Ibrahim Gardner
International students in Massachusetts may need a form of identification in addition to their passport and college ID. International students with an F-1 or J-1 visa are eligible to apply for a standard Massachusetts ID card or driver's license. To apply, students must provide valid immigration documents and proof of a legal stay in the United States for at least 12 months. The application process can be started online, but it must be completed in person at a Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) Service Center.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can apply for a Mass ID? | International students with an F-1 or J-1 visa who have been granted a legal stay in the US for at least 12 months and have at least 30 days remaining in their stay. |
| What type of ID can international students apply for? | REAL ID (valid for federal purposes) or Standard ID (not valid for federal purposes). |
| Where can international students apply for a Mass ID? | Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) in Easthampton, Chicopee, or Springfield. |
| What documents are required? | Valid, verifiable immigration documents, proof of legal stay in the US, and a Social Security Number (SSN) or SSN denial notice. |
| Can international students apply for a Liquor ID? | Yes, but the application cannot be processed online. A temporary Liquor ID will be provided at the RMV Service Center, and a permanent one will be mailed within 5-7 days. |
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What You'll Learn
- International students with an F-1 or J-1 visa are eligible to apply for a Massachusetts driver's license
- International students must apply in person at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV)
- A Social Security Number or denial notice is required for a Massachusetts ID
- International students must provide valid, verifiable immigration documents and proof of a legal stay in the US for at least 12 months
- The validity of an international student's Massachusetts driver's license or ID card will be the same as their remaining length of stay in the US
International students with an F-1 or J-1 visa are eligible to apply for a Massachusetts driver's license
The application process for a Massachusetts driver's license typically involves completing an online application and scheduling an appointment at an RMV Service Center. During the appointment, applicants must present the necessary documents, including those that prove their identity and state residency. It is important to note that the RMV does not accept photocopies, and all documents must be originals.
For international students, the required documents may include a Social Security number or a certified denial letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Additionally, they may need to provide their passport, visa, and Form I-94, which is the "Arrival/Departure Record." It is recommended to wait at least 10 days after arriving in the United States before applying to ensure that the Form I-94 information is updated across government systems.
In some cases, the RMV may need to verify the nonimmigrant student status of international applicants. This verification can be done through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program. It is important for international students to confirm their eligibility and specific document requirements before initiating the application process.
Massachusetts also offers a Massachusetts Identification Card (Mass ID), which is a form of identification separate from a driver's license. International students may consider obtaining a Mass ID in addition to their passport and college ID. The process for obtaining a Mass ID is similar to that of a driver's license, including the requirement to present valid identification documents and proof of residency.
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International students must apply in person at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV)
International students in Massachusetts who are seeking a form of identification other than their passport may apply for a Massachusetts ID (Mass ID). To do so, they must apply in person at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV).
The RMV will issue Mass IDs to those who have been granted a legal stay in the United States for at least 12 months and have at least 30 days remaining in their stay. International students with an F-1 or J-1 visa are eligible to apply for a standard driver's license or ID card, provided they meet the 12-month minimum legal stay requirement and can provide valid, verifiable immigration documents.
The application process for a Mass ID can be initiated online, but it must be completed in person at an RMV Service Center. International students must bring the required identification documents, a completed application, and the applicable fee to the RMV. It is strongly recommended that applicants make an appointment in advance and consult the RMV website for the specific documents they need to bring, as only original documents are accepted.
The type of identification that international students may seek includes a REAL ID, which is valid for federal purposes, or a Standard ID, which is not. A REAL ID is an enhanced version of a driver's license or Mass ID that meets the Federal Security Standard. To obtain a REAL ID, individuals must make an appointment for an in-person visit at an RMV Service Center or AAA branch (if they are members).
It is important to note that a standard driver's license or Mass ID is not accepted for federal purposes. Additionally, the validity of a driver's license or ID card for international students will be the same as their remaining length of stay in the United States.
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A Social Security Number or denial notice is required for a Massachusetts ID
International students and scholars are eligible to apply for a Massachusetts driver's license or state ID, regardless of their I-20 or DS-2019 duration. However, to obtain a Massachusetts ID, you must provide certain identification documents, which vary depending on the credential you want.
To obtain a standard Massachusetts ID (Mass ID), you must make an appointment at an RMV Service Center and present documents proving your identity and state residency. To get a commercial driver's license (CDL) in Massachusetts, you must make an appointment at an RMV Service Center to present documents proving your identity, state residency, and your Social Security Number (SSN) or SSN denial notice with a non-U.S. passport, visa, and I-94.
