problem with driving licence

[Archeon 0]

Hi all,

I am a K-1 visa holder, entered america, got married, applied for AOS.

I am now trying to sort out my driving licence in NC, however they are refusing it on the basis that my I-94 has an expiry date on it, making me not a legal resident in their eyes. I also had a chat with the police who, for the sake of my UK driving licence DO consider me a permanent resident.

Has anyone else experienced this, and if so how did you over come it?

Thanks,

Arch

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Both, the DMV and the police are heavily staffed with drones. Drones are idiots who are lazy and want to do as little as possible as their paycheck is always the same and always coming on time, no matter how stupid and lazy they are. Drones is basically are a nice word for lazy idiots. DMV staff is basically among the worst in the country; police are a bit better in that regard.

Until you can prove that you are a resident, you wont' be able to get a US license. You'll be able to prove that you are a resident once you have your Green Card. Until then consider yourself a not-yet-resident and drive with your British license like -- literally -- tens of thousands of people who are in the same position as you are.

Edited July 1, 2010 by Just Bob

[Boiler 45,761]

I needed EAD.

[Archeon 0]

long live bureaucracy...i might just tell the dmv person to do a google search for K-1 visa and realize i am allowed to be there

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Hi all,

I am a K-1 visa holder, entered america, got married, applied for AOS.

I am now trying to sort out my driving licence in NC, however they are refusing it on the basis that my I-94 has an expiry date on it, making me not a legal resident in their eyes. I also had a chat with the police who, for the sake of my UK driving licence DO consider me a permanent resident.

Has anyone else experienced this, and if so how did you over come it?

Thanks,

Arch

Two approaches:

• use your foreign licence till earlier of its expiry (note: dangerous idea, but CAN be gotten-away-with by Canadians, or possibly Mexicans--which you DON't happen to be) OR you have 10-year GC in hand
• wait till you have temp GC in hand, then swap-over (somewhat better--state may however, give you a just-under-2-years expiry licence).

[BRIAN AND ISA 0]

What we did was call the state police and they said that my wife was legally allowed to drive with her Peruvian drivers license until she received her green card and could then get a state issued drivers license. I am willing to bet that will be true for you as well. Good Luck!

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

long live bureaucracy...i might just tell the dmv person to do a google search for K-1 visa and realize i am allowed to be there

Ah but here is the rub...

A K-1 Visa only allows you to enter the US (same for any Visa). The I-94 is what documents your allowed stay in the US (allowed to be here/there part).

What allows you to stay here is marrying a USC but then you still have to AOS to LPR. Just having filed for AOS doesn't make you a LRP, it only extends your I-94 so that you can remain in country during the processing.

My wife entered on CR-1 and Illinois wouldn't issue her a State ID or Learner's Permit until she had a SSN Card in hand as that unrestricted SSN was proof to IL that she was allowed to be here.