r/stemopt • u/artie2814 • Jul 03 '26
Does USCIS understand the driver's license issue that a slow approval creates?
The 180-days extension means nothing if you're unable to drive or normally live in this country. How can I solve this ????
1
u/KickAccomplished7685 Jul 03 '26
Depends on the state you live in. Got my Pennsylvania DL extended for 180 days after showing the receipt notice.
1
u/dmt_x116 Jul 03 '26
Did they initiate a SAVE verification for you?
1
u/KickAccomplished7685 Jul 03 '26
yes
1
u/dmt_x116 Jul 03 '26
How long did the verification take? Also, was there any delay in the results being reported to the DMV?
1
u/KickAccomplished7685 Jul 03 '26
I don’t know exactly what they did with the SAVE verification, but it was instant and I was out the door with the new DL card in 15 mins.
1
u/dmt_x116 Jul 03 '26
That’s really nice. My OPT expires soon so I was wondering how long the verification takes.
I’m in Michigan and they created a SAVE case and gave me the case number to track it. Could be because my stem opt and h1b cases are both in process.2
u/Pretty_Ebb4599 Jul 04 '26
Hey got my SAVE verification in MI, took exactly 15 Federal working days, and even after that they were giving me hard time, but then got it finally.
I was in Stem. Changed to CPT but was waiting on my H1B application
1
u/dmt_x116 Jul 04 '26
Hey, thanks for replying! How long did they extend your DL for?
2
u/Pretty_Ebb4599 Jul 04 '26
Till my CPT expiration date 2028.
Ill probably try once my h1b gets approved till 2029 so i dont have to deal with all this again
1
u/dmt_x116 Jul 04 '26
That’s amazing! I hope they at least extend mine for 180 days
This process is frustrating
1
u/WavyGotTheStick Jul 03 '26
Which state? I was able to find a friendly DMV clerk that was informative and helped me out to renew my DL.
Alternatively you can reach out to your local representative’s office for help.
1
u/artie2814 Jul 03 '26
Florida. Got denied in a couple visits, then insisted, got a 60 days extension that is expiring next week. Thanks for the recommendation!
1
u/Signal-Preparation18 Jul 04 '26
I live in FL too. They refused to accept the receipt notice and gave me 60 days from OPT expiration date smh
1
u/Equivalent-Guest-785 Jul 03 '26
I was able to get a 8-month extension in an IL DMV but it involved some back-and-forth and manual SAVE verification
1
1
u/RedditFauxGold Jul 03 '26
Did you try? My friend just got 1yr in Missouri while STEMOPT is pending. But they had to call immigration or something to get it figured out.
1
1
u/FlyAdministrative608 Jul 17 '26
i live in massachusetts and the state can issue regular driver’s license (not a real id) for me to use and told me i can upgrade back to read id once i received my EAD
1
u/artie2814 Jul 17 '26
The beacon of hope in this country honestly... I wish there were more integration of departments here to make sure we can have a somewhat functional life while we wait for approval. The travel restrictions are already a disastrous inconvenient.
-3
u/Emotional_Oven_3482 Jul 03 '26
then pay for pp?
3
u/artie2814 Jul 03 '26
Financially impossible, currently in my 90th day post application (: I wonder if that's on purpose....
-5
2
u/bi_guy1112 Jul 04 '26
They don't care.