To OP, I would say
the safest bet is take your Canadian Permanent Residence Card, the expired DL and passport with you. Since you are taking a domestic trip, things are much more simple than an international one. If your student ID wants to tag along, that's fine with me.
Originally Posted by
tev9999
Take the expired DL and student ID. Leave the passport at home if it has an expired visa. No point in giving TSA the chance to make the "Big Catch" with an "illegal immigrant" on an overstay.
What you had described may have more to do with a tourist visa (overstay and such). Student visa doesn't work like that.
Visa is for entry purpose only. The (international) student only has to present a valid visa upon entry the country. An expired student visa has nothing to do with overstay nor illegal "immigrant." However, the student has to make sure all the paperwork/documents are current during the stay so s/he won't be out-of-status. Current paperwork (I-20, passport,...etc) has nothing to do with a valid visa.
For the sake of government-issued ID, I say even an expired visa carries more weight than college ID.
On a side note, I am not sure what kind of student visa you have since you are a dependent on your mom's work visa. You better look it up and see what other rules apply to your status/visa. Also,
don't forget your I-20 for your trip since you are traveling more than 50 (?) miles from your home base.
Meanwhile, renew your DL ASAP so you won't have similar dilemma next time around.
Enjoy Houston!
ps. Don't get across the border while in Texas since your expired visa isn't good for reentry!
Originally Posted by
lin821
That's not correct. I believe you are mixing two different things together here: student visa and I-20.
The international student paperwork for status (meaning I-20) is different from student visa, which is used for entry purpose ONLY. The attending school issues you the I-20. Before leaving the States for international travels, the international student needs to get the endorsement from the school. In other words, the school officials sign your I-20.
Schools don't sign nor authorize visa.
As for student visa, you don't get it from the school. US government/proper authority issues the visa. Upon entry/re-entry the country, the immigration/customs will check both your student visa (required for entry) and I-20 (supporting document to the student visa, I suppose).
Both student visa and I-20 have to be current upon entry (or re-entry) to the country. If the student visa needed renewal, you apply for renewal through the embassy (or the designated office or whatever you call it). As for I-20 renewal, you turn in your application to the school. Without current paperwork (both I-20 and student visa), your entry/reentry will be denied. (Sometimes even with current paperwork, you can be denied for entry/reentry for other reasons as well. But that's for another thread.
)
Hope I make the distinction clear now.