REAL ID Guidance for International Students & Scholars Traveling Within the U.S.
As of May 12, 2025
May 12, 2025
Effective May 7, 2025, travelers in the U.S. must have a REAL ID-compliant form of identification to board domestic flights. REAL ID is a federal law requiring certain minimum-security standards for state-issued identity documents.
Colorado does not currently issue REAL ID-compliant driver licenses and IDs to individuals who are temporarily lawfully present in the state. This includes individuals in F-1, J-1, H-1B, O-1, and TN status and their dependents. U.S. Citizens, permanent residents, conditional permanent residents, asylees, and refugees receive REAL ID-compliant drivers licenses and IDs. DHS offers an online resource to check if a specific document is REAL ID compliant.
Expect REAL-ID requirements to make renewing your passport or applying for a visa to travel to a third country from within the U.S. more challenging, particularly if the consulate you need to visit is located outside of Colorado. For example, if your home country’s consulate temporarily keeps your passport while renewing your passport, you may not have it available for your return domestic flight.
To prepare, consider the following options:
Carefully review the list of acceptable IDs. There may be another form of ID that you can use.
Contact your airline and the TSA at your departure airport in advance to explain your situation and ask if a certified copy of your passport will be accepted or if they can provide alternative guidance.
Contact the consulate to inquire whether expedited processing is possible, allowing you to retain your passport prior to your return to Colorado.
Consider alternative transportation, such as train or car travel, if feasible.
