State-Level Benefits and Restrictions for Non-Citizens in Virginia

Key Takeaways

• Virginia expanded Medicaid prenatal coverage for pregnant women regardless of immigration status in 2024-2025.
• Driver Privilege Card (DPC) allows non-citizens, including undocumented, to drive legally with tax proof since 2021.
• Undocumented immigrants cannot access full Medicaid or SNAP but may receive emergency Medicaid for medical emergencies.

Non-citizens living in Virginia face a unique mix of opportunities and challenges when it comes to accessing state-level benefits and services. As of July 2025, Virginia has made several changes to its laws and programs, especially in healthcare and driving privileges, that directly affect non-citizens. This guide explains what benefits are available, who qualifies, how to apply, and what restrictions remain in place. It also covers recent changes, practical steps, and what the future might hold for non-citizens in Virginia.

Understanding Non-Citizen Status in Virginia

A non-citizen is anyone living in the United States 🇺🇸 who is not a U.S. citizen. This group includes people with different immigration statuses, such as:

• Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders)
• Refugees and asylees
• People with temporary visas (students, workers)
• Undocumented immigrants (those without legal status)

Each group faces different rules for state benefits. Knowing your status is the first step to understanding what you can and cannot access in Virginia.

Healthcare Benefits and Restrictions for Non-Citizens in Virginia

Who Can Get Medicaid and FAMIS?

Medicaid is a health insurance program for people with low income. FAMIS (Family Access to Medical Insurance Security) is Virginia’s health insurance for children and pregnant women. Non-citizens’ access to these programs depends on their immigration status, age, and other factors.

Key eligibility rules:

• Lawfully present non-citizens (those with legal immigration status) may qualify for Medicaid or FAMIS if they meet income and other requirements.
• Children under 19 who are lawfully present can get Medicaid.
• Pregnant individuals can get Medicaid or FAMIS even if they do not have legal immigration status.
• Refugees, asylees, and certain other groups can get Medicaid for the first 7 years after their status is granted.
• Legal Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) must wait 5 years after getting their green card before they can get Medicaid. The old rule that required 40 work quarters (about 10 years of work) was removed in April 2021.
• Undocumented immigrants cannot get full Medicaid but may qualify for Emergency Services Medicaid if they have a medical emergency.

Other options:

• Lawfully present non-citizens who do not qualify for Medicaid can buy health insurance and get financial help through the Virginia Health Insurance Marketplace.

Recent Policy Changes (2024-2025)

Virginia has made several changes to help non-citizens get healthcare:

• Pregnant women can now get full prenatal coverage through FAMIS even if they do not have legal status or a Social Security number, as long as they meet income and residency rules.
• Refugees and asylees are still exempt from the 5-year waiting period for Medicaid, but their coverage ends after 7 years unless they qualify another way.
• A bill introduced in late 2024 would require social services to ask about immigration status when people apply for benefits. This bill is still being reviewed and has not become law yet.
• Undocumented immigrants remain ineligible for SNAP (food stamps) and full Medicaid, but they can get emergency Medicaid for urgent medical needs.

How to Apply for Healthcare

Non-citizens in Virginia can check if they qualify and apply for health coverage through:

• CoverVA: coverva.dmas.virginia.gov
• CommonHelp: commonhelp.virginia.gov
• Cover Virginia Call Center: 1-833-5CALLVA (1-833-522-5582), with help in many languages

What you need to apply:

• Proof of identity (passport, ID card)
• Proof of Virginia residency (utility bill, lease)
• Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns)
• Immigration documents (if you have them)

Special note: Pregnant women do not need to show immigration papers or a Social Security number for FAMIS Prenatal Coverage.

Real-World Example

Maria, an undocumented pregnant woman living in Virginia, was worried about getting medical care for her pregnancy. Thanks to the new FAMIS Prenatal Coverage rules, she was able to get full prenatal care without showing immigration papers or a Social Security number. This helped her have a healthy pregnancy and baby.

Practical Implications

• Children and pregnant women have better access to healthcare, no matter their immigration status.
• Lawfully present non-citizens should check if they qualify for Medicaid or FAMIS, especially after the 5-year waiting period for green card holders.
• Undocumented immigrants should know they can get emergency care but not full Medicaid or SNAP.

For more details on Medicaid eligibility and benefits, visit the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services.

Driver’s License and Driving Privileges for Non-Citizens in Virginia

Driver Privilege Card (DPC): What Is It?

Since January 2021, Virginia has offered a Driver Privilege Card (DPC) for non-citizens, including undocumented immigrants. The DPC lets non-citizens drive legally in Virginia, even if they do not have legal immigration status.

Who can get a DPC?

• You must live in Virginia.
• You must be at least 16 years and 3 months old.
• You must have reported income from Virginia sources or been claimed as a dependent on a Virginia tax return in the past 12 months.
• You cannot have a suspended or revoked license in Virginia or any other state.

What you need to apply:

• Proof of identity (passport, consular ID)
• Proof of Virginia residency (lease, utility bill)
• Proof of tax filing (Virginia tax return, W-2, or 1099 form)
• You can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security number.

Important limitations:

• The DPC is not REAL ID-compliant. You cannot use it to board airplanes or enter federal buildings.
• You cannot use the DPC to get a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
• The DPC is only for driving in Virginia.

Regular Driver’s License for Lawfully Present Non-Citizens

If you are a lawfully present non-citizen (such as a student, scholar, or worker with a visa), you must get a regular Virginia driver’s license within 60 days of starting work or moving to Virginia.

Temporary driving privileges:

• Some visa holders can use their out-of-state or foreign license for up to 6 months after moving to Virginia.

