Driver Licenses and ID Cards for Temporary Visitors

September 29, 2020

A temporary visitor is anyone who is not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, refugee or asylee.

Temporary visitors who meet the requirements will be issued a driver license or ID card with “Limited Term” printed on it. The driver license or ID card will expire when the period of lawful presence expires. If the period of lawful presence is “duration of status” then the driver license or ID card will expire in one year.

Before September 2011, driver licenses and ID cards issued to temporary visitors read, “Temporary Visitor” instead of “Limited Term.” A “Limited Term” driver license or ID card will be issued when it is renewed.

Renewal

When renewing a limited term driver license or ID card, individuals must renew in person at any driver license office and provide documents verifying their lawful presence status.

If the original period of lawful presence has expired, then documents that show a status change or extension of stay must be provided.

If the period of lawful presence is “duration of status,” then documents that confirm an individual’s lawful presence status has not changed must be provided.