New Immigration Bureau regulations: International students apply for a driver's license

New Immigration Bureau regulations: International students apply for a driver's license The U.S. Immigration Service (USCIS) recently issued a new outline for those holding F visas (full-time students), M visas...

New Immigration Bureau regulations: International students apply for a driver's license The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently issued a new outline explaining the regulations for applying for a driver’s license or state identification card for F visa holders (full-time students), M visas (vocational training students), and J visas (exchange students). You will be eligible to apply for a driver's license or state identification card if you currently hold an F, M, or J visa and meet all of the following requirements: Your record in the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS) is "active" and you have waited at least two business days from the "active" date. From the date of entering the United States, you must wait at least 10 days before applying for a driver's license or state identification card; according to regulations, non-immigrant status will not expire for at least 6 months. USCIS expects states to verify applicants' information through the SAVE process. The SAVE program is an intergovernmental database that allows state agencies to check an applicant's immigration status against the Department of Homeland Security's database. Individuals holding an F, M or J visa who want to apply for a driver's license or state identification card need to bring the following materials to their local DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles): Passport with valid visa, Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record), Form I-20 for F or M visa, Form DS-2019 for J visa, Form I-766 for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) if you have one. If your status has changed, bring Notice of Action Form I-797 or Form I-797A. Social Security Number (SSN). If the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies a Social Security number to an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa holder, it should issue a letter denying the SSN, known as SSA – Form L676. If you do not have a Social Security number, you must present this letter when applying for a driver's license or ID card at a DMV office. In addition, accompanying family members are also eligible to apply for a driver's license or state identification card if they can provide current personal identification documents and proof of identity of the primary visa holder. For F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa holders, a Social Security number is not required when applying for a driver’s license or identification card. But in most states, nonimmigrants may need to apply for a Social Security number. On how to apply, follow the instructions on the Social Security Administration (SSA) website at http://www.ssa.gov/. If the name on the F, M or J non-immigrant passport does not match the name on the I-20 or DS?2019 visa form, before going to the DMV, you must modify the I-20 form through the Dean of Student Office (DSO) at your school, or contact the relevant responsible officer (Responsible Officer, RO) to modify the DS-2019 form.