Florida Driver License info at GatherGoGet.com

TN Prakash, the Deputy Director in charge of driver license issues for immigrants at the DHSMV, has provided us with some very useful information and directs everyone to find out more about the Florida requirements for driver license issuance at: www.GatherGoGet.com.

This website allows you to enter your personal information and immigration status and provides a checklist of appropriate documents for your situation.

Here are some important highlights:

First, there are different document requirements for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, immigrants with pending applications and nonimmigrants, and Canadians.

Second, anyone who must make an office visit to renew or obtain a new driver license or identification card must bring:

1. An original, unexpired, government-issued document to prove identity, such as a passport, birth certificate, green card or certificate of naturalization
2. Proof of a social security number (if you are eligible to receive one), such as a social security card, W-2 Wage and Tax Statement, paycheck or pay stub, or 1099-MISC tax form.
3. Two documents to prove residential address, such as deed, mortgage statement, lease, voter registration card, utility bills, recent bank statements, etc.

Third, immigrants with pending applications and nonimmigrants must bring proof of legal status in the U.S.  This would include a passport containing a visa, an I-94 card, approval notices for any extension or changes of status, receipt notices for any pending applications, an employment authorization card, etc.  This list is not complete and the requirements may vary for certain immigrant and nonimmigrant categories.  Immigration attorneys have access to a list of accepted documents from the DMV.  If you are an immigrant with a pending application or a nonimmigrant, then you should speak with your attorney to gather the documents necessary for the driver license issues.

Here are a few more tips concerning immigrants with pending applications and nonimmigrants:

1. Do not expect to get a license on the day of your office visit. Instead, you will get a 30 day temporary license while your application is processed
2. The license will be issued for 1 year or for the expiration date of your immigration document, whichever is shorter.
3. Any lawful immigrant or nonimmigrant who will be in Florida for longer than 31 days can seek a license, including visitors on a visa waiver.
4. The DMV cannot issue a license if an applicant has less than 31 days of valid status on his or her immigration document.
5. The DMV will scan any documents provided but is not permitted to keep or confiscate any document
6. The cost to renew a license is $48.

Would You Like to Own an Island in Florida?

Realtors in Florida often entice foreign buyers with the opportunity for purchasing a “piece of Florida.”  But now, a lucky buyer has the opportunity to buy a large piece of Florida—a whole island.

Purchasing an island in Florida does not necessarily enable a foreign buyer to live on the island year round.  The foreign owner must qualify for a visa of some type that permits temporary or permanent residence in the U.S.  Fortunately, this particular island that is for sale includes some features that make the purchase well suited for a business-related visa application, such as an E-2 Treaty Investor visa or an EB-5 Investment green card.

The island sale includes several active businesses such as: a water ferry business to taxi residents and visitors to the island, marinas for docking boats, a restaurant and a resort beach club.  It also includes extensive land holdings suitable for residential and commercial development.  The price for all of the assets is in the millions.

News of this island came to me from Steve Alexander, a business broker and mergers and acquisition specialist with Abbex, Inc., in Sarasota.  You can find out more about Abbex, Inc., the island that is for sale, and other business opportunities at www.abbexinc.com.  Or, call Steve Alexander at 941.365-3833.