240 day period, I will notify the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC), in writing as soon as practicable. I will send such notice to:

Legal & Regulatory Affairs Unit
Motor Vehicle Commission
PO Box 162
Trenton, NJ 08666-0162



Sincerely,



Signature of
individual certifying
the information

Print Name & Title

[thoppays]

Originally Posted by Bharatiya

Hi All,
I just got my license extended for 8 months in New Jersey while my H1 extenion is in process. I don't know the reason but at NJ DMV no one is aware of this situation and they simply deny your application. In Trenton, after much discussion I was able to get it. The process is that you'll have to get a letter from your employer in certain format along with the H1 receipt. The format is given below. It is absolutely necessary to show both the letter and notice. The letter should be on company letterhead. And this possible in only Regional Service Site(RSS), like Trenton. Good Luck.




Date

Motor Vehicle Commission
RSS Site Name
RSS Site Address


I hereby certify that ________________ is currently employed by ____________ and has been employed since ______________.

I certify that, on ______________, I filed an H1B petition extension and application for extension of stay on behalf of this individual (see attached receipt notice from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)).

Pursuant to 8 CFR 274a.12(b)(20), this individual is authorized to continue employment with ____________ for a period not to exceed 240 days beginning on the date of the expiration of the authorized period of stay (as indicated on the immigration documentation).

I further certify that if I receive that the USCIS had denied the application prior to the 240 day period and if <name, Driver license number>, ceases to be employed by ________________ during the 240 day period, I will notify the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC), in writing as soon as practicable. I will send such notice to:

Legal & Regulatory Affairs Unit
Motor Vehicle Commission
PO Box 162
Trenton, NJ 08666-0162



Sincerely,



Signature of
individual certifying
the information

Print Name & Title

Hi Bharatiya,

Is this the legal procedure you followed or just you got it on your own idea? I'm going to have same situation later this year. I just want to be sure if this works for me too.

Thanks.

[dave74]

Hi,

I went to my Local Jersey City DMV for Extension of DL, the lady just denied that We need valid Visa, i tried at other DMV in Edison and I got it - No Questions Asked - Extention for 8 Months, so by that time, i will get my H1 Approval.

So, Even if somebody got shot down at one DMV, try at other and you might get it, its just not all of them knows the Rules.

Hope this helps.

Thanx,

Dave.

[Cali-H1B]

I am in the same boat as well since my DL (and my wife's DL) and current H1B expires on Oct 15. I cannot apply for H1B extension yet since I will be out of country on a business trip. I am coming back 20 days before the expiration date so even if I apply the day I return (which I will as suggested by lawyer) I cannot get the approval in 20 days.

CA DMV will not renew until I get the new approved I-797. You cannot renew online unless you get a letter from DMV with a Renewal Identification Number which I didn't get.

I am requesting my employer to renew with premium processing which is the only way my lawyer and I think we can get the 797 approval and DL by my Oct 15 expiry date. Hope my employer agrees to it.

[jk5598224]

Originally Posted by Cali-H1B

I am in the same boat as well since my DL (and my wife's DL) and current H1B expires on Oct 15. I cannot apply for H1B extension yet since I will be out of country on a business trip. I am coming back 20 days before the expiration date so even if I apply the day I return (which I will as suggested by lawyer) I cannot get the approval in 20 days.

CA DMV will not renew until I get the new approved I-797. You cannot renew online unless you get a letter from DMV with a Renewal Identification Number which I didn't get.

I am requesting my employer to renew with premium processing which is the only way my lawyer and I think we can get the 797 approval and DL by my Oct 15 expiry date. Hope my employer agrees to it.

In the interim you might look into CA form DL 410 FO, renewal by mail. Unless you already received refusual in person. Worth a shot at least IMO...