Tag: TVDL

H4 EAD Subsequent Processes

Once you get your work permit through H4 EAD, you must apply for Social Security Number and driving licence. These are some of the documents required to get you an identity and a job in the USA.

Applying for SSN

Social Security Number is acquired for US citizens at birth. For all other immigrants and non immigrants, SSN can be acquired at the local social security office. There are some special cases where you can get a SSN even though you do not have a work permit or work visa. Here are the documents needed for applying SSN once you get your H4 EAD:

  1. EAD card
  2. Passport
  3. Valid I94 either in passport or extended version

Check the work hours of your local SSN office. You are required to take a token at the entrance. At the window, the officer will verify your documents. They will take a copy of your documents and issue an acknowledgement which shows your address, name, date of birth, and so on. The SSN card will be mailed to your address within two weeks.

Applying for Driving License

If you do not have a TVDL, you have to apply for fresh driving license after you get your EAD and SSN. If you already have a TVDL, you can get your driving license without a computer test and road test. The documents required at the DMV include:

  1. TVDL
  2. EAD card
  3. SSN Card
  4. SSN Acknowledgement Letter
  5.  Spouse’s Driving License and Spouse signature (Spouse is required to present at the DMV)

You have to take a token at the DMV. They will verify your documents and issue a token. Once your number is called, the officer will verify your documents. You will be required to take only vision test. Your driving license will be issued for five years from the current date. This is regardless of your date of validity of the H4 EAD card or I94. Again, check the timings and take all the originals. The fee is $30 plus one dollar for service fee if you pay through credit card.

Temporary Visitor Drivers Licence (TVDL) New Updates

Continuing my articles about Temporary Visitor Drivers License (TVDL), here are some updates based on the new government regulations. You may not need some documents any more but still have to visit the nearest DMV office which processes your TVDL.

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Non visa Undocumented TVDL

TVDL is issued to temporary visitors to the United States in order for them to carry out their day to day chores. It may not be the same license issued to the Social Security Number (SSN) holders. Illinois started issuing TVDL for non visa undocumented drivers since January 2013. The documents required will  be address proof, consular card, twelve months of residency in Illinois and any current driving license from the same state or other state.

Your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will be able to process your DMV for non visa TVDL. Drivers are requested to schedule an appointment online through the website of Secretary of State. You can also call the toll free number and schedule an appointment. 855-236-1155. However, there are limits on the number of attempts you can make an appointment. After the documents are verified, you may require to take a vision test, computer test, and road test. If you are renewing your license, you will require only vision test. Your TVDL will be issued at a later date after completing a facial recognition background check.

Visa TVDL

TVDL is also issued for drivers with valid visa who do not have a social security number. Earlier, they were required to submit a SSN denial letter along with the documents. This document is not required anymore. You will still need two proofs of address, unexpired passport, I94, valid visa document. If you do not have two address proofs, a certificate of residency from a person with a valid SSN is also accepted. Visa TVDL will also be issued two weeks later after facial recognition check. You will be given a temporary driving permit which will let you drive until your TVDL arrives in mail.

While some may be totally unaware of this process, it is a good opportunity for drivers. It is also a cumbersome process to get a TVDL. After all the effort, a TVDL can be used only for driving purposes. It is not a valid identification for boarding airplanes or entering a federal facility. Uninsured drivers or drivers with DUI may face severe punishments or suspension of TVDL. Also, check in other states if your TVDL is valid there.

Let me know how your experience with the DMV went and share your license routines. 🙂

 

 

TVDL Illinois

Temporary Visitor Drivers Licence (TVDL) is issued to legal residents in the United States who are not eligible for a Social Security Number. Until lately, there was no such provision but in 2005 Illinois started issuing TVDL to enable the residents drive.

International students and spouses of temporary international workers may apply for a TVDL as they are not eligible to work in the United States. They are legal residents but are ineligible for a Social Security number. In order to facilitate driving for these residents, a TVDL is issued.

Documents

Bloomington, Rockford, Springfield, Carbondale, and Chicago are the offices that issue a TVDL. They process TVDL only on certain days of the week. Take the following original documents to your nearest DMV office.

  1. No SSN letter from the Social Security Office issued within the last 90 days
  2. Passport with original I94
  3. Any mail with name and address within last 30 days
The documents will be verified using the online verification system. If there is any additional verification, a second visit maybe required.

Validity

An applicant must be having at least six months visa and one year valid stay while requesting a TVDL.  A TVDL is valid until three years or the visa expiry date whichever is sooner.

A TVDL can be extended after receiving the extension notice from the USCIS. The application may be sent for additional processing. The DMV will issue an invitation letter to revisit the DMV office to get the renewal.

Tests

First time applicants have to go through vision test, computer test, and driving test. Applicants renewing TVDL may have to go through vision test and other tests if required.

Once all the tests have been passed, a photograph is taken and the TVDL will be issued. It may be a shocking and tiring process but the pain is worth. The stringent rules by the Illinois DMV may seem ridiculous but at the end ensure the safety of the drivers.

 

How to get driving licence – Tips to alien dependents in Quad cities, IL

Taking your kid to the library or getting an urgent grocery from Walmart can be a challenge if you cannot drive in US. You are practically crippled if you cannot drive. I got my Temporary Visitor Driving Licence (TVDL) recently.

All these days, I was hoping to get a valid identification document once I receive a Driving licence, but  was surprised to learn that alien dependents who do not possess an SSN get a TVDL, not a DL. The TVDL is not a valid identification document, it says.

Anyways, here are some tips I followed:

Step 1: Computer test

Take the computer test after you have gone through the driving manual of Illinois. Reading the entire book once or twice will help.

You may not memorize all the rules, but it is better to remember the basic rules and signals. Passing the computer test is easier than the road test and may require one week study.

It is a must to acquire a letter from SSN office before going to the Rockford DMV office. The other documents required can be found at Acceptable Documents.

Being a Saturday, the office was busy and crowded when I took the computer test.

  1. You will be required to take a token number on entering.
  2. Once your number is called, you need to submit your required documents at the counter.
  3. The people are courteous to speak slow enough that we can understand them. So I wasn’t scared.
  4. An eye exam will be performed at the counter to screen your vision. It is similar to the one which do at the doctor’s office.
  5. After verifying the documents, you will be asked to wait to take the computer test.
  6. Once the queue is cleared, you will be asked to start the test.
  7. If you are familiar with computers and English, the test environment is comfortable.
  8. The questions appear one after the other. All are multiple choice or fill in the blanks. You will have to select an answer from the given options.
  9. If you are unsure of an answer, you can skip that question, which will appear later.
  10. Sometimes the questions are linked and are leading answers to other questions.
  11. Once you are done with all the questions (35/100), the results appear.
  12. You need not answer all the questions correctly, if you get minimum correct, you are through.

The officers will give you a Learner’s Permit after you pass the computer test. You can drive a vehicle under the supervision of a licence holder. The validity of the permit is one year. Now, you can practice driving the vehicle.

Read my subsequent posts about the remaining two steps.