Trump announcement for Green card holders need ‘Real ID’ to fly within US from May 7 or face fine
According to the U.S. DHS, Real ID-compliant driver licenses or state IDs typically feature a star, a flag or the word “Enhanced.”
Are you a green card holder? Starting May 7, 2025, you will be required to show a Real ID if you want to board a domestic flight within the United States.
Travellers will need to ensure that their driver’s license or state-issued identification card is Real ID compliant.
Otherwise, they will need to carry a valid passport even to travel within the country. If a traveler shows a non-compliant state ID and has no acceptable alternative, they may face delays, additional scrutiny, or even be denied entry beyond airport security checkpoints, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said on its website.
What is a Real ID?
According to DHS, Real ID-compliant driver licenses or state IDs typically feature a star, a flag or the word “enhanced.” This form of identification is mandatory not only for boarding domestic flights but also for entering certain federal buildings.
Travelers age 18 and older must carry a Real ID unless they have another form of identification approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), such as:
U.S. passport
State-issued Enhanced Driver License DHS Trusted Traveler Card (Global Entry, NEXUS, Sentry, Fast)U.S. Department of Defense ID (including dependent ID)Permanent Resident Card Border Crossing Card Photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation or Indian tribe HSPD-12 PIV Card Foreign government-issued Passport Canadian Provincial Driver License or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Card Transportation Worker Identification Certificate USCIS Employment Authorization Card (Form I-766)U.S. Merchant Mariner Certificate Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
How to apply for a Real ID
To apply, you’ll need to visit your state’s driver licensing agency website. Each state’s requirements are slightly different, but you’re generally asked to provide the following:< Proof of identity, such as a U.S. birth certificate, valid U.S. passport, or permanent resident card< Proof of Social Security number, such as a Social Security card, W-2 form, or recent pay stub displaying the full number< Proof of residency, which can be a lease agreement, utility bill, mortgage statement, bank statement, or deedIt’s best to check your state’s specific document list before heading to the local office to avoid any delays.
Do immigrants, international students, and tourists need a Real ID?
DHS confirms in its FAQs that immigrants, international students, and tourists are not required to obtain a Real ID to enter or remain in the United States.
Their foreign passport and valid visa or I-94 record are considered sufficient for airport security screening and identification purposes.
Can international students and tourists travel without a Real ID?
Yes. International students and tourists travelling within the US can continue to use their foreign passports as valid identification for domestic flights and security procedures.
Do green card holders need Real ID?
Yes, they do.
According to the latest estimates from the Office of Homeland Security Statistics, about 12.8 million green card holders live in the United States. More than 2 million of them are Indians.
Green cards, officially known as permanent resident cards, are issued to foreign nationals who are allowed to live and work permanently in the United States.
Although green card holders are not U.S. citizens, they enjoy many of the same rights as U.S. citizens, including the ability to work legally, access public benefits, and live permanently in the country.
Despite these rights, many green card holders remain concerned about their status. Recent reports suggest that some permanent residents fear possible deportation, especially as immigration policies continue to change.
Green card holders are generally protected from removal but may face deportation under certain conditions, such as criminal convictions or violations of immigration laws. “Although they have strong legal protections, such as the right to a hearing before an immigration judge and the ability to appeal deportation orders, they can still be removed for reasons such as serious crimes, fraud, threats to national security, or abandoning their residency by being outside the US for a prolonged period of time,” Aurelia Menezes, partner at King Staub & Kasiva, Advocates & Attorneys, told Business Standard.