Driver's License in Illinois with a K-1 while waiting EAD and Green Card?

[Pablo y Lauren 1]

Hi!!

This message for everyone that entered the USA with a K1 Visa, got married, got their SSN and then got a Driver's Licence in ILLINOIS.

In my case, I did everything but the Driver's Licence. I went to the DMV in Schamburg, IL and they told me that they can't give me a DL because I need an I-94 with at least 6 months of validity. Everyone that entered the USA with a K1 receive a I-94 for only 90 days.

Unfortunatelly, they weren't very nice and they told me that they can only give me a DV when a get a Green Card.

The problem is that I will receive my EAD in 30 days but my green card will take at least until October 2014. And I need to work! And without a car is impossible to work in the Suburbs.

Can you please tell me your expiriences trying to get a DL in Illinois?

Thanks a lot for your help! I really need it

Cheers

Pablo

[Chemmy 3]

Hello Pablo Y Lauren!

I live in Ohio and have the same problem here. Thanks to 9/11, unless you have a Green Card or EAD card you cannot get a drivers license. Check IL license laws, they may grant one with a EAD card if you applied for one. Don't take the word of some govt bureaucrat that you need a "green card" before you're granted a license. They may not even know what a EAD card is. Do the research, in Ohio law, they need verification of legal presence either through a "green card" or some other USCIS issued document ie: Employment Authorization Card

Cheers!

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from Working and Traveling During US Immigration Forum to Moving Here and Your New Life in America Forum~

~Similar topics are often discussed at this forum~

[NikLR 13,227]

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_x173.pdf]

Your passport works, as will your EAD, plus you need an SSN, and two things from their "group D" like a bank statement and/ or utility bill and/or mail from the federal government with your name and address on it (along with the other examples they give.)

I suggest printing out that sheet, highlighting what you're taking, and presenting all of it at the DMV when you arrive to get your license.

[Pablo y Lauren 1]

Hello Pablo Y Lauren!

I live in Ohio and have the same problem here. Thanks to 9/11, unless you have a Green Card or EAD card you cannot get a drivers license. Check IL license laws, they may grant one with a EAD card if you applied for one. Don't take the word of some govt bureaucrat that you need a "green card" before you're granted a license. They may not even know what a EAD card is. Do the research, in Ohio law, they need verification of legal presence either through a "green card" or some other USCIS issued document ie: Employment Authorization Card

Cheers!

Hi Chemmy! Thanks so much for your answer. I think that I received the word of a govt bureaucrat. The problem was that we has the supervisor, so he had the last word. He didn't say anything about the EAD... he just said to me in a bad way that they will only take care of me when I have my Green Card. As soon as I get my EAD I will go with my wife to get the DL.

Thanks!!

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_x173.pdf]

Your passport works, as will your EAD, plus you need an SSN, and two things from their "group D" like a bank statement and/ or utility bill and/or mail from the federal government with your name and address on it (along with the other examples they give.)

I suggest printing out that sheet, highlighting what you're taking, and presenting all of it at the DMV when you arrive to get your license.

Hi NRL! Thanks so much for your answer but they don't care about that. I have more that what they ask in that page and they refused to give me the DL.

[NikLR 13,227]

Actually you need that list. Says right there you need your EAD before applying. Just because an employee there says you need this or that is irrelevant.

Print off the list for THEIR reference to show you know what you need and have supplied it.

[Pablo y Lauren 1]

Actually you need that list. Says right there you need your EAD before applying. Just because an employee there says you need this or that is irrelevant.

Print off the list for THEIR reference to show you know what you need and have supplied it.

I will do that NRL. Thanks so much for your help!!!

[rjm_cmyk 75]

The K1 I-94 is only valid for 90 days so six months would be a stretch....

Here in California (and I think it's a Federal thing) they will now only issue a driver's permit for the validity of your immigration status. In the case of the I-94 that'll be the 90 days and even then the DMV want to see 60 days+ or they won't issue. You should be good to go on your EAD though. My EAD/AP arrived after my green card so I'm using that and waiting to see if I will need to renew after ROC as the CGC is for two years on a K1.

Seeing how many TLA's I can squeeze in....

[Pablo y Lauren 1]

Hi Everyone!!

I received my EAD yesterday and went right away with my wife to the DMV to get my Driver's Licence.

I let my wife speak to avoid prejudices or any kind of discrimination. We present my EAD, SSN and 2 proofs of recidency and that's it. They didn't even ask for my passport (I had it in my bag with a lot of other documents just in case.... but I didn't want to show my passport to avoid confusions with the K1 Visa that is expired now).

The 2 persons that checked all my documents were very very very nice. I think that it had a lot to do that I went with my wife and I let her speak for me.

They didn't ask anything about my inmigration status.

My DL is valid for 5 years.

Thanks a lot for all your help!!

Cheers!

Pablo

[Marzena & Stephen 544]

On 6/16/2014 at 12:29 AM, NikLR said:

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_x173.pdf]

Your passport works, as will your EAD, plus you need an SSN, and two things from their "group D" like a bank statement and/ or utility bill and/or mail from the federal government with your name and address on it (along with the other examples they give.)

 

I suggest printing out that sheet, highlighting what you're taking, and presenting all of it at the DMV when you arrive to get your license.

 

That list is only for USA citizens they will not accept it. I am going through the hassle as I type. Drivers expires at i94 expiry date and you can't renew it until you get something that has a new date. Apparently work permit will be okay. My i94 expires feb 17 2018and I hope to get a work permit by end of march 2018 with luck.   Between that time I can not drive. 

[NikLR 13,227]

Of course it expires with the I-94. You need to prove legal presence so the I-94, valid of course, or ead. 

 

 k1 sucks for people who are used to some independance.  Since the I-94 expires 90 days after arrival, and the EAD is taking 4-6 months, there will be a period of time a K1 entrant will be unable to drive legally in states that require legal presence documentation. 

Also 2014 thread!! 

Edited January 10, 2018 by NikLR

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

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