Home  Immigration Florida tightens documentary requirements
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Florida tightens documentary requirements |
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Monday, 17 November 2008 |
Effective October 1, 2008, the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) stopped issuing Driver’s Licenses and Renewals to immigrants based solely upon USCIS receipts, such as the I-130, I-140, etc. This means that when a relative files an I-130 family petition for a family member, the receipt can no longer be used to obtain a new or renewed Driver’s License in Florida. Under new requirements:
Immigrants must submit proof of Date of Birth & Social Security Number and: 1) Valid Alien Registration receipt card, (Green card, Form I-551); or 2) I-551 stamp in passport or on I-94; or 3) Immigration Judges Order, granting asylum; or 4) USCIS Notice of Action (I-797), with the customer's A-number, stating the customer has been granted asylum; or 5) USCIS Notice of Action (I-797) or another form from the USCIS, with the customer's A-number, stating the customer's application for Refugee status is approved.
Non-Immigrants studying, working or in special status in the U.S. must submit:
1) Employment authorization card or 2) Proof of nonimmigrant classification (such as H-1B, L-1, etc), unexpired I-94 (Arrival/Departure card) and Passport. Certain classifications require additional documentation, including: F-1 and M-1 students must also bring a current I-20 (issued by the school), J-1/J-2’s must also bring an IAP-66 and Refugees/Asylees/Parolees must be accompanied by additional documentation to prove status.
Visitors: still only need to present a valid passport and unexpired 94 Arrival/Departure card
For additional document requirements, please go online to the DMV website at: www.flhsmv.gov
**Documents must be valid for more than 30 days from the date of issuance. Non-U.S. citizens applying for an original driver license will be issued a 30-day, no photo, paper temporary permit and a receipt. Non-U.S. citizens applying for an identification card will be issued a receipt. All records are transmitted to our database in Tallahassee, where the information will be examined and run against FDLE, FBI and US BCIS databases. Upon identity and legal status verification, a driver’s license or identification card will be issued within 30 days from Tallahassee, mailed to the address on the driver record. The license or identification card will be issued for the period of time specified on the USCIS document, up to a maximum of one year. If in doubt regarding required documents, please bring all of your USCIS documentation with you.).
IMMIGRATION Q&A
Question: I have a Travel Permit valid for 1 year. Can you please tell me exactly how many days can I be outside the U.S. and how many times can I use it to travel?
Answer: There is no specific limit on the number of trips or duration, except, you must return prior to the expiration of the travel permit (advance parole document). Therefore, if your (Form I-512) Advance Parole expiration date is 12/15/2008, you must enter the US on or before 12/14/2008. Remember that adjustment-based residency applications require that you live in the U.S., therefore, it would likely hurt your adjustment of status case if you remain outside during much of time you are waiting for adjustment, unless it is for business purposes which can be documented.
Question: My mom (who lives in Jamaica) has a 10 year visitor’s visa and stayed with us for the past 5 months. Now she is going back home. I want her to be able to come and visit me again soon to help me care for my new baby, how long will she need to be outside US before she can safely come again?
Answer: There is no official time to be outside the US, but to be on the safe side, I usually tell clients to stay outside at least a few months in order to show that there is a residence abroad and the visitor is not working in the US. Also, it is always best if your mom does not stay the whole six months, maybe four months at one time, then go home and come back after a few months.
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