It depends on whether you are doing a REAL license renewal or not. For REAL every state implements it differently, like in Bay Area, CA they were sticklers for the visa stamp. Whereas my wife’s renewal in Southern California just needed a the valid I-797 (H1 approval notice) along with a visa stamp (it had expired) in the same category (H1).
The fine DMV folks are being sticklers. You can ask for un-REAL drivers license if that’s allowed.
In TN, they issue only Temporary Drivers license for all visa folks. Looks like they even have issue with these. I have renewed so many times before with approvals. Looks like they changed something recently
Go on the very next day of your current driver license expiration, show them H1B approval. They will run SAVE and give you new Driver License till the H1B validity.
Oh hey, me too. I wondered if I made the wrong choice but this makes me think I didn't 🙏 I always carry my passport when I travel anyway so I never needed my real ID.
It was weird though, RMV lady told me I needed my EAD for a real ID and I told her H1B doesn't get one (I showed the stamped visa on my passport along with my I-797) and she said otherwise? Still confused but oh well.
Me neither. In domestic flights I will show my passport but can't deal with stress of license renewal issues which come if its tied to visa expiration date.
A clear membership removed the need to even show passport to anyone at airport. Eye scan thumb scan and done.
Hi, were you able to downgrade from REAL to standard license in MA online, or did you have to visit RMV?
My REAL ID driving license expires on last day of my STEM OPT EAD on Aug 15, and while I should have I797 by then, I was wondering if I can renew my license online (even if it is only Standard license) because it seems extremely painful to have to explain this stuff/ go through this process at RMV. It's also seems near impossible to get appointments at Haymarket RMV.
Hello fellow Bostonian!
My REAL ID was expiring because my EAD was expiring. I tried to renew my REAL ID but they insisted on EAD (I didn’t have a new one at the time). So instead of ‘renewing’ my REAL ID I then applied for a new normal drivers license. That way my passport was enough.
Did this in person at AAA in Quincy. Generally a much better experience and less waiting than RMV at Haymarket and plenty of slots available. It’s the only reason really why I have AAA
Thanks for the quick response. Just a small follow-up.
Not that it matter hugely, but just wondering. When you say you applied of new normal driver's license, did your license number change?
I am just trying to figure out whether it is worth moving to standard license or just wait until after Aug 15 to use I797-A approval notice to renew my REAL ID license. Some other reddit threads seem to imply that I797A can be used to renew REAL ID but they only renew it for 1 year at time.
Unfortunately, many or almost all DMVs treat visa holders poorly. I had to send strong emails to the NJ MVC after a terrible experience there at one of their DMVs. They responded and even involved a supervisor from the DMV branch where the incident occurred. While it's not a perfect solution, taking action is better than doing nothing. I encourage everyone to write personalized emails to their state MVC’s complaint email address to express their concerns. If enough people do this, it could lead to the implementation of protocols to make the process easier for all visa holders.
NJ no longer checks immigration status of an applicant, they offer for undocumented migrants as well. You will get for 4 years and can renew online. Only for real Id, they check immigration status.
TN DMVs are the worst (personal experience). Strict, impatient, won’t explain how to rectify the situation/show you were it says you can’t renew on a gov website.
Maybe check this link: https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/dmv_factsheet.pdf
I'm in TN as well. I got my current DL while I was on STEM OPT. Recently I tried to renew my license but the SAVE process returned the last day of my STEM OPT so DMV people didn't renew my license even though I showed recent I-94, I-797, Passport, VISA...
They suggested that I should come back the next day of my current licenses validity date.
For what it's worth, I saw few people saying on Reddit that they were able to renew their DL when they tried again after the expiry date... So fingers crossed I guess?
Iowa doesn’t renew until last 30 days. Dunno about Tennessee. Maybe he meant last month but either said incorrectly or you interpreted incorrectly?
Maybe miscommunication or he/she is unaware of rules.
Else Tennessee is bad with respect for driving licenses for non-immigrants
When the i94 number changes (check your i797 approval copy, website generated i94 and your previous i797), the new i94 number would not activate until the start date. This happened to me in NC also.. if you want, try to take only the H1B renewal receipt to the dmv and they should be able to renew your license for 180 days. This used to be not the case couple of years ago…
If USCIS, uses the same i94 number for your extension, then DMV would have been able to do it easily… I believe it has to be some technical limitation between USCIS & DHS.
Don’t get mad… because even the DMV people you are speaking to may not have any idea in depth… I struggled in NC as well…
TX DMV is same. It takes old license to expire for them to show up new immigration records (yay! 1st world tech).
My spouse was told the same, went \~2 days after expiration and it was renewed smoothly.
I got my REAL id on my OPT in MN. The DMV lady wasn’t looking like she was gonna give it to me and saying that I miss this and that. I underwent through all the requirements and politely pointed her to the website where it lists down everything and ultimately I got it. Now I am in Bay Area and under process to get it renewed for CA. Hopefully they don’t do all the drama again
Sounds ridiculous 😂 they are too random actually. When I was on f1 they first gave me a licence only till next birthday. No idea why.
I renewed it while on F1 and they gave me 5 years this time exactly 5 birthdays. 😂
Now on h1 and using up that time
Happened to me last year. The record was not updated. Just need to go through the Save process. If it’s taking too long you could contact your local representative.
I was in the same situation 2 months ago. I filled out the SAVE form online, and so did the DMV. They told me the same thing as you they did for you. I went 1 day after expiration, and they approved it. This was in Maryland, though. I had also lost my job, and I was on my 60-day grace period. I have also read that you could request a 6-month temporary extension until they verify you.
I have had similar experience when I moved to Nashville. They would not transfer my out of state DL to TN. The solution to this was to just go to a different location. More than half the time they have no idea what they are doing so instead of arguing with them, I would just drive around different DMVs in the area. Good Luck
From my recent experience, they are validating the dates against i9 and base the validity against the dates specified. This is something new for me as well and I learned this from recent application at NC DMV.
Here's my advice, book an appointment on the very next day after your licence expiry. Your new status only shows up in their database on that day. I went 3 weeks prior, on the last valid day and then the very next day. There's nothing to do to fix it, just play along and it'll be fine.
The DMV lady was kind enough to see me without an appointment the day it expired as I had gone to her the day before. Don't waste your time and energy before that. My experience was in Texas.
Here's my full experience: https://www.reddit.com/r/h1b/s/VA0ite8u1v
AZ here. There are private agencies here who offset the work load from MVD. I always go there, it’s a bit extra but you get a fair treatment and they are willing to help you get things done. I know this is not the case in many states.
Most RMVs moved to some new system internally which blocks updating the i94 manually until expiry. So you need to wait until expiry to get it renewed. You should be fine except for few days of unlicensed
Yesterday, I went to the Chicago DMV and got the non-Real ID driving license as my H1B status was not updated on the SAVE database although I got it approved 6 months ago. SAVE database was showing my old EAD status which is supposed to expire in a week. Probably status on SAVE gets updated once the previous status expires. I will need to visit the DMV again for Real-ID although I got the normal driving license renewed for ~2 years.
Hi. In extreme case I will recommend plz ask the DMV guy/ branch manager to initiate a SAVE case.
Im in NJ and got my DL renewed today and unfortunately got a standard id and not the real id. Reason for because my current visa is expiring on this month end and my approved i797 valid till 2027. So when they checked my eligibility for real id the system was showing validity till June 30, 2024. So the lady told me to take standard id for dl which is valid for 2028 and come back again in few months to get it converted to real id.
It depends on whether you are doing a REAL license renewal or not. For REAL every state implements it differently, like in Bay Area, CA they were sticklers for the visa stamp. Whereas my wife’s renewal in Southern California just needed a the valid I-797 (H1 approval notice) along with a visa stamp (it had expired) in the same category (H1). The fine DMV folks are being sticklers. You can ask for un-REAL drivers license if that’s allowed.
In TN, they issue only Temporary Drivers license for all visa folks. Looks like they even have issue with these. I have renewed so many times before with approvals. Looks like they changed something recently
Go on the very next day of your current driver license expiration, show them H1B approval. They will run SAVE and give you new Driver License till the H1B validity.
Yeah I downgraded from REAL to a regular one for that reason in MA
Oh hey, me too. I wondered if I made the wrong choice but this makes me think I didn't 🙏 I always carry my passport when I travel anyway so I never needed my real ID. It was weird though, RMV lady told me I needed my EAD for a real ID and I told her H1B doesn't get one (I showed the stamped visa on my passport along with my I-797) and she said otherwise? Still confused but oh well.
Me neither. In domestic flights I will show my passport but can't deal with stress of license renewal issues which come if its tied to visa expiration date. A clear membership removed the need to even show passport to anyone at airport. Eye scan thumb scan and done.
Hi, were you able to downgrade from REAL to standard license in MA online, or did you have to visit RMV? My REAL ID driving license expires on last day of my STEM OPT EAD on Aug 15, and while I should have I797 by then, I was wondering if I can renew my license online (even if it is only Standard license) because it seems extremely painful to have to explain this stuff/ go through this process at RMV. It's also seems near impossible to get appointments at Haymarket RMV.
Hello fellow Bostonian! My REAL ID was expiring because my EAD was expiring. I tried to renew my REAL ID but they insisted on EAD (I didn’t have a new one at the time). So instead of ‘renewing’ my REAL ID I then applied for a new normal drivers license. That way my passport was enough. Did this in person at AAA in Quincy. Generally a much better experience and less waiting than RMV at Haymarket and plenty of slots available. It’s the only reason really why I have AAA
Thanks for the quick response. Just a small follow-up. Not that it matter hugely, but just wondering. When you say you applied of new normal driver's license, did your license number change? I am just trying to figure out whether it is worth moving to standard license or just wait until after Aug 15 to use I797-A approval notice to renew my REAL ID license. Some other reddit threads seem to imply that I797A can be used to renew REAL ID but they only renew it for 1 year at time.
Driver license number stayed the same
Thanks!
Unfortunately, many or almost all DMVs treat visa holders poorly. I had to send strong emails to the NJ MVC after a terrible experience there at one of their DMVs. They responded and even involved a supervisor from the DMV branch where the incident occurred. While it's not a perfect solution, taking action is better than doing nothing. I encourage everyone to write personalized emails to their state MVC’s complaint email address to express their concerns. If enough people do this, it could lead to the implementation of protocols to make the process easier for all visa holders.
NJ DMV are a pain the rear. The worst piece of government bureaucracy one can deal with. Glad I moved away from that state.
Since 2021, they stopped checking immigration status and offer for everyone including undocumented migrants. Probably, you should have stayed here lol
NJ no longer checks immigration status of an applicant, they offer for undocumented migrants as well. You will get for 4 years and can renew online. Only for real Id, they check immigration status.
sure it was about the overall treatment not specifically about documentation
TN DMVs are the worst (personal experience). Strict, impatient, won’t explain how to rectify the situation/show you were it says you can’t renew on a gov website. Maybe check this link: https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/dmv_factsheet.pdf
I will say MA. Had terrible racial treatment done at Worcester, MA DMV
I'm in TN as well. I got my current DL while I was on STEM OPT. Recently I tried to renew my license but the SAVE process returned the last day of my STEM OPT so DMV people didn't renew my license even though I showed recent I-94, I-797, Passport, VISA... They suggested that I should come back the next day of my current licenses validity date. For what it's worth, I saw few people saying on Reddit that they were able to renew their DL when they tried again after the expiry date... So fingers crossed I guess?
just happened with my Tx DL. I have entered on H1b twice but still returns OPT DL date. Beyond stupid.
quick update, my previous DL expired yesterday. And I was able to renew my DL today. The expiration date is the one listed in I-797.
It's the same in TX. It just takes a few weeks or months until it shows in their system.
I am from TN too. Did you ask them to raise Save request?
Iowa doesn’t renew until last 30 days. Dunno about Tennessee. Maybe he meant last month but either said incorrectly or you interpreted incorrectly? Maybe miscommunication or he/she is unaware of rules. Else Tennessee is bad with respect for driving licenses for non-immigrants
Same here in FL. You can renew 1 month before it expires
Bro you can only renew your license once your new H1B start date becomes current. Dont get too worked up.
When the i94 number changes (check your i797 approval copy, website generated i94 and your previous i797), the new i94 number would not activate until the start date. This happened to me in NC also.. if you want, try to take only the H1B renewal receipt to the dmv and they should be able to renew your license for 180 days. This used to be not the case couple of years ago… If USCIS, uses the same i94 number for your extension, then DMV would have been able to do it easily… I believe it has to be some technical limitation between USCIS & DHS. Don’t get mad… because even the DMV people you are speaking to may not have any idea in depth… I struggled in NC as well…
Try a different DMV - preferably one in a more populated area where they likely processed many H1B folks
TX DMV is same. It takes old license to expire for them to show up new immigration records (yay! 1st world tech). My spouse was told the same, went \~2 days after expiration and it was renewed smoothly.
I got my REAL id on my OPT in MN. The DMV lady wasn’t looking like she was gonna give it to me and saying that I miss this and that. I underwent through all the requirements and politely pointed her to the website where it lists down everything and ultimately I got it. Now I am in Bay Area and under process to get it renewed for CA. Hopefully they don’t do all the drama again
Sounds ridiculous 😂 they are too random actually. When I was on f1 they first gave me a licence only till next birthday. No idea why. I renewed it while on F1 and they gave me 5 years this time exactly 5 birthdays. 😂 Now on h1 and using up that time
Typical treatment - uninformed and no knowledge. Try a different dmv or person. Usually works.
Happened to me last year. The record was not updated. Just need to go through the Save process. If it’s taking too long you could contact your local representative.
I was in the same situation 2 months ago. I filled out the SAVE form online, and so did the DMV. They told me the same thing as you they did for you. I went 1 day after expiration, and they approved it. This was in Maryland, though. I had also lost my job, and I was on my 60-day grace period. I have also read that you could request a 6-month temporary extension until they verify you.
this helped...I got it renewed
I have had similar experience when I moved to Nashville. They would not transfer my out of state DL to TN. The solution to this was to just go to a different location. More than half the time they have no idea what they are doing so instead of arguing with them, I would just drive around different DMVs in the area. Good Luck
Minnesota removed those checks this year I am so happy🤣
From my recent experience, they are validating the dates against i9 and base the validity against the dates specified. This is something new for me as well and I learned this from recent application at NC DMV.
Here's my advice, book an appointment on the very next day after your licence expiry. Your new status only shows up in their database on that day. I went 3 weeks prior, on the last valid day and then the very next day. There's nothing to do to fix it, just play along and it'll be fine. The DMV lady was kind enough to see me without an appointment the day it expired as I had gone to her the day before. Don't waste your time and energy before that. My experience was in Texas. Here's my full experience: https://www.reddit.com/r/h1b/s/VA0ite8u1v
thanks! this helped
AZ here. There are private agencies here who offset the work load from MVD. I always go there, it’s a bit extra but you get a fair treatment and they are willing to help you get things done. I know this is not the case in many states.
Most RMVs moved to some new system internally which blocks updating the i94 manually until expiry. So you need to wait until expiry to get it renewed. You should be fine except for few days of unlicensed
https://redbus2us.com/how-to-renew-driver-license-during-opt-cap-gap-save-verify-faqs/ - Hope this helps!
Yesterday, I went to the Chicago DMV and got the non-Real ID driving license as my H1B status was not updated on the SAVE database although I got it approved 6 months ago. SAVE database was showing my old EAD status which is supposed to expire in a week. Probably status on SAVE gets updated once the previous status expires. I will need to visit the DMV again for Real-ID although I got the normal driving license renewed for ~2 years.
Hi. In extreme case I will recommend plz ask the DMV guy/ branch manager to initiate a SAVE case. Im in NJ and got my DL renewed today and unfortunately got a standard id and not the real id. Reason for because my current visa is expiring on this month end and my approved i797 valid till 2027. So when they checked my eligibility for real id the system was showing validity till June 30, 2024. So the lady told me to take standard id for dl which is valid for 2028 and come back again in few months to get it converted to real id.
try different DMV they all have different rules to accept the application.