If you are an international student or dependent not eligible for a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) but wish to apply for a Massachusetts driver’s license or state ID, you will be required to obtain an “SSN Denial Letter” from the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office to include in your application. To request an “SSN Denial Letter,” you must present the following documentation in person at the SSA Office:
- Submit SSN Application: Complete the online application through the Social Security Administration’s website, then download and print a copy of the SSN application receipt confirmation number.
- Passport Identity Pages: Include the pages showing your name, date of birth, passport number, and issue/expiration dates.
- F-1 Entry Visa Stamp/Sticker: Issued by a U.S. Embassy/Consulate abroad. An expired visa sticker/stamp is acceptable.
- Form I-94 Arrival Record: Retrieve and print your most recently issued I-94 record from the CBP website.
- All Issued Forms I-20: Download, print, sign, and date your electronic Forms I-20 in the “Student Attestation” section at the bottom of page 1.
Please note that a REAL ID is an enhanced version of a driver's license or Mass ID that meets the Federal Security Standard for IDs. Individuals 18 and older now need a REAL ID driver’s license or ID card to board domestic flights or enter certain federal facilities. A Massachusetts REAL ID has a star in the top right corner. A standard driver's license or Mass ID is not accepted for these federal purposes.
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International students must provide valid, verifiable immigration documents and proof of a legal stay in the US for at least 12 months
International students in Massachusetts are required to furnish specific documents to apply for a Massachusetts ID (Mass ID) or driver's license. These requirements vary slightly depending on the type of ID being sought and the student's immigration status.
For international students seeking a standard Massachusetts ID, it is necessary to prove identity and state residency. This can be done by presenting a Social Security Number (SSN) or a SSN denial notice along with a non-US passport, visa, and Form I-94. Alternatively, a REAL ID, which is valid for federal purposes, can be obtained. In this case, the requirements are more stringent. International students must provide valid, verifiable immigration documents and proof of a legal stay in the US for at least 12 months. This can include an F-1 or J-1 visa, as well as documentation of their student status, such as Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is responsible for issuing both standard and REAL IDs. While the application process can be initiated online, it must be completed in person at an RMV Service Center. International students should be prepared to present the required identification documents and completed application forms. It is important to note that the RMV does not accept photocopies, and all documents must be originals. The validity of a student's ID or driver's license will be aligned with their remaining length of stay in the United States.
To obtain a driver's license, international students must meet additional requirements. They must first wait 10 days after arriving in the US for their Form I-94 to update. The RMV may also need to verify the student's nonimmigrant status through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program. Additionally, students from countries that signed the 1949 Road Traffic Convention may drive in Massachusetts for one year from their date of entry using their home country's license. However, they must carry their passport, Form I-20 or DS-2019, and a copy of Form I-94 when driving.
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The validity of an international student's Massachusetts driver's license or ID card will be the same as their remaining length of stay in the US
International students in Massachusetts may need a form of identification other than their passport and college ID. International students who have an F-1 or J-1 visa are eligible to apply for a Massachusetts driver's license or ID card. The validity of an international student's Massachusetts driver's license or ID card will be the same as their remaining length of stay in the US. In other words, the license or ID will expire when their legal stay is over.
To apply for a Massachusetts driver's license or ID card, international students must visit the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) in person. They must bring all the required identification documents and a completed application form. The RMV cannot issue a driver's license to anyone who cannot prove their US citizenship or lawful presence in the United States.
International students must provide valid, verifiable immigration documents and proof that they have been granted a legal stay in the United States for at least 12 months. They must also have at least 30 days remaining in their stay in the US. It is recommended that students wait 10 days after arriving in the US to apply for a driver's license so that their Form I-94, "Arrival/Departure Record," information can update in all government systems.
Students with a driver's license from their home country may be able to drive in Massachusetts for one year from the date of their entry, provided their license was issued by a country that signed the Road Traffic Convention of 1949. To drive, students must carry their passport, Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, and a copy of Form I-94 arrival record to document their student status.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can apply for a Massachusetts ID (Mass ID).
To apply for a Mass ID, you need to bring the following documents to a Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) Service Center:
- Required identification documents
- Completed application form
- Fee (varies by location)
No, you cannot complete the process to get a Mass ID online. However, you can fill out the application and answer some questions online to get started.
To be eligible for a standard Mass ID or driver's license, international students need to provide valid, verifiable immigration documents as well as proof that they have been granted a legal stay in the United States for a total of at least 12 months.
Yes, students with a driver's license from their home country can drive in Massachusetts for one year from the date of entry if the license was issued by a country that signed the Road Traffic Convention of 1949.
