International Students: Getting A Real Id License

International students in the US may be eligible to obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, which will be required for certain activities, such as boarding domestic flights, from May 2025. The eligibility and documentation requirements for obtaining a REAL ID driver's license vary slightly by state, but generally, international students on F1, J1, or M1 visas are eligible to obtain a driver's license in the state where they reside during their studies. To apply for a REAL ID driver's license, international students may need to provide various documents, including proof of residency, identity, and lawful status. Some states may also require students to present an unexpired foreign passport with a valid US visa and an I-94 indicating temporary evidence of permanent residence. It is important to note that REAL ID cards are not accepted for international travel or border crossings.

International students can get a Real ID driver's license

International students can obtain a Real ID driver's license in the US. The process and requirements may vary across states, but some general guidelines and eligibility criteria apply. Firstly, it's important to note that until full enforcement of the REAL ID Act begins on May 7, 2025, federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA), will continue to accept all state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards from compliant and non-compliant states for domestic air travel and accessing federal facilities.

That said, starting May 7, 2025, the REAL ID Act will be fully enforced, and only REAL ID-compliant licenses or other acceptable forms of identification will be accepted for boarding commercial aircraft within the US, entering certain federal facilities, and accessing nuclear power plants. International students intending to obtain a Real ID driver's license should be aware of this upcoming deadline and the associated requirements.

To be eligible for a Real ID driver's license as an international student, you must be lawfully present in the US and have a valid non-US citizen status. The specific documents required may vary by state, but generally, you will need to provide proof of your identity, age, and residency in the state. Here are some common documents that may be requested:

• Proof of Identity and Age: A valid passport is typically the primary document used to prove your identity and age.
• Proof of Lawful Presence: This can include an unexpired Employment Authorization Card (EAD) issued by DHS, Form I-766 or Form I-668B, a valid unexpired Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), or an unexpired foreign passport with a valid US visa and an I-94 indicating temporary evidence of permanent residence.
• Proof of Residency: You will need to provide two different types of documents showing your residency in the state, such as a tuition bill and rental lease agreement or a bank statement and tuition bill. These documents must contain your full name and a residential address in the state.
• Additional Documentation: Some states may require additional documentation, such as proof of your Social Security number or multiple proofs of your address. Check with your state's driver's licensing agency for specific requirements.

It's important to note that some states may have specific waiting periods or recommendations for new international students before they can apply for a driver's license. Additionally, the length of time an international driving permit (IDP) is accepted can vary from state to state, and some states may require international students to take and pass knowledge and road tests. Therefore, it is always recommended to check with your state's specific guidelines and requirements for obtaining a Real ID driver's license as an international student.

Required documents for the application

International students on an F1, J1, or M1 visa are eligible to obtain a driver's license in the US state where they reside during their studies. When applying for a driver's license, international students can request a Real ID. To obtain a Real ID driver's license, you must present certain documents to prove your identity, age, and residency. While the specific documents required may vary by state, here is a general list of what you will need:

• Proof of Identity and Age: A valid passport is typically the best document to prove your identity and age. However, other acceptable documents may include an electronic Form I-94, your F-1, J-1, or M-1 student visa (even if expired), or an original copy of your signed Form I-20 (for F1 and M1 students) or Form DS-2019 (for J1 students).
• Proof of Lawful Status: This can include your employment authorization document (EAD) if you are on OPT or STEM OPT or other relevant documents as per your state's requirements.
• Proof of Social Security Number: You will need to provide your Social Security Number. Acceptable documents to prove this include a pay stub with your name and SSN or other documents as specified by your state.
• Proof of Address: You will need to provide two proofs of your address in the state. This can include documents such as a tuition bill, rental lease agreement, or bank statement, ensuring they contain your full name and residential address.

It is important to note that all documents presented must be valid, original, and current. Photocopies or images from a cellphone are typically not accepted. Additionally, some states may have additional requirements, so it is recommended to check with your state's driver's licensing agency website for specific instructions and requirements before submitting your application.

Proving identity and age

International students on an F1, J1, or M1 visa are eligible to obtain a driver's license in the US state where they reside during their studies. The process of obtaining a Real ID and the required documents vary from state to state. Therefore, it is advisable to check the website of your state's driver's licensing agency for specific requirements.

To prove your identity and age when applying for a Real ID driver's license as an international student, you must provide a valid passport. Additionally, you may be required to present documents verifying that you entered the United States legally. These documents may include:

• An original copy of your signed Form I-20 (for F1 and M1 students) or a signed Form DS-2019 (for J1 students)
• Your electronic Form I-94, obtained from the US Customs and Border Protection website
• Your F-1, J-1, or M-1 student visa (expired visas are acceptable)
• Your employment authorization document (EAD) if you are on OPT or STEM OPT

Furthermore, to obtain a Real ID, you will need to provide proof of residency in the state. This can include documents such as your tuition bill, rental lease agreement, or bank statement, which must contain your full name and a residential address located in the state.

State-specific requirements

International students in the US on an F1, J1, or M1 visa are eligible to obtain a driver's license. Driver's licenses are issued at the state level, and the name of the issuing state agency varies from state to state. For example, some states, like New York and California, call this agency the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), while Texas calls it the Department of Public Safety (DPS).

When applying for a driver's license as an international student, you can request a Real ID, which is a federally compliant form of identification. To obtain a Real ID, you must provide documentation showing:

• Full Legal Name
• Date of Birth
• Social Security Number
• Two Proofs of Address of Principal Residence
• Lawful Status

In addition to these standard requirements, some states may impose additional criteria. For example, international students intending to obtain a Real ID driver's license should be prepared to present two different types of documents showing proof of their residency in the state. These documents must contain the applicant's full name and a residential address located in the state. Acceptable documents include a tuition bill, rental lease agreement, bank statement, or passport.

Furthermore, most states require foreign persons to provide documents verifying that they entered the United States legally. International students can satisfy this requirement by providing specific forms, such as Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, depending on their visa type. It is recommended that new international students wait until their SEVIS record has been updated before applying for a driver's license.

Real ID cards cannot be used for international travel

International students in the US on an F1, J1, or M1 visa are eligible to obtain a driver's license in the US state where they reside during their studies. When applying for a driver's license, international students can request a Real ID. This is a plastic card with a star symbol in the top right corner, showing that it is federally compliant.

However, it is important to note that Real ID cards cannot be used for international travel. This includes border crossings into Canada or Mexico, other international travel, and international sea cruise travel. For international travel, a passport is required.

Until full enforcement of REAL ID begins on May 7, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its component agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at its airport security checkpoints, will continue to accept all state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards for identification purposes, regardless of whether they are issued by compliant or non-compliant states. After this date, a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification will be required for boarding commercial aircraft and accessing federal facilities and nuclear power plants.

It is worth noting that Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs) issued by Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards and will be accepted for official REAL ID purposes. Additionally, a U.S. passport or passport card may be used instead of a REAL ID card for domestic travel and accessing federal facilities.

Frequently asked questions