State of Iowa will not issue State ID/DL for K-1 spouse after I-94 Admit Until Date

[Boiler 46,121]

Same in CO you need EAD.

[templeton 120]

Yes, get used to paying driver's license renewal fees. Many states will only issue a driver's license for the duration of your current DOCUMENTED legal status (I understand pending adjustment does count as legal status, but most DMVs don't take that into account). I went and got a DL soon after arriving, and like you, it was only valid until my I-94 expired (had I known, I just would have stuck with my foreign license until I got my EAD). Then had to go back once I had EAD/AP to renew it (and pay the renewal fee again), making it valid for one year.

Then when it expires you will need to go back again to renew it with your conditional green card (and likely pay the renewal fee again), which will extend it another two years. When that expires, you get to go back again with the added stress of hoping someone there understands that the NOA for removal of conditions extends your legal status and allows you to renew for another year (and likely pay the renewal fee again). After that year is up, you go back with your shiny new 10-year card (and likely pay again) to renew it. After that you shouldn't have to worry about it for a while.

Sleep better knowing you've helped a lot more than most towards paving local roads.

[vanessalga 8]

This was very helpful. Thank you. I had never seen this information before.

Question: Has anyone had success with actually using the EAD card (before the Green Card) to get the State ID or DL to be valid again?

I'm in Iowa. I got my drivers license with EAD but it took them a week to 'verify' me in Save. I think because I changed my name (married name) but Save was still linked to my POE name... Anyway, I applied and they told me to call after a week to check. I called, they confirmed I was verified and I got a lincese for the duration of my EAD.

Once I received my 2y conditional green card I went back to renew my license and thought I would get one based on the 2y conditional green card expiration date but they actually gave me a 5y license! No complaints

Edited February 18, 2016 by vanessalga

[Malak&Hemza 4]

Same in Mississippi, because my husband's visa and I-94 had expired they would not allow him to test for his DL, so we must wait until he has his EAD and/or AOS completed. They are real sticklers about this.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Yes.

A Real Limbo Time.

Did somebody say Limbo?

[Amhara 460]

Did somebody say Limbo?

[TomEn 90]

This was very helpful. Thank you. I had never seen this information before.

Question: Has anyone had success with actually using the EAD card (before the Green Card) to get the State ID or DL to be valid again?

Hi there,

Yes i applied for my TX ID with just the EAD/AP combo card. I got it in two weeks in my married name.

[gimbaless 0]

Really appreciate the experiences. I had no idea about this subject but you have all helped many others that will go through this process.

[heo luoi 206]

I think if I understand correctly in the same situation in KS. Couldn't even get a NON driver ID. I contacted they have some rogue obscure SAFE person that trolls an email and cause of the name change and sorts they resisted. I'm hoping when her EAD/AP comes back to see if that absolves their issues. Other thread suggests that dozens of trips to the DMV are in our future.

Edited February 18, 2016 by heo luoi

[3rd 84]

This kerfuffle is exactly why I've delayed bothering applying for my DL. Seems to me it'll be worth my time (and money) to wait until I have a GC in hand. In the meantime it's kinda nice to be chauffeured around!

[Illiria 980]

This isn't the case in California due to AB60, you can get a license without proof of having legal residency. Only need to fill in an extra form and show you are resident in California such as a rental agreement plus ID which can be a foreign passport.

[Amhara 460]

This isn't the case in California due to AB60, you can get a license without proof of having legal residency. Only need to fill in an extra form and show you are resident in California such as a rental agreement plus ID which can be a foreign passport.

Really? I read from other CA residents that they couldn't get one. The other day someone posted that they had waited over 90 days for their EAD and they couldn't get a CA DL/ID. But they also said they couldn't enroll in college without an SSN. I don't know if that's true or not. My husband was able to and many an international student does too...

[Illiria 980]

Most people don't realize they have to fill in an additional form and take it with them or they think it's only for illegal aliens but there is nothing in the wording of the literature or the form that says that. Also I think taking in the form instructions with you to the dmv might be advisable

Edited February 18, 2016 by Illiria

[Boiler 46,121]

Colorado also issues DL's for illegals but they are not for ID.

And nothing theoretically stops anybody else applying for one.

But only a few DMV's handle them and the wait time is looooong. So likely not a lot if use.

[Illiria 980]

Doesn't seem to have been so much of an issue in northern ca, the lines increased last January due to a rush to get one once they started doing it but since then everyone says it is back to normal line wait times, well normal for the dmv ;-)