If you’re an immigrant in the United States, you may be wondering if you can renew your driver’s license even if your work permit has expired. The answer is YES – sort of! You can still renew your driver’s license as long as you have proof that your work permit is currently being renewed. So don’t worry – you can still drive legally in the United States even if your work permit has expired. In this Blog, we will explain this process and how Puntier Law can help you.
You have to prove that you have begun your work permit renewal
If you’re an immigrant in the United States and your work permit is expired, you can still apply for a driver’s license extension. This allows you to obtain a valid driver’s license even if your work permit has expired. To do this, you must be able to prove that you are actively applying to renew your work permit. You will then get an extension for about 544 days to give you time to get your work permit in order and finalize your driver’s license renewal.
Your work permit renewal application will also extend your ability to work legally
When your work permit is expired, it can be unsettling not knowing whether you will still be able to continue working legally in the United States. Fortunately, when you apply for a driver’s license extension, due to an expired work permit, this also serves as evidence that you are actively applying to renew your work permit. This means that while you wait for your 544 days to pass and your permit to renew, you can work and drive legally.
Your work permit renewal application process can be simple
If you have an expired driver’s license and work permit, you can contact Puntier Law, and our team will evaluate your case to see if there are other opportunities to streamline your immigration process. If our legal analysis supports a work permit renewal as the best course of action, we will file the renewal as soon as possible and use the receipt to help you get the extension you need for your license. The preparation of your work permit renewal process takes approximately a couple of days, so we should have ample time to get your renewal application out and for you to receive the fee receipt with the extension of 544 days.
Keep track of your expiration deadlines
It is most ideal to keep track of when any of your documents expire so you can renew them in a timely manner. Driver’s licenses can last years but your work permits are shorter. Immigration laws are changing every day, and it is best not to risk the qualifications changing and leaving you in a situation where you cannot renew your work permit. Most work permits are valid for about a year so if it’s been close to a year since you got yours, please call us as soon as possible.
Maintain good standing with your employer
When applying for a work permit renewal, there are certain requirements that must be met in order for the application to be approved. You have to apply to renew your work permit every year, so it is important that you maintain good standing with your employer to provide the necessary proof of employment.
You will need to prove that you were continuously employed for the duration of the year, not just at renewal times. If you need help with the complex process of renewing a work permit, or if you are considering other options to maintain your legal status in the United States, Puntier Law is here to help. Our experienced attorneys and dedicated staff have an expert understanding of immigration law and can provide comprehensive advice on how to move forward with your paperwork, and more importantly with a thorough legal analysis to make sure your legal plan is solid – setting you up for the best possible outcome.