How does the DMV check immigration status?

• The Virginia DMV uses the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program to check your immigration status before giving you a regular driver’s license.

How to Apply for a Driver Privilege Card

To get a DPC, you must visit a Virginia DMV office with your documents. The process is similar to getting a regular license, but you do not need to show proof of legal presence.

Steps:

1. Gather your documents (identity, residency, tax filing).
2. Go to a DMV office.
3. Take the written and road tests (if you do not already have a license).
4. Pay the required fee.

For more information and a list of required documents, visit the Virginia DMV Driver Privilege Card page.

Real-World Example

Jorge, an undocumented worker in Virginia, needed to drive to work every day. He filed his taxes using an ITIN and brought his documents to the DMV. He passed the tests and received a Driver Privilege Card, allowing him to drive legally and avoid the risk of fines or arrest for driving without a license.

Practical Implications

• Undocumented immigrants can drive legally in Virginia if they meet the tax filing and residency requirements.
• Lawfully present non-citizens should get a regular driver’s license within 60 days of moving to Virginia or starting work.
• The DPC cannot be used for federal identification or commercial driving.

Other Public Benefits for Non-Citizens in Virginia

Non-citizens face more limits when it comes to other public benefits, such as food assistance and cash aid.

Key points:

• Undocumented immigrants cannot get SNAP (food stamps) or most other public benefits.
• Lawfully present non-citizens may qualify for some benefits, but there are waiting periods and other rules.
• A bill is being considered that would require social services to ask about immigration status when people apply for benefits. This could make it harder for some non-citizens to get help.

No major changes have been made to these rules as of mid-2025, but it is important to watch for updates.

Summary Table: Benefits and Restrictions for Non-Citizens in Virginia (2025)

Key Stakeholders and Resources

Several agencies and organizations help non-citizens in Virginia:

• Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS): Runs Medicaid and health programs.
• Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV): Handles driver’s licenses and Driver Privilege Cards.
• Virginia Poverty Law Center: Offers legal help and information about benefits for immigrants.
• State Legislators: Lawmakers like Sen. Glen Sturtevant and Sen. Ghazala Hashmi work on laws affecting non-citizens.
• CoverVA and CommonHelp: Official websites for health coverage applications.

Future Outlook and Pending Changes

Looking ahead, several things could change for non-citizens in Virginia:

• The 2025 legislative session may bring new rules requiring social services to check immigration status more closely. This could affect how non-citizens apply for benefits.
• Advocacy groups are working to expand healthcare for undocumented children and pregnant women.
• The Driver Privilege Card program is expected to continue, with possible improvements to make applying easier.
• Federal immigration policy changes could also affect state rules, so it is important to stay informed.

Practical Steps for Non-Citizens in Virginia

If you are a non-citizen living in Virginia, here are some steps you can take:

1. Check your eligibility for Medicaid, FAMIS, or the Health Insurance Marketplace through CoverVA or CommonHelp.
2. Gather your documents before applying for healthcare or a driver’s license. This includes proof of identity, residency, income, and immigration status (if you have it).
3. Apply for a Driver Privilege Card if you are undocumented but need to drive. Make sure you have filed Virginia taxes or been claimed as a dependent.
4. Stay updated on new laws and rules. Check official websites or contact local organizations like the Virginia Poverty Law Center for help.
5. Ask for help if you have questions. The Cover Virginia Call Center and DMV offices can answer questions in many languages.

Contact Information and Official Websites

• Virginia DMV Driver Privilege Card:
  dmv.virginia.gov/licenses-ids/license/driver-privilege-card
  Phone: (804) 497-7100

• Virginia Medicaid and CoverVA:
  coverva.dmas.virginia.gov
  Cover Virginia Call Center: 1-833-5CALLVA (1-833-522-5582)
  TDD: 1-888-221-1590

• Virginia Poverty Law Center: vplc.org

• Virginia Legislative Information: virginiageneralassembly.gov

Final Thoughts

Virginia has taken steps to make life easier for non-citizens, especially in healthcare and driving privileges. Children and pregnant women now have better access to health coverage, and undocumented immigrants can drive legally with a Driver Privilege Card. However, some restrictions remain, especially for undocumented immigrants who need full Medicaid or SNAP benefits. New laws could change the rules in the future, so it is important for non-citizens to stay informed and seek help when needed.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes reflect a growing recognition of the needs of non-citizens in Virginia, but ongoing debates and new proposals mean the situation could change. Non-citizens should use official resources, keep their documents ready, and reach out to trusted organizations for support.

For the most up-to-date and official information about Medicaid eligibility for non-citizens in Virginia, visit the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services.

By understanding your rights and options, you can make the best choices for yourself and your family while living in Virginia.

Learn Today

Lawful Permanent Residents → Non-citizens authorized to live in the U.S. indefinitely, often called green card holders.
Medicaid → A government health insurance program for low-income individuals, with eligibility depending on immigration status.
Driver Privilege Card → A Virginia DMV-issued card allowing non-citizens without legal status to drive legally statewide.
Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements → SAVE is a federal system used by Virginia DMV to confirm applicants’ immigration status for licenses.
Emergency Services Medicaid → Limited Medicaid coverage available for urgent medical care to undocumented immigrants in Virginia.

This Article in a Nutshell

Virginia’s 2025 laws improve healthcare and driving access for non-citizens. New Medicaid rules support pregnant women; DPC enables undocumented immigrants to drive legally. Restrictions remain for undocumented access to full benefits, but resources and agencies offer guidance to navigate these changes effectively.
— By VisaVerge.com