Ibrahim Gardner
If you're an international student in Louisiana, you may want to obtain a state ID for identification purposes. While a Loyola University student ID is sufficient for on-campus activities, a Louisiana state ID is a safer alternative to carrying your passport with you off-campus. To obtain a Louisiana state ID, you must have at least 180 days left on your immigration document, and you'll need to bring certain documents to the OMV, including proof of identity, date of birth, and lawful status.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose of getting a Louisiana state ID | To use as identification instead of carrying a passport |
| When to get a Louisiana state ID | If you will be in New Orleans for more than a year or if your international driving permit is only valid for one year after your arrival |
| Where to get a Louisiana state ID | Louisiana OMV office or FastPass Tag & Title |
| Requirements | At least 180 days left on immigration document, proof of identity, date of birth, and lawful status, proof of residency, and proof of insurance if you own a vehicle |
| Documents to bring | Passport, immigration documents (I-20, DS-2019, or I-797), Social Security Number or ineligibility letter, driver's license from another US state or territory, Germany, South Korea, Switzerland, or Taiwan, or certificate of completion of an approved driver's education course |
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What You'll Learn
Required documents for international students
To obtain a Louisiana state ID, international students must submit the following documents:
- Immigration documents: I-20, DS-2019, or I-797. F-1 students on OPT must present a valid EAD card.
- Social Security Number: If you do not have an SSN, get an ineligibility letter from the Social Security Administration. Bring your passport and immigration documents.
- Proof of Louisiana residence: housing or rental lease, local utility bill in your name, or your school fee bill. REAL ID applications require two separate, original documents each with your name and address as proof of residence.
- Certificate of completion of an approved driver's education course OR a valid, unexpired driver's license from another US state or territory, or from Germany, South Korea, Switzerland, or Taiwan (the OMV has reciprocal agreements with these countries only).
- For full-time students living in Louisiana but maintaining out-of-country permanent residency, copies of your passport, I-20, I-94, and your student ID are required.
- For first-time applicants, you must pass the driver's license examination, consisting of a vision test, general knowledge test, and road skills test.
- If you have a license from another US state or an approved international license, you may only need to pass the vision test.
- If you are under 16, you must have documents presented by a parent or guardian, and their signature.
- If you are 15 or younger, you have the option of a 2-year or 4-year issuance period under the Protect and Save our Children Program.
It is important to note that the requirements and documents needed may vary, and it is recommended to review the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement guidelines before applying for a Louisiana state ID.
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Where to get a Louisiana state ID
As an international student, you have several options for obtaining a Louisiana state ID. Firstly, it is important to note that a Louisiana state ID is not the same as a driver's license; it is simply a form of identification and does not qualify someone to drive.
If you are a first-time applicant, you must apply directly through the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV). You will need to bring various documents, including proof of identity, such as a birth certificate, passport, or other government-issued ID, and proof of address, such as a utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement. Additionally, you will need to provide your Social Security Number or obtain an ineligibility letter from the Social Security Administration if you do not have one.
For international students, specific immigration documents are also required. This includes documents such as I-20, DS-2019, or I-797, and an unexpired passport with at least 180 days remaining before expiration. F-1 students on OPT must present a valid EAD card, and dependents must provide their own immigration documents and those of their primary visa holder.
Once you have gathered the necessary documents, you can visit the OMV to apply for your Louisiana state ID. It is recommended to check the specific requirements and prepare all the required documents beforehand to ensure a smooth application process.
After obtaining your initial state ID, subsequent renewals or replacements can be more conveniently facilitated through private companies such as ABC Title and The Notary Shoppe, which offer faster services and have multiple locations across Louisiana.
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How long does it take to get a Louisiana state ID
International students in Louisiana are advised to carry some form of picture identification with them at all times. While a Loyola University student ID is often sufficient for on-campus activities, a U.S. government-issued identification card is a more practical option than carrying your original passport when off-campus.
To obtain a Louisiana state ID, you must visit your local DMV for the initial issuance. You must have at least 180 days left on your immigration document (I-20, DS-2019, or I-797). F-1 students on OPT must present a valid EAD card. You must also submit a Social Security Number or obtain an ineligibility letter from the Social Security Administration. Proof of Louisiana residence, such as a housing or rental lease, local utility bill, or school fee bill, is also required. REAL ID applications require two separate, original documents, each with your name and address as proof of residence.
The time it takes to obtain a Louisiana state ID may vary depending on the location and efficiency of the specific DMV office. According to some sources, it is possible to obtain a state ID on the same day of application. However, it is recommended to book an appointment in advance to avoid lengthy wait times.
If you already possess a Louisiana driver's license, certain third-party agencies, such as ABC Title, can issue a duplicate or updated address State ID in just a few minutes. However, please note that these agencies may have specific requirements, such as requiring you to have a driver's license on record.
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How long does a Louisiana state ID last
International students in Louisiana are advised to carry some form of picture identification with them at all times. While a student ID from their university is often sufficient for on-campus activities, a US government-issued identification card is a more practical option than carrying a passport. A Louisiana state ID is a useful form of ID for those who are not planning to drive.
To obtain a Louisiana state ID, international students must have at least 180 days left on their immigration document. They must bring the following to the OMV:
- Immigration documents: I-20, DS-2019, or I-797. F-1 students on OPT must present a valid EAD card. Dependents must present their own immigration documents and their primary visa holder's documents.
- Social Security Number: If you do not have an SSN, get an ineligibility letter from the Social Security Administration. Bring your passport and immigration documents.
- Proof of Louisiana residence: housing or rental lease, local utility bill in your name, or your school fee bill.
A Louisiana state ID is valid for four years. After this period, the ID holder must renew their identification card. From May 7, 2025, visitors seeking access to military bases and federal facilities must have a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card.
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When to get a Louisiana state ID
If you are an international student in Louisiana, there are several reasons why you might want to get a Louisiana state ID. Firstly, it is recommended that students always carry some form of picture identification with them, and while a Loyola University student ID may be sufficient for on-campus activities, a state ID is more practical for off-campus identification. Additionally, it is not advisable to carry your passport around with you, so a state ID is a safer alternative.
Secondly, if you plan to stay in Louisiana for more than three months and will be driving, you will need to obtain a Louisiana driver's license. However, if you do not intend to drive, a state ID is a good option for identification purposes.
Thirdly, if you are an international student on an F-1 visa, you may need a state ID to comply with immigration requirements. To obtain a Social Security letter, which is required for employment, you will need either a driver's license or state ID.
Finally, starting from May 7, 2025, visitors aged 18 and older will need a REAL ID-compliant form of identification to access military bases and federal facilities or for any form of travel. A Louisiana state ID can be used for these purposes.
To summarise, while there is no definitive answer to when an international student must get a Louisiana state ID, there are several compelling reasons to obtain one as soon as possible for identification, driving, immigration, and future travel purposes.
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Frequently asked questions
You must have at least 180 days left on your immigration document. You will also need to bring the following documents to the OMV: I-20, DS-2019, or I-797. F-1 students on OPT must present a valid EAD card. If you do not have an SSN, get an ineligibility letter from the Social Security Administration.
You can get a Louisiana state ID from the OMV or FastPass Tag & Title.
A state ID is a safe alternative to carrying your passport with you. It can be used as legal identification for most state and federal purposes, such as boarding domestic flights within the U.S. and accessing secure federal buildings.
If you plan to drive a car or purchase one, you will need to apply for a Louisiana driver's license. If you do not plan to drive in the U.S., getting a Louisiana state ID would be a better option.
