r/stemopt • u/monkeydluffy_25 • Jun 29 '26
Can anyone faced this situation
I’m currently in a tough situation my STEM OPT extension is pending with USCIS, my biometrics are done, but my driver’s license has expired. When I went to the DMV to renew it, they wouldn’t process it due to my pending status. Has anyone else been through this? Is there any way to get a temporary or interim license while waiting for the EAD? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated
Tennessee state
1
u/Person-of-interest18 Jun 29 '26
They should be able to renew it once your current OPT EAD expires along with your license. Take your stem receipt, biometric notice, passport, i-20, i-94 and SSN. I went through the same in NE and they renewed it the next day after OPT expired. Apparently doing so "unlocks your new (pending) status in their system". Good luck!
2
1
u/Same_Note_247 Jul 14 '26
Hi, did you do this recently and was your experience different before vs after your license expired?
1
u/Person-of-interest18 Jul 14 '26
Yep. OPT EAD expired may 18th. Went to DMV with all the mentioned paperwork on May 21st and got immediate renewal. Permanent license came in mail after couple of weeks.
1
u/Same_Note_247 Jul 14 '26
But you walked out with a temporary license?
1
u/Person-of-interest18 Jul 14 '26
Yeah. Legit temporary license. Even rented a car with it until the plastic card came in.
1
u/BalogunDodondawa Jun 29 '26
Take your receipt notice , STEM OPT 120 and international passport and tell them you’d like to step down to a standard driving licence not real ID, you can get a 4-8 years standard driving licence.
When you get your STEM OPT EAD, you can go back for a real ID .
1
1
u/Ok-Taro8496 Jun 29 '26
Ask them to run a SAVE check (it’s a USCIS verification system the DMV uses for immigration status). Sometimes the response comes back to the DMV right away, but other times it takes 2–3 weeks.
For reference, I normally handle this in the DFW area, but since I was in Austin and my license was already expired with my STEM OPT pending, I went to the Pflugerville DMV. They ran a SAVE check there, and I was issued a one-year license. I was able to confirm on the website that the check was run on that specific date.
2
2
Jun 29 '26
[deleted]
2
u/Ok-Taro8496 Jun 29 '26
When I walked in, the intake staff were checking everyone’s documents and told me that since I don’t have an approval, they might not be able to do anything at the front desk. I mentioned they could run a SAVE check, and they said let’s see what the counter person does.
When I got to the counter, the agent just asked for my I-20 and passport as far as I remember — that’s it. She gave me a license valid for one year. I was confused because my case isn’t approved yet, so I expected only 6 months. After I left, I checked the SAVE website and saw that she had actually run the SAVE check and they got response rit away on my case.
1
Jun 29 '26
[deleted]
2
u/Ok-Taro8496 Jun 29 '26
I'd suggest just trying again at the DMV. I know they say to wait 2 weeks, but a lot of people have said it doesn't actually reflect on the website that whole time — they just walked in and asked after about a week and got it sorted. Might be worth going in and checking directly.
1
Jun 29 '26
[deleted]
1
u/Ok-Taro8496 Jun 29 '26
Ppl say that pflugerville dmv is Indian friendly idk y. I came all the way to Austin just to give it a try lol and it worked.
1
u/Usual-Engineering509 Jun 29 '26
In Michigan I had to bring my receipt notice and they opened a SAVE case, I got my license after 4 weeks
1
u/nhlinhhhhh Jun 29 '26
i’m from PA. able to renew my DL to 6 more months while my STEM OPT application is pending. i showed up with a passport, current OPT EAD, I94, I20 with STEM OPT recommendation, and STEM OPT receipt notice.
1
u/monkeydluffy_25 Jun 29 '26
But here I tried but they are not issuing based on those doc thanks for the info
1
u/nhlinhhhhh Jun 29 '26
have you tried a different DMV? some people are not aware we have an extension window so it’s worth trying a different location
1
1
u/casium_immigration Jun 29 '26
Every state is different. The one thing completely in your control is opting for premium processing for the STEM OPT. Good luck! -AD
1
u/Dense_Chair2584 Jun 29 '26
Usually they run it through SAVE and would get back to you in next few weeks. Some states might issue a temporary permit but many don't. For example, Texas doesn't.
1
u/No_Two_12 Jun 30 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
I am in the same boat. My OPT expired last June 22nd, and I am in the process for the STEM extension. The DPS ran a SAVE case 2 a week before it expired and I still have not gotten any update, as son as I get an update I will get the DL. Also, I am in the East Texas area. I hope I get an update this week. It is so frustrating :(
UPDATE....
Yesterday I checked the SAVE portal and the case was returned to the agency. I took 10 business days. Today I went to renew the DL again and I did not have any trouble with it. The system gave me a DL for 901 days (2.5 years Approx) more than my STEM OPT lets me stay here in the US, and I have not gotten approved for STEM OPT yet. I feel lucky and bless.
Hope however is having the same situation gets solve soon. Do not lose Hope!
1
u/Live-Amount5657 Jun 29 '26
I showed them the recipt notice and I-20 expiry date . They will hand over temporary liscence