Immigration Update: Mandatory USCIS Foreign National Registration – 30 Days to Register Children.

  • Publication date March 14, 2025

On Jan. 20, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, directing the Department of Homeland Security to ensure foreign nationals are registered with the immigration services.  A new USCIS registration process opened on March 13, 2025, on the USCIS website.

Registration required under the new process for children under 14 or those who turned 14 since entering the US.

Children who were issued visas or I-94s when under 14 must now register because they did not have their fingerprint biometrics captured by a US consulate or US immigration services. Parents or guardians must submit registration applications on behalf of children under 14 within their first 30 days in the US or by April 12, 2025, whichever is later. Children who turned 14 after entering the US must independently register under the new process within their first 30 days in the US or by April 12, 2025, whichever is later. Children who were registered before they turned 14 by their parents will need to reregister once they turn 14.

Registration not required if issued an I-94 or visa stamp and other classes.

If you are in the US and were issued an I-94 or visa stamp by a US Consulate the new registration process does not apply to you.  USC’s most common foreign national visa categories such as H-1B/H-4, B-1/B-2, TN/TD, O, E-3, E-2, E-1, L-2, F-1/F-2, and J-1/J-2 are already registered and no further action is required. Registration is also not required for lawful permanent residents or those who completed biometrics fingerprinting for an employment authorization document or I-485 adjustment of status application. But, children regardless of visa category will be required to register if they were under 14 when they received their I-94 or visa stamp.  Consult with immigration counsel if you have questions on whether you are required to register under the new process.

Additional registration related requirements – Address Change and Proof of Registration for all foreign nationals.

All foreign nationals, regardless of immigration status, are required to notify the USCIS of their change of address within 10 days of the address change. A change of address can be filed online with the USCIS at https://www.uscis.gov/addresschange.  Additionally, all foreign nationals over the age of 18 are required to carry evidence of their registration on their person. This requirement should not be taken lightly given the immigration services’ mandate for extreme vetting and increased enforcement priorities.

For most of USC’s foreign nationals, evidence of registration will be a copy of their I-94 card and passport or their EAD whether expired or not. Carrying the physical documents can be inconvenient especially with the fear of losing these not easily replaceable documents. We recommend that, at a minimum, you have a copy of your registration documents saved on your phone in a quickly and easily accessible location. For example, save a copy of your I-94, visa stamp and passport biographic page in a folder labeled “Proof of Registration” in your photo album.

Failing to update the USCIS of an address change or not having proof of registration is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both. In addition, anyone who has not complied with the change-of-address notification requirements is deportable unless they establish that such failure was reasonably excusable or was not willful.

How to Register Under the New Process.

Registration is initiated on the USCIS’ webpage, https://www.uscis.gov/alienregistration.  It requires setting up an online account, filing registration form G-325R, and for those 14 or older, attending a biometrics appointment. Proof of registration will be posted on the online account in a downloadable PDF form. 

FAQs

I have an I-94 but my visa stamp is expired. Do I need to register?
A: No, you are within the enumerated class of registered foreign nationals unless you were under 14 when your I-94 was issued.

My I-94 has expired and my extension of status/change of status is pending with the USCIS. Do I need to register?
A: No, you are within the enumerated class of registered foreign nationals unless you were under 14 when your I-94 was issued.

Can I create one USCIS account to register all my children under 14?
A: No, each child must have their own individual account.

My child has a visa stamp, was issued an I-94, turned 14 after we entered the US, but has never been fingerprinted by the immigration services. Is my child required to register?
A: Yes, your child will need to independently register within their first 30 days in the US or by April 12, 2025, whichever is later. Your child will then be scheduled for a biometrics appointment.
This child has been in the US for more than 30 days as of March 13, 2025. Is there a deadