(WYOMING) Visa holders in Wyoming can keep getting a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card through WYDOT if they prove lawful presence, but starting January 1, 2026, Wyoming will add a mark showing non‑U.S. citizen status. The change does not cancel REAL ID compliance, and Wyoming remains aligned with the federal enforcement date of May 7, 2025 for using REAL ID at airport checkpoints and certain federal facilities.
For many immigrants, this is not an abstract rule change. A state ID is the document people hand over at airline counters, banks, and traffic stops. Beginning in 2026, the same WYDOT credential that makes domestic travel easier may also reveal immigration status faster than before.
New “marked” credential for non‑U.S. citizens (effective January 1, 2026)
The 2026 marking requirement comes from Senate File 0033, introduced February 20, 2025, which directs that licenses for non‑U.S. citizens with lawful alien status be marked starting January 2026. The state’s goal is to show status clearly on the card while still issuing a credential that meets federal REAL ID rules.
Wyoming has issued REAL ID-compliant cards since 2011. They feature a star in the upper right corner (now shown as a black star). That star matters because, after May 7, 2025, a standard license that is marked “Not for Federal Identification” won’t work for domestic flights or for entering certain federal facilities. People can still drive with a standard license, but they’ll need a different federal ID document when flying.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the practical impact in Wyoming is less about eligibility—because lawful Visa holders can qualify—and more about planning around document matching, card expiration dates, and the new 2026 visible status marking.
Important takeaway: Starting January 1, 2026, a WYDOT REAL ID issued to a non‑U.S. citizen will display a mark indicating non‑U.S. citizen status, while remaining REAL ID-compliant for federal purposes when applicable.
Which Visa holders qualify for a Wyoming REAL ID through WYDOT
Under federal REAL ID standards, Visa holders who can prove lawful presence qualify for a REAL ID credential in Wyoming. WYDOT’s approach is relatively inclusive compared with some states that restrict REAL ID issuance for certain noncitizen categories.
Common immigration categories that typically qualify under lawful presence include:
- Employment‑based visas: E-3, H-1B, L-1, O-1
- Student and exchange visas: F-1, J-1, M-1
- Other lawful presence situations: TPS or asylum with work permits (EAD)
Core point: if your immigration category gives you lawful presence and you can prove it with acceptable documents, WYDOT can issue a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card.
Documents WYDOT expects — originals or certified copies only
Applicants must appear in person at a Driver Services office (examples: Cheyenne, Casper, Gillette, Laramie, Rock Springs, Sheridan). Bring originals or certified copies — photocopies and digital scans are not accepted for noncitizen immigration documents.
Applicants generally need documents from four categories. Every name must match your current legal name.
- Identity and lawful presence (typical examples)
- Unexpired foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa plus an I‑94 arrival/departure record
- An EAD (Employment Authorization Document) when applicable — Form
I-766 - A green card for permanent residents — Form
I-551 - Links for reference (preserve exactly as provided):
- Social Security number proof
- Social Security card, W-2, 1099, or a pay stub with the full SSN
- Or an official ineligibility letter if not eligible for a SSN
- Two proofs of Wyoming residency
- Utility bill, lease or mortgage document, bank or credit card statement, or official government mail showing full name and Wyoming address
- Name change chain (if applicable)
- Marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order linking every version of your name
If applying for a driver’s license, you must also pass the vision, written, and driving tests. A state ID card does not require the driving test.
Processing time, card validity, and fees
- WYDOT issues these credentials in person. Walk-ins are common; appointments may be available in some offices.
- Arrive early and plan extra time — staff must verify identity and lawful presence documents.
- Typical outcome if documents are complete: same‑day issuance. High office volume can slow service.
Common causes of delay:
– Missing residency documents
– Inconsistent names across documents
– Immigration papers not matching current status
Two timing rules that matter for Visa holders:
1. Card expiration tracks immigration status. The credential generally expires with your authorized stay (for example, the end date on a visa approval, I-94, or EAD). Example: an E‑3 valid to December 2026 yields a license expiring then.
2. Federal enforcement date for REAL ID use: After May 7, 2025, a Wyoming standard license marked “Not for Federal Identification” won’t meet federal ID requirements for domestic air travel.
Fees vary by license type and age. Example fee: adult ID card is $10.
Travel and daily-life impact (after May 7, 2025 and after the 2026 marking change)
- REAL ID is optional in Wyoming, but it’s effectively required for domestic flights and some federal facilities after May 7, 2025.
- If a Visa holder chooses not to get REAL ID, they must use a passport or another acceptable federal ID for domestic flights and certain federal facilities.
- The 2026 marking adds a separate consideration: how much immigration information a person wants displayed during routine ID checks.
Real‑life points to consider:
– IDs are shown to landlords, employers, pharmacies, and sometimes police after traffic stops.
– Beginning in 2026, the mark will signal non‑U.S. citizen status immediately, even if the person’s presence is lawful and long‑term.
– WYDOT still rewards careful preparation: bringing correct originals, keeping names consistent across documents, and timing renewals around I-94 or EAD end dates helps avoid repeat trips.
For the federal baseline on REAL ID uses and acceptable IDs at checkpoints, see the U.S. Department of Homeland Security overview: DHS REAL ID.
Practical tips and checklist
- Bring originals or certified copies of all immigration documents.
- Ensure names match exactly across identity, social security, and residency documents.
- Check your
I-94or EAD expiry and plan renewals before the card expiration. - Carry a passport as backup for domestic flights if you don’t have REAL ID.
- Expect same‑day issuance if all documents are in order, but allow extra time for verification.
If you prepare the correct originals, keep your documentation consistent, and time renewals to match your immigration documents, you can usually secure and maintain a WYDOT REAL ID for travel and work in Wyoming through 2026 and beyond.
Wyoming is implementing a marking system for non-U.S. citizen IDs starting in 2026 while maintaining REAL ID compliance for visa holders. Applicants must provide original documentation of lawful presence, Social Security, and residency. The credentials’ expiration dates will align with the individual’s authorized stay in the U.S. These changes are critical for domestic travel planning ahead of the May 2025 federal enforcement deadline.
