Key Takeaways
• REAL ID-compliant cards required for flights and federal access from May 7, 2025.
• Non-U.S. citizens with lawful presence can apply if proper documents are presented.
• Expiration of the REAL ID-compliant card matches the applicant’s immigration status duration.
The REAL ID Act, passed by the United States 🇺🇸 Congress in 2005, sets stricter security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. These standards were designed to make it harder for fake IDs to be used for access to federal buildings or commercial flights. A REAL ID-compliant license or ID card meets all federal requirements and is marked with a star in the upper right corner. Starting May 7, 2025, only these cards (or a passport or other federally approved ID) will allow you to board domestic flights within the United States 🇺🇸 and enter certain federal facilities.
One common question is whether non-U.S. citizens can get a REAL ID-compliant card. This is an important topic for people who live, work, study, or stay in the country with different immigration statuses. To answer this, it helps to look carefully at what is required and what each state expects from applicants.
Who Can Get a REAL ID-Compliant Card?
The Lawful Presence Requirement
The main rule for getting a REAL ID-compliant card is proving lawful presence in the United States 🇺🇸. “Lawful presence” means that you are allowed to be in the country under U.S. law. This is true for a wide range of people, including both citizens and non-U.S. citizens. Non-U.S. citizens who are lawfully present include permanent residents (also known as green card holders), people with temporary protected status (TPS), people approved under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), those with valid work or student visas, refugees, and others who have legal papers to stay in the U.S.
Every applicant, no matter their citizenship, must show official proof that they are living in the country legally. States must check and confirm this status before issuing a REAL ID-compliant card.
Examples of Lawfully Present Non-U.S. Citizens
- Lawful Permanent Residents: Holders of a green card (Permanent Resident Card)
- People with refugee or asylum status
- People on work visas (for example, an H-1B visa)
- People with TPS or DACA approval
- Students with an F-1 visa and proof of school enrollment
- Spouses and children of U.S. citizens or lawful residents with legal visas
- Visitors with valid visas who can show ongoing lawful status
Each person in these groups must show current, original immigration and identity documents during their application.
Purpose and Benefits
The main purpose of the REAL ID-compliant card is security. These cards help officials be sure that a person’s identity and residency status are true. If you have one, you will find it much easier to:
- Board domestic flights in the United States 🇺🇸 without carrying a passport
- Enter federal government buildings
- Visit some nuclear power plants and other sites with special security checks
Even though getting a REAL ID-compliant card does not change your immigration status or give extra rights, it does make daily life simpler for lawfully present non-U.S. citizens. This card becomes very useful for traveling and official appointments after the May 2025 deadline.
Application Process: Step by Step
Every state follows broad federal rules for issuing REAL ID-compliant cards, but there are small differences in how they do things. Below is the usual process and what you can expect:
Step 1: Learn Your State’s Specific Requirements
Before you apply, check your state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website for exact details. Some states have extra steps or need you to book an appointment ahead of time. For example, California, New York, Michigan, and Pennsylvania all have special information pages for non-U.S. citizens. (You can visit official sites like the Pennsylvania REAL ID for non-U.S. citizens page for state-specific rules.)
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
You must bring many original documents when you go to apply. At a minimum, you need proof of:
- Identity (like a valid foreign passport and current visa, a Permanent Resident Card (green card), an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), or other official photo ID)
- Lawful Status (such as a Form I-94 that matches your passport and visa, green card, refugee or asylum status grant, or work authorization)
- Social Security Number (SSN) (Social Security card, or letter from the Social Security Administration if you are not eligible for an SSN; even if not eligible, you need proof that the agency knows this)
- Proof of State Residency (recent utility bills, a lease agreement, a mortgage statement, school enrollment documents, or similar papers that have your name and current address)
States sometimes ask for more, but these four groups are required everywhere for a REAL ID-compliant card.
Step 3: Visit the DMV in Person
You must go to a Department of Motor Vehicles office in person. At the office, you give your papers to a staff member who checks your identity, lawful presence, SSN, and residency. Your documents are scanned and sometimes sent for extra checks.
Step 4: Have Your Photo Taken and Pay the Fee
You will have a new photo taken for your card. Standard fees vary from state to state, but it is usually the same as a regular driver’s license or ID fee.
Step 5: Wait for Approval and Receive Your Card
Most people get a temporary paper card or receipt to use until the official REAL ID-compliant card arrives in the mail. The DMV may contact you for more information if something does not match or if more documents are needed.
Required Documents and Evidence
Every state uses federal guidelines for deciding what papers are acceptable. Here are some common options for non-U.S. citizens applying for a REAL ID-compliant card:
- Unexpired foreign passport with valid U.S. visa and I-94 arrival/departure record
- Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551, also called a green card)
- Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766)
- Form I-797 (Notice of Action, if it shows valid lawful presence)
- Social Security card or official SSA ineligibility letter
- Utility bills, lease agreements, bank statements to prove address
- Marriage certificate or court order if your name changed
If your legal stay in the U.S. has a set end date (for example, if your visa lasts two years), your REAL ID-compliant card will also expire on this date.
Processing Times and Fees
Processing times for REAL ID-compliant cards are usually about the same as for standard licenses or IDs. Most people receive their new card within two to four weeks after applying. Fees also tend to be the same as for regular cards, which range from around $20 to $60 in most places. Check your state DMV website for exact costs.
Validity Period and Renewal Options
For non-U.S. citizens, the REAL ID-compliant card’s expiration date is tied to your lawful presence or visa status. If you have a permanent resident card, your card will often last up to the usual renewal period (often four to eight years). If you have temporary status, it will expire as soon as your status runs out.
You must renew your card in person and show updated documents each time—especially if your legal status changes or is extended. This is different from citizens, who can sometimes renew by mail or online.
Rights and Restrictions Associated with the REAL ID-Compliant Card
Having a REAL ID-compliant card lets you pass certain security checks more easily. You are allowed to:
- Board domestic flights within the United States 🇺🇸 without a passport
- Enter secure federal buildings
- Show your card as extra proof of identity when needed
But there are limits. A REAL ID-compliant card does not give extra immigration benefits or mean you can work (unless it is also a valid work authorization). It does not replace your visa or green card. After its expiration, you cannot use it for federal purposes until it is renewed with proof of ongoing lawful presence.
Undocumented immigrants who do not have proof of lawful presence cannot receive a REAL ID-compliant card. These people might still be able to receive a state ID or driver’s license that’s only valid within the state, not for federal use or air travel. These non-compliant cards will say something like “Not for Federal Identification” or “Federal Limits Apply.”
Lawful Presence: What It Means for REAL ID
“Lawful Presence” is a key term in the process. It means you are allowed to be in the U.S. under its laws and have proof of that status. Agencies check your records against systems held by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security before approving your REAL ID-compliant card. The term “lawfully present” covers both those here for a brief stay (like tourists or students) and those living here permanently. If your status changes or ends, your card will no longer be valid for federal uses.
Comparison with Similar ID Types
Some states issue three main types of identification cards:
- REAL ID-compliant cards (marked with a star): Used for travel and federal purposes after May 2025.
- Standard state IDs or licenses: Only can be used for driving, proving age, or identity within the state. Not accepted for domestic flights or federal building entry after the deadline.
- Enhanced driver’s licenses: Available only in a few states, allow land and sea travel to the United States 🇺🇸 from Canada 🇨🇦, Mexico 🇲🇽, and the Caribbean but are not a replacement for a passport.
For many non-U.S. citizens, the REAL ID-compliant card is the best choice if they qualify, as reported by VisaVerge.com.
Frequently Asked Questions and Misconceptions
Does a REAL ID-Compliant Card Grant Immigration Benefits?
No, it does not grant new immigration status, the right to stay, or work eligibility. It’s only proof that you met the security and identity rules.
If My Immigration Status Is Temporary, Can I Still Apply?
Yes, people with temporary lawful presence can apply. However, the card will expire when your legal stay ends. You must show updated papers if you extend your stay.
What If I Don’t Qualify for a REAL ID-Compliant Card?
You may still get a regular license or ID if your state allows it, but you won’t be able to use it at airport security or federal buildings after May 2025.
What If My Documents Are in Another Language?
Most DMVs require an official translation along with the original papers.
What Happens If I Lose My REAL ID-Compliant Card?
You’ll need to go to the DMV again, show your documents, and pay for a replacement.
Real-World Scenario
Consider Anna, a permanent resident from Germany 🇩🇪 living in New York 🇺🇸. She brings her German passport, green card, a Social Security card, and a utility bill to her DMV appointment. She receives her REAL ID-compliant license, which is valid for eight years—the same as local citizens. When she travels domestically, she simply shows her REAL ID-compliant license and doesn’t need her passport.
Now imagine Juan, who is a student from Mexico 🇲🇽 on an F-1 visa in California 🇺🇸. His visa is valid for three years. He brings his passport, I-94, student paperwork, and school transcripts to prove his status and address. He gets a REAL ID-compliant card that expires when his visa ends.
Recent Updates
The federal government extended the enforcement deadline for REAL ID to May 7, 2025, due to public health and technical delays. After that date, a REAL ID-compliant card, a passport, or certain military IDs will be required for air travel within the United States 🇺🇸.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Makes air travel and federal building access much easier
- Recognized nationwide
- Sets clear proof of legal identity and status
Cons
- Requires gathering several original documents
- Needs in-person renewal and regular status checks
- Those with temporary status may need to renew more often
- Some states may have long processing times
Additional Resources
For more detailed information and to view a full list of accepted documents, visit your state DMV website or USA.gov’s REAL ID guide. You may also find helpful resources in other languages on official DMV websites.
Summary
Non-U.S. citizens who have lawful presence in the United States 🇺🇸 can apply for and receive a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID card if they bring the proper documents proving identity, lawful status, Social Security information, and their current state address. The rules are quite clear: the most important thing is being able to prove lawful presence. States have some small differences, but all follow federal requirements. Standard licenses without the REAL ID mark will not be valid for air travel or federal facilities after May 7, 2025. If you have questions about what documents are needed or your specific eligibility, check your local DMV or the official government sites above for the latest rules.
Learn Today
Lawful Presence → Refers to non-citizens being in the U.S. legally, allowing them to receive certain documents such as a REAL ID-compliant card.
REAL ID-compliant card → A state-issued ID or driver’s license meeting federal security standards, marked by a star, used for federal purposes.
Form I-94 → A record showing arrival and departure information for non-citizens entering the U.S. on a visa or parole.
Employment Authorization Document (EAD) → A card that proves non-citizens are legally allowed to work in the U.S.
Enhanced Driver’s License → A special license available in a few states for land and sea travel to the U.S. from select countries.
This Article in a Nutshell
Non-U.S. citizens with lawful presence can obtain a REAL ID-compliant license or ID by presenting specific identity, immigration, and residency documents. From May 7, 2025, only these cards or equivalent federal IDs permit domestic flights or federal building entry, so timely application and maintaining valid immigration status are essential for eligibility.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Australian citizenship requires four years of permanent residency
• Germany plans to end 3-Year Path to Citizenship under Friedrich Merz
• Kosovo citizens gain visa-free travel to Israel starting May 2025
• France raises language requirements in new citizenship rules
• How ancestry visas let Americans claim Italian citizenship by descent
