Thank you - visa approved at Tokyo embassy
#16
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: Thank you - visa approved at Tokyo embassy
Ian
#17
Re: Thank you - visa approved at Tokyo embassy
You will hopefuly become a California resident at some point, it's arguable when. Until your application to adjust status is approved you are in the USA as a non-immigrant.
US tax law, or maybe I should say IRS policy, is pretty clear in distinguishing between being resident (or non-resident) for tax purposes and having Lawful Permanent Resident immigration status, state motor vehicle laws not so much.
My wife did not apply for a US state driver's license until she became a LPR. Had there been a need for her to present a drivers license she would have shown her home-country license.
Regards, JEff
US tax law, or maybe I should say IRS policy, is pretty clear in distinguishing between being resident (or non-resident) for tax purposes and having Lawful Permanent Resident immigration status, state motor vehicle laws not so much.
My wife did not apply for a US state driver's license until she became a LPR. Had there been a need for her to present a drivers license she would have shown her home-country license.
Regards, JEff
#18
Re: Thank you - visa approved at Tokyo embassy
Is he really "settled" yet?
Agreed that this should be the case. But how does California define being resident for DMV purposes? I believe that many states require documentation of US immigration status before they will issue a drivers license to a foreigner.
#19
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 24
Re: Thank you - visa approved at Tokyo embassy
It's fairly obvious that there's a bit of a breakdown here in the rules & the various governmental processes. I would say it's not worth overworrying it. Just rectify everything in a reasonable timeframe and make a best effort, and I think you'll be ok.
#20
Re: Thank you - visa approved at Tokyo embassy
Personally I think people on the BE site are overly concerned about the law that you must get a California license within 10 days of becoming a resident.
Most Americans, including myself, don't get a California license until after they are settled and find a job. In my case, I think it was about 4 months after I came to California and about 3 months after I got a job and an apartment. I was even stopped for speeding during that time and police officer didn't even question me about my out of state license and car registration and just wrote the ticket for speeding.
I suspect most police officers won't ticket you for having a foreign or out of state license unless you have been living in California for an excessively long period of time.
Most Americans, including myself, don't get a California license until after they are settled and find a job. In my case, I think it was about 4 months after I came to California and about 3 months after I got a job and an apartment. I was even stopped for speeding during that time and police officer didn't even question me about my out of state license and car registration and just wrote the ticket for speeding.
I suspect most police officers won't ticket you for having a foreign or out of state license unless you have been living in California for an excessively long period of time.