Your prayers answered.
Hi all unlicenced H4 visa holders,
Rejoice. I was succesful in getting a Drivers Licence for my wife. Here is the link to the website I created after all the frustration I faced
http://vmulla.tripod.com/DMV.htm
Just incase the link doesn't work here is the text.
Thats all the info you need folks.
- Vishnu
Obtaining Drivers’ License / Learner’s Permit for H4 Dependent Visa holders.
It is possible to obtain a driver’s license / learner’s permit from the DMVs across t he country. The information below is specific to the Commonwealth of Virginia; however similar procedures are available for other states too.
You need.
· Birth Certificate with Full Name and date of birth – ORIGINAL
· Passport – ORIGINAL
· Visa showing the H1 of spouse
· Passport of spouse
· Visa of spouse (H1)
· I-797 of spouse
· Driver’s license of spouse
· Letter to DMV (Richmond VA office) requesting ELEVATED REVIEW PROCESS for the H4 holder
· Proof of residence (Lease agreement, phone, electricity, water bill in the H4 holders name)
Request an “Elevated Review Process"
If you are presenting a foreign birth certificate or other document as your documentation. People MUST obtain a translation from their embassy or consulate in the U.S. (so DMV can verify the translation). With this translation (and the original), you must go to DMV and ask to speak with a Manager or Assistant Manager, and say you are there to go through the "elevated review process" (formerly called "exception process"). The Manager will not be able to process the documents themselves, but the Manager should send a fax to Sharon Brown at 804-367-0374 (fax) who will have the documents reviewed. Have your student take this name and fax number with them to DMV. This process will continue in the new year for foreign documents with translations. [Note: These foreign documents will NOT appear on the list of acceptable documents because it's a different kind of review process.
It is important to keep in mind that some of phone numbers are out of date, but the process is essentially the same. Make sure you talk directly to the Manager, DMV clerks are often unaware of this process
The last known valid information for contact is:
Mr. Fernando
DMV Virginia,
Richmond VA
Fax: (804) 367 0374
Elevated Review Process Steps
· Send the copies of the entire above document to Richmond office for Elevated Review Process.
· After reviewing your documents they will send you a letter to submit to your local DMV, you have to present the letter to your DMV within 30 days.
· Take the test and PASS within the 30 days, some DMV clerks can give you the run-around regarding validity dates on the document. So it helps if you pass the written test before the date on the letter expires.
· Its important to keep in mind that the DMV clerks are often not informed about the Elevated Review Process and may question the authenticity of the letter from their own HQ in Richmond. Please have the phone number and extension of the reviewer in Richmond ready, otherwise it might mean one more trip to the DMV.
· My own experience in trying to get a learner’s permit for my wife on H4 was full of obstacles. Uncooperative, under informed clerks do not make it any easier. Good Luck.
Help
· For specific questions, contact Maxine Carter, the specialist for outreach at DMV in Richmond at
dmvmwc@dmv.state.va.us.
· Mr. Fernando, DMV Virgina. Richmond VA, Fax: (804) 367 0374