Florida’s new rule limits driver’s license validity for legal immigrants to a maximum of one year, requiring more frequent DMV visits for renewals and impacting those with longer-term visas.
Legal immigrants in Florida are facing a significant change in how their driver’s licenses will be renewed. A new state rule issued by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Division (FLHSMV) mandates that new driver’s licenses and ID cards for most legal immigrants will now expire no later than one year after issuance.
This marks a significant shift from previous guidance, which allowed expiration dates to align with the validity of their visas or other immigration documents such as I-94 record, potentially extending Florida driver’s license for multiple years.
This updated rule means that many immigrants with work visas or long-term allowances will be required to visit the Florida DMV offices annually for renewals or even for simple address changes.
For instance, an H-1B visa holder in Florida, typically with a 3-year visa and I-94 validity, will now face annual Florida driver’s license renewals instead of every three years upon their visa or status expiration.
For example, an H-1B visa holder who typically has their H-1b visa and I-94 record valid for 3 years, will now need to renew their Florida driver’s license each year instead of once every 3 years when their visa or status expires.
Impact on Legal Immigrants
This new guidance does not affect green card holders. However, this new policy will impact individuals with non-immigrant visa or other temporary legal statuses.
The Miami-Dade County Tax Collector’s Office, which operates some DMV locations in the Miami area, publicly announced the change on Friday. While the exact reason for the state’s notice remains unclear, the advisory cites existing Florida law as the basis for the one-year cap.
The one-year rule applies to renewals and new issuances, not the expiration dates of existing licenses. However, South Florida, with its large immigrant population, is expected to feel the impact most acutely in the coming year.
This updated guidance will necessitate more frequent trips to the Florida DMV for legal immigrants, who previously could renew their driver’s licenses and ID cards for longer periods, aligning with their authorized stay in the United States.
Florida Driver’s License Rule Change: Impacted Visas and Legal Statuses
The new Florida driver’s license renewal rule affects individuals holding the following visas and statuses:
Malescu Law can assist
Stay informed about these changes to ensure you understand the new requirements for driver’s license renewals in Florida.
If you need assistance with Florida’s new driver’s license policy, contact us or schedule a consultation with our experienced immigration lawyers in Florida to discuss your case.
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