A method and device for performing media independent handover (MIH) in a wireless communication system. The method includes, and the apparatus is configured to, generate a higher layer handover message, send the higher layer handover message encapsulated in a lower level formatted communication, set a higher layer timing device for a timeout period in connection with the sending of the encapsulated higher layer handover message, and resend the higher layer handover message encapsulated in a lower level formatted communication unless a higher layer acknowledgement is received before expiration of the timeout period.