Getting an ID card and driving permit while waiting for AOS approval

[MissKate24 0]

Hi guys,

I have applied today for the AOS based on my K-1 fiance visa. I am currently living in Texas with my hubby and am not too eager on waiting for all this AOS stuff getting through...

I tried calling DMV today to request a stateside ID card and a permit to drive (yes, I am not a driver yet and never had a license). They said I have to get my EAD first prior to requesting my id card and a permit to drive. Without this ID card I cant exactly get on my husband's bank account as the bank refuses to do so without a valid ID issued in the States. I also cant really learn how to drive (besides the neighbourhood) because I wont have this permit to drive.

Does anyone else have experience with that in Texas? Such a waste of time waiting all these months for the docs to be reviewed...

Also, a company that I used to work for in Europe has an office closeby to where I live and they are willing to hire me the moment I get all docs arranged. Is the letter from the company possibly going to expedite the AOS approval? I have already sent my AOS package but I just spoke to the USCIS rep and she mentioned I could send additional info by fax for USCIS to figure out if can be expedited or not.

Thanks in advance for any tips!

[LiLMermaid 2]

A job offer won't expediate your AOS but it may possibly expediate your EAD. Its worth a shot even if it goes nowhere. As for the drivers license....alot of states are like that, many have had issues and there isn't a thing you can do about it. Many have had to wait for their EAD and then go back later because the license issued was only for the length that the EAD is valid.

I am waiting for my EAD to arrive as well so I can get a US license. As for the banking, my husband was able to add me to his account years ago when I was here on a visit with no issues. Bank of America is good for that. Yet now that we are married they won't let me change my name until I have some sort of Gov't issued ID. Marriage certificate was not enough for them.

[Seraya-Karl 0]

We are also in Texas, and what we did was get a "Non-resident Commercial" license. It's only good for 2 months, but maybe you will have your EAD by then. If not, you might be able to renew. It only costs $26. The down side is that you have to take the commercial written test (but only the part about cars, not trucks)after passing the regular written and road tests.

After her green card came, she was able to renew it in September without any more testing, although the license expired in March. Now she has a regular 5 year commercial license. So I guess she drive a taxi.

Best of luck.

[slangofoil 50]

At least you're not in VA, where they just announced last week that they're no longer accepting the EAD as proof of legal presence. So now you have to wait for the GC before you can get a DL.