Effective today, April 11, 2025, some foreign nationals in the United States will be required to register online with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and undergo biometrics collection and a background check. Please see here for USCIS’ published guidance on the requirement: Registration Requirement.
Most foreign nationals present in the United States are considered already registered and generally will not need to take further action under the new process. These include:
- Lawful permanent residents;
- Aliens admitted to the United States as nonimmigrants who were issued Form I-94 or I-94W (paper or electronic), even if the period of admission has expired;
- Aliens paroled into the United States under INA 212(d)(5), even if the period of parole has expired;
- All aliens present in the United States who were issued immigrant or nonimmigrant visas before their last date of arrival;
- Aliens whom DHS has placed into removal proceedings;
- Aliens issued an employment authorization document;
- Aliens who have applied for lawful permanent residence using Forms I-485, I-687, I-691, I-698, I-700, and provided fingerprints (unless waived), even if the applications were denied; and
- Aliens issued Border Crossing Cards.
Nevertheless, it is imperative that these foreign nationals carry documentation with them at all times which confirms that they are exempt from the registration requirement. They must also ensure that they report any change of address to USCIS within 10 days of moving. See below for further details.
Foreign Nationals Who Are Required to Register
Certain categories of foreign nationals will need to comply with the new registration requirement:
- Visa-exempt Canadian nationals who enter the United States for business or tourism at a land port of entry, who were NOT issued a Form I-94, and remain in the United States for 30 days or more;
- Foreign nationals who are in the United States for 30 days or more and who turn (or turned) 14 years of age while here, with certain possible exceptions; and
- Foreign nationals who entered the United States without inspection (known as EWI) and will remain in the United States for 30 days or more and are not already considered registered.
If you are subject to the registration requirement, you will need to:
- Create a personal account in myUSCIS; if the registrant is a child under 14, a parent or guardian must create the account for the child;
- Complete and submit USCIS Form G-325R, the online registration form; and
- If age 14 or older and not a Canadian visitor, appear at a USCIS Application Support Center for fingerprinting and photographing.
Requirement to Carry Proof of Compliance with Registration Requirement
It is mandatory for all foreign nationals in the United States who are age 18 or older, including those who are not required to register in the new online system to carry proof of compliance. Documents acceptable for this purpose include:
- A valid, unexpired Form I-94 admission record;
- A valid, unexpired U.S. Customs and Border Protection passport admission stamp;
- A Form I-551 Permanent Resident Card (“green card”);
- A Form I-766 Employment Authorization Document (EAD); and
- A Form I-185 or I-186 Border Crossing Card for citizens of Canada and Mexico.
Those who register in the new system will be issued a document entitled “Proof of Alien Registration” in their myUSCIS account. Each registrant must print that document out and carry it with them at all times.
Change of Address
All non-U.S. citizens, including lawful permanent residents, are required to notify DHS of any change of address within 10 days of such change. The only foreign nationals exempt from this requirement are nonimmigrants in the A (foreign diplomats) and G (representatives of international organizations) visa categories, and nonimmigrants who are not required to possess a visa and are in the United States for fewer than 30 days.
You may submit a change of address to USCIS by the following methods:
- File a change of address request online through a USCIS online account. This method is encouraged by USCIS.
- File Form AR-11 by mail.
See here for details: Change of Address | USCIS.
It is advisable that you retain a record of your address change request to confirm that you have complied with the requirements.
Penalties for Failure to Comply
Foreign nationals who fail to comply with the registration requirement, address change notification requirements and/or those who fail to carry proof that the registration requirement has been satisfied could face significant consequences, including fines and criminal penalties. Noncompliance may also affect one’s ability to remain in the United States and one’s ability to reenter the United States after travel abroad.