So if you are a foreign national who is working here on OPT or STEM Extension or H1B their driver license is issued for a limited term. On the very top of the driver license you receive it usually says "LIMITED TERM DRIVER LICENSE".
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A lot of us have to go through a lot of trouble to renew your driver license. Let us take a simple case to explain it in a simple way.
Say you are working on your OPT and your post completion OPT ends on 1st March 2016. You have already received your STEM Extension card and the STEM extension starts from 2nd March 2016 and gives you 17 more months to stay and work here legally. You decide to renew your license and go the nearby DPS 10 days before your License expires which is 1st March 2016. You show them all the documents which are required to renew your license but they come up with the reply that the database does not have a record of extension. They tell you to come back or they will charge you $25 saying you can receive a temporary card but that temporary card might show up the same expiration date. Then they tell you that you must wait to receive a letter from Austin ( we are talking specifically about Texas here) verifying their OPT extension and till then you have to wait.
In short its a mess. You will be stuck after March 1st 2016 and you won't be able to drive.
Now what can you do to avoid this or to resolve this situation ?
While these type of situations are very common with the foreign nations and cannot be avoided, still here are a few things you can do :
(1) Try to apply for your STEM extension as early as possible. USCIS allows you to file your application as early as 120 days before your post completion expires . If you apply early at least that way you would have your new EAD card in your hand that you can show the officals at DPS.
(2) Make sure that all your names ( First, Middle and Last) matches on all your documents ( Passport, EAD Card's , Driver License)
(3) Try to go to the local field office using the INFOPASS appointment. Talk about your case with an officer, they might be able help you out.
(4) Also if you feel that you are not getting an appropriate answer from the federal agency then you might try talking to your congressman
(5) Visit your local USCIS office. Explain your case to the officer and request them to contact the SAVE database department.
I hope the above information helps. If you have something to add to it , do leave a comment below. Don't forget to like our facebook page for latest updates. Also follow us on Twitter.
You would also want to look at my article : H1b Visa prediction 2017
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