Driving License in America without I-94W
Jan 7th 2013, 2:24 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 7
Driving License in America without I-94W
Hi everyone.
I'm curious as to how people are going about getting a US drivers license and if the DMVs in the USA are up to speed on how the I-94W is no longer given in paper format.
All you get now (if like most people from Europe) is a stamp in your passport.
I have looked at all the DMVs for the places I'm going this year and they require I-94W paper to show 'authorised presence' I have every other thing like SSN, and an already expired DL.
Has anyone run into difficulty with this conundrum?
I'd like to think that the DMV is aware that I-94Ws are no longer given when flying in but the cynic in me thinks they'll basically say 'No I-94' no DL
Help!
I'm curious as to how people are going about getting a US drivers license and if the DMVs in the USA are up to speed on how the I-94W is no longer given in paper format.
All you get now (if like most people from Europe) is a stamp in your passport.
I have looked at all the DMVs for the places I'm going this year and they require I-94W paper to show 'authorised presence' I have every other thing like SSN, and an already expired DL.
Has anyone run into difficulty with this conundrum?
I'd like to think that the DMV is aware that I-94Ws are no longer given when flying in but the cynic in me thinks they'll basically say 'No I-94' no DL
Help!
Jan 7th 2013, 2:46 pm
#2
Septicity
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 23,762
Re: Driving License in America without I-94W
Hi everyone.
I'm curious as to how people are going about getting a US drivers license and if the DMVs in the USA are up to speed on how the I-94W is no longer given in paper format.
All you get now (if like most people from Europe) is a stamp in your passport.
I have looked at all the DMVs for the places I'm going this year and they require I-94W paper to show 'authorised presence' I have every other thing like SSN, and an already expired DL.
Has anyone run into difficulty with this conundrum?
I'd like to think that the DMV is aware that I-94Ws are no longer given when flying in but the cynic in me thinks they'll basically say 'No I-94' no DL
Help!
I'm curious as to how people are going about getting a US drivers license and if the DMVs in the USA are up to speed on how the I-94W is no longer given in paper format.
All you get now (if like most people from Europe) is a stamp in your passport.
I have looked at all the DMVs for the places I'm going this year and they require I-94W paper to show 'authorised presence' I have every other thing like SSN, and an already expired DL.
Has anyone run into difficulty with this conundrum?
I'd like to think that the DMV is aware that I-94Ws are no longer given when flying in but the cynic in me thinks they'll basically say 'No I-94' no DL
Help!
Jan 7th 2013, 2:54 pm
#3
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Driving License in America without I-94W
Ditto
Jan 7th 2013, 2:54 pm
#4
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: Berkeley, CA
Posts: 927
Re: Driving License in America without I-94W
For the past few years even before the I-94W was eliminated most state DMVs would not issue drivers' licenses to VWP visitors.
Jan 7th 2013, 4:15 pm
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,759
Re: Driving License in America without I-94W
OP has a SSN... wonder if I-94W was meant?
Jan 7th 2013, 4:24 pm
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: Berkeley, CA
Posts: 927
Re: Driving License in America without I-94W
eh, maybe... I've been in possession of both an I-94W and an SSN at a couple of points in the past.
Jan 7th 2013, 5:59 pm
#7
Grumpy Know-it-all
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Re: Driving License in America without I-94W
Different situation with Canadians though because we can stay longer (we enter as B-1/2), the question they'll ask you is why do you want an I-94W to get a DL when you're only staying 90 days... hmm... maybe you don't have non-immigrant intent.
You need a good explanation as to why you need to obtain state ID.
Also I'd check on the phone with the DMV, just because they have that requirement listed doesn't mean much, it may mean either (a) they don't need to see it or (b) they won't issue a DL even if you have it. Some States won't issue a DL for less than six months so it might say, I-94 is required, but if the I-94 is valid for less than six months it doesn't help you.
If it were me and this was a big deal for some reason, frankly I would apply for a B-1/2 visa.
Jan 7th 2013, 8:05 pm
#8
Septicity
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 23,762
Re: Driving License in America without I-94W
Well I agree on the point that you don't need one, no idea why you would want one. However you can get an I-94W, when you arrive, explain to CBP that you need an I-94W for identity purposes, they send you to secondary and you can get one issued there. It's pretty common for Canadians to have to do this, we don't get an I-94 at all when we enter and various legal things in the US require you to show an admission number. So they print one off and staple it into the passport.
Different situation with Canadians though because we can stay longer (we enter as B-1/2), the question they'll ask you is why do you want an I-94W to get a DL when you're only staying 90 days... hmm... maybe you don't have non-immigrant intent.
You need a good explanation as to why you need to obtain state ID.
Also I'd check on the phone with the DMV, just because they have that requirement listed doesn't mean much, it may mean either (a) they don't need to see it or (b) they won't issue a DL even if you have it. Some States won't issue a DL for less than six months so it might say, I-94 is required, but if the I-94 is valid for less than six months it doesn't help you.
If it were me and this was a big deal for some reason, frankly I would apply for a B-1/2 visa.
Different situation with Canadians though because we can stay longer (we enter as B-1/2), the question they'll ask you is why do you want an I-94W to get a DL when you're only staying 90 days... hmm... maybe you don't have non-immigrant intent.
You need a good explanation as to why you need to obtain state ID.
Also I'd check on the phone with the DMV, just because they have that requirement listed doesn't mean much, it may mean either (a) they don't need to see it or (b) they won't issue a DL even if you have it. Some States won't issue a DL for less than six months so it might say, I-94 is required, but if the I-94 is valid for less than six months it doesn't help you.
If it were me and this was a big deal for some reason, frankly I would apply for a B-1/2 visa.
Jan 8th 2013, 2:17 am
#9
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 7
Re: Driving License in America without I-94W
Immigration intent has nothing to do with DL issue by a DMV so that's a non-starter FB (you really are pbsessed about people and immigration intent).
My deal is whether a DMV is on the ball with the I-94W now being a stamp and if the DMVs have caught up with it or not.
The reason it went to a stamp was because the DHS wanted to save money, but the DMV weren't consulted. However, I'm just wondering what the effect 'on the ground' is...
My deal is whether a DMV is on the ball with the I-94W now being a stamp and if the DMVs have caught up with it or not.
The reason it went to a stamp was because the DHS wanted to save money, but the DMV weren't consulted. However, I'm just wondering what the effect 'on the ground' is...
Jan 8th 2013, 2:19 am
#10
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 7
Re: Driving License in America without I-94W
Well I agree on the point that you don't need one, no idea why you would want one. However you can get an I-94W, when you arrive, explain to CBP that you need an I-94W for identity purposes, they send you to secondary and you can get one issued there. It's pretty common for Canadians to have to do this, we don't get an I-94 at all when we enter and various legal things in the US require you to show an admission number. So they print one off and staple it into the passport.
Different situation with Canadians though because we can stay longer (we enter as B-1/2), the question they'll ask you is why do you want an I-94W to get a DL when you're only staying 90 days... hmm... maybe you don't have non-immigrant intent.
You need a good explanation as to why you need to obtain state ID.
Also I'd check on the phone with the DMV, just because they have that requirement listed doesn't mean much, it may mean either (a) they don't need to see it or (b) they won't issue a DL even if you have it. Some States won't issue a DL for less than six months so it might say, I-94 is required, but if the I-94 is valid for less than six months it doesn't help you.
If it were me and this was a big deal for some reason, frankly I would apply for a B-1/2 visa.
Different situation with Canadians though because we can stay longer (we enter as B-1/2), the question they'll ask you is why do you want an I-94W to get a DL when you're only staying 90 days... hmm... maybe you don't have non-immigrant intent.
You need a good explanation as to why you need to obtain state ID.
Also I'd check on the phone with the DMV, just because they have that requirement listed doesn't mean much, it may mean either (a) they don't need to see it or (b) they won't issue a DL even if you have it. Some States won't issue a DL for less than six months so it might say, I-94 is required, but if the I-94 is valid for less than six months it doesn't help you.
If it were me and this was a big deal for some reason, frankly I would apply for a B-1/2 visa.
Issue for a year is no problem, I'd be leaving at the end of the 3 months anyway. Let it run out when I leave the US.
Jan 8th 2013, 7:28 am
#12
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 4,891
Re: Driving License in America without I-94W
Errr...
Jan 8th 2013, 12:44 pm
#15
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,017
Re: Driving License in America without I-94W
Hi everyone.
I'm curious as to how people are going about getting a US drivers license and if the DMVs in the USA are up to speed on how the I-94W is no longer given in paper format.
All you get now (if like most people from Europe) is a stamp in your passport.
I have looked at all the DMVs for the places I'm going this year and they require I-94W paper to show 'authorised presence' I have every other thing like SSN, and an already expired DL.
Has anyone run into difficulty with this conundrum?
I'd like to think that the DMV is aware that I-94Ws are no longer given when flying in but the cynic in me thinks they'll basically say 'No I-94' no DL
Help!
I'm curious as to how people are going about getting a US drivers license and if the DMVs in the USA are up to speed on how the I-94W is no longer given in paper format.
All you get now (if like most people from Europe) is a stamp in your passport.
I have looked at all the DMVs for the places I'm going this year and they require I-94W paper to show 'authorised presence' I have every other thing like SSN, and an already expired DL.
Has anyone run into difficulty with this conundrum?
I'd like to think that the DMV is aware that I-94Ws are no longer given when flying in but the cynic in me thinks they'll basically say 'No I-94' no DL
Help!
Why do you need a US DL if you are visiting for a few months?