SAVE Database- Issues with Obtaining SSN and Driver's Licenses

Sometimes, an international student or scholar may encounter issues with the SAVE database used to verify immigration status or work authorization for eligibility for a Social Security Number, driver's licenses, or other government benefits. Some issues arise from inconsistencies in data between other government agency databases, e.g the name or date of birth in the Social Security database does not match the I-94 information in the Customs and Border Protection database.

Others are specific to F/M/J students or scholars. For example, some types of work authorization for F/M/J do not appear in the SAVE database, particularly those that are merely authorized in SEVIS and do not require an Employment Authorization Card through USCIS, e.g. Curricular Practical Training, automatic OPT extensions for cap gap and STEM while the EAD is pending, etc.

SEVP and the USCIS Verification Office (which runs SAVE and E-verify) are working together and plan to have a better interface between SAVE and SEVIS II. In the meantime, SEVP has a full-time analyst working on these issues who has contacts in the Social Security Administration as well as the 56 state and territory agencies that provide driver's licenses.

Note: SEVP also works with the driver's license agencies regarding the documentation required by the state. For example, SEVP has indicated that some states that usually require an 'unexpired visa' have been willing to accept a letter from SEVP or DHS that indicates the student is maintaining status; some states have also accepted a print-out of the SEVIS profile as proof of status.

Requesting Assistance through USCIS Verification Office

If the student encounters a problem in obtaining a driver's license/Social Security number that appears to be a SAVE issue, the student may be able to resolve the issue by contacting the USCIS Verification Office for assistance:

USCIS Verification Programs Contact Center: 1-888-464-4218
E-mail Address: SAVE.HELP@dhs.gov

Requesting Assistance through SEVP

If further assistance is needed, the student's Designated School Official (DSO and RO/ARO) may send an email to SEVIS.Source@dhs.gov with Subject line: 'SSA/DMV issue, ______ [Note: list the city/state where the particular SSA/DMV office is located].' The DSO and RO/ARO can even send a list of students with issues with the same SSA office/DMV so that the cases can all be dealt with at once.

In the e-mail message, DSO and RO/AROs should include the following information about the student:

1. The applicant's name
2. The alien's I-94 admission number (11 digits) or alien registration number (9-digit A#) if there is one
3. SEVIS # if the client is a foreign student or exchange visitor
4. The alien's date of birth (DOB)
5. The address of the SSA/DMV office where the person experienced the problem, and a driver's license number (if available)
6. The date the person visited the SSA/DMV office
7. A contact address and phone number or e-mail address for the alien (in case the SSA/DMV office needs to contact the person)
8. An explanation of the problem- DSO and RO/AROs should provide as much specific information as possible about the response that the student received from the clerk at the SSA/DMV office.
   

SEVP has reported that most SAVE database conflicts in these circumstances are due to the student's registration not being reflected in SAVE, either because the student has not been registered in SEVIS yet, or because there is a delay in batching to SEVIS and then to SAVE. Another common scenario is a failure to terminate the previous SEVIS record after a change in status.

SEVP is in the process of developing detailed guidance regarding DMV issues; in the interim, SEVP has offered some practice tips:

• The student should wait at least 10 days after entering the U.S. to allow CBP time to data enter the I-94 information.
  
• The student must be registered in SEVIS, and should allow 1-2 additional days after registration for the information to appear in the SAVE database.
  
• The DSO and RO/ARO should confirm that the name and date of birth match throughout SEVIS and other documentation (I-94, visa, passport)