North Carolina DMV Does Issue / Renew Driver's License Based on I-797 Receipt

[FreeWoRLD 15]

I was not able to find much information especially for North Carolina state on this subject when I needed it before heading to DMV previously but good news that I had my driver's license renewed today based on only I-797 receipt notice. So, I wanted to put it here for anyone who seeks this information in future...

 

Here's a summary of my case;

 

• Arrived US on L1 visa
• Visa expired 3 months ago
• My REAL ID driver's license (North Caroline) also expired the same day the visa expired)
• No EAD or any other visa on hand for 3 months
• Applied for I-485 (EB3 GC) and I-765 (EAD)
• Received I-797 C receipt notices for both I-485 and I-765 applications a few days ago
• DMV in Charlotte area accepted my I-797 C receipt notices (they asked for I-94 as well which was already expired along with L1 visa)
• Renewed / extended for 6 months starting from the notice date of I-797 receipt notification (Not the date my visa expired)
• DMV used "Notice date" on the I-797C instead of the "Received Date" to renew/extend for 6 months which is super nice
• Not sure if I will be receiving a REALID or regular driver's licence but I couldn't care less about receiving it either way..

 

I hope this sheds some light for those who wonders about this matter. As I mentioned, I was not able to find this information on internet including DMV website of North Carolina.

Edited November 26, 2020 by FreeWoRLD

[Crazy Cat 41,978]

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