DL Extension on h4 and H1b visa receipt notice
Most of the people having H1b or h4 visa status face this issue. As we all know our driving license expires with our I94.
My driving license was expired recently and my H1b extension was still in progress. My h1b extension was filed in normal process. Some people file in premium processing just for DL.
Now you don’t need to file your extension in premium processing for driving license. You can get your driving license based on your i797C receipt notice. Most of the states give DL based on H1b receipt notice. This is a huge relief for thousands of people working on h1b. Life without driving license in the USA is tough.
You will get updated driving license for at least 240 days based on your H1b receipt notice. Sometimes they will check your case with USCIS and it may take one or two weeks more to get your license. So, keep this point in mind and go to DMV at least two weeks before your driving license expires.
You need a car in USA just like you need oxygen.
DMV office for DL Extension on h4 and H1b visa receipt notice in NJ
You can go to any nearby DMV office. They are going to verify your documents and take new pics. If all the documents are fine, you will get driving license same day.
Documents required for DL on H1b and H4 receipt notice
1. I-797 receipt notice. Please remember it should be original. DMV will not consider any photo copy.
2. Employment verification letter. This should be in DMV format. You can download this form here. H1B_status_employer_letter.pdf. Again this should be original. So, ask your employer to attest and send hard copy.
3. 6 points ID. You can Check any DMV website for this.
Will DMV accept color print out of i797C receipt Notice?
There is no way you can get away with any kinds of print out. They face people like you and me everyday and they can easily find out if you have print out or xerox copy. I had taken print out first time. And they showed me a paper written “We accept only original documents”.
These are the minimum documents you need to carry for driving license on H1b or h4 receipt notice.
Mandatory documents:
1. SSN.
2. Original form I 797c receipt notice.
3. Original Employer letter.
4. Passport.
One of the following doc:
1. Recent Bank statements.
2. Recent Bank debit card.
3. Recent Utility bill.
4. Valid State issued ID card.
Please share your DMV experience by commenting on this blog and help others.
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Click here to know about premium processing. h1b premium processing.
Hi, my h4 has been pending with USCIS since March 2020. I94 expired on March 3rd. We got our licenses extended until November 2nd (240 days grace period). Meanwhile my husband’s H1b got approved for 3 years in July. My h4 is still pending. Can my license be renewed in November again?
I live in New Jersey.
You can try with your husband’s approved I797 but i think they will be checking your VISA or approval notice.
I tried renewing my license with my h4 receipt notice at edison DMV last week.
DMV said they need my H4 approval notice to renew license, even with H1 approved document.
You should get license for 240 days. Its dmv rule.
Hi Gayatri,
My husband, who is in H4, couldn’t get his DL renewed since his SAVE case was not approved; while my (H1B) SAVE got approved , hence DL renewed for 240 days. We went to South Plainfield DMV in NJ. Could you please let me know in which DMV in NJ you got the H4 DL renewed? Also, had they raised SAVE case for you?
TIA
Jwala
hi can you let me know which DMV office you visited because same issue with me my husband got H1B approval and my H4 still in process we visit Lodi, Nj yesterday and they told us there is no rule that we can give extension of driving licence based on receipt.
That guy might not know about the dl extension rule for h1b/h4 receipt notice. I got my extension in somerville dmv
Somerville dmv is open only for vehicle registration services not licensing. Any idea which one will be better- Edison or Somerville
Somerville dmv is open only for vehicle registration services not licensing. Any idea which one will be better- Edison or Flemington
Hi!Which dmv did you go to in NJ?
Hi, can u please let us know which DMV to got this extension
Hi,
I’ve recently been to multiple dmvs for my license renewal with the receipt notice I-797C but they are rejecting saying that this is just courtesy copy. We cannot extend based on this I-797C receipt notice. Do you have any idea what am i missing??
I carried all the necessary documents which you have mentioned.
I live in New Jersey
My husband renewed his license for 240 days based on H4 receipt today on North Bergen DMV. Try there.
Hi Erin,
What documents apart from 6 points documents you took to north bergen DMV . Did they asked for anything apart from 6 points docs and H4 receipt.
Thanks
Hello all,
My husband H1b visa got approved and updated online on USCIS, but unfortunately his approved document never delivered to us as UPS lost his document on the way. His office is trying to apply for duplicate document. So he went to MVC with a print out copy of approved H1b to Edison, NJ but they said they wont give DL without original documents and they said no for 240 day as well.
I am on H4b visa and I went to try for DL renewal with my receipt no. at Edison, NJ, but they said no again.
our DL are going to expire soon.
Any suggestion ???
Thank you in advance
Hi Alka Meena – Were you able to get the DL ? We are in the same situation. H1b approval notice was lost.