USCIS Registration Requirement and Guidance

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced a new registration requirement for certain individuals who are present in the U.S.  Any individual subject to the registration requirement must register by April 11, 2025. The list of individuals who may be present in the U.S., but who need to be “registered” are as follows:

• Individuals who entered the U.S. without inspection and admission or inspection and parole
• DACA applicants
• Individuals who hold Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
• Children who will turn 14 during their stay in the U.S.  (see below)
• Canadians staying in the U.S. for 30 or more days (see below)

As an employer, you may have foreign employees on your U.S. payroll, or foreign employees with children who are required to register with USCIS. Because many employers also have employees who have a form of work authorization that does not require employer sponsorship, the list of individuals required to register may extend beyond any employees who have an employer-sponsored visa. Please share this with all potentially impacted employees and their managers.  It is important to note that some of your employees may be reluctant to register for the fact that they (or a family member) have a status, such as TPS or DACA, that may be taken away at some point, or they may have a family member that is undocumented because they entered without inspection.   Should you have any questions regarding specific employee situations, please contact our office for additional guidance.

Children Turning 14 While in the U.S.

Most nonimmigrants who entered the U.S. at age 14 or older are already registered with USCIS. This includes individuals holding F-1, J-1, H-1B, O-1 visas and their dependents, especially those issued a Form I-94 upon entry. In those cases, no additional action is needed.

However, if your child turns 14 while already in the U.S., they are required to “re-register” with USCIS. This specifically applies to:

• H-4, J-2,  F-2, and O-3 dependents
• F-1 and J-1 visa holders who entered the U.S. under the age of 14

 If your child or dependent is a nonimmigrant who turns 14 while in the U.S., they must re-register with USCIS within 30 days of their birthday. This applies even if they were registered upon arrival (i.e., were issued a Form I-94).

Note Regarding Canadian Citizens Entering the U.S.

Canadian citizens who enter the U.S. for business purposes and stay for 30 days or longer must comply with the registration requirement. The Form I-94 serves as proof of registration for Canadians. NOTE for land or ferry travelers: A $6 fee applies, and it is possible to request an I-94 in advance at a land border using the CBP One mobile app.  For air travelers, an I-94 record is automatically issued, but it is important to verify that your I-94 has been issued on U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s I-94 website and then keep a printed copy of the I-94 with your travel documents.

Consequences of Failing to Register

It is important to follow USCIS’s re-registration requirements. Failure to do so can result in serious consequences. USCIS imposes penalties for willful failure to apply for registration, which may include a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to 6 months, or both. Additionally, all noncitizens 18 and older must carry proof of registration, such as an I-94 printout, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), or a green card, to avoid any violations.

How to Register with USCIS

1. Create a USCIS Online Account:  To begin the registration process, the individual (“registrant”) will need to create a USCIS online account. A parent or guardian of a child who needs to register may need to create an account in the child’s name. Follow these instructions on how to create a USCIS account.
2. Submit Form G-325R After creating an account, the registrant will complete and submit Form G-325R (Biographic Information) electronically through the USCIS online account. Form G-325R cannot be submitted by mail or in person—access the form G-325R here.
3. USCIS Review After submitting the form, USCIS will review the provided information and any existing records. If you have already been registered, USCIS will notify you, and no further action will be needed. If you need to register, USCIS may schedule a biometrics appointment.
4. Biometrics Appointment If required, USCIS will schedule you for a biometrics appointment at an Application Support Center (ASC). Biometrics, such as fingerprints, are part of the registration process. More details about what to expect at a biometrics appointment.
5. Receive Registration Documentation Once registered, and if biometrics are required, you will receive documentation proving that you have registered through their USCIS online account. You will be able to download and print your notice of registration.

Compliance with New Registration Requirement

If you have already complied with your duty to register and been fingerprinted in connection with your current stay in the United States of 30 days or more and have not reached your 14th birthday in the United States since registering, you do not need to submit this form at this time. Anyone from the list above who is not considered to have been registered with the U.S. government must register by no later than April 11, 2025.

 If your child has turned 14 since their last admission to the United States, you should register them by no later than April 11, 2025.

If your child will turn 14 while living in the U.S. pursuant to a nonimmigrant visa, it is essential to complete this new registration process within 30 days of their birthday.

Timely registration ensures that your dependent child is maintaining lawful immigration status, and helps to avoid penalties and ensure your child’s eligibility for future immigration benefits like visa extensions, changes of nonimmigrant status, or green card applications.

Assistance with the New Registration Process

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Gunn Menefee LLC for assistance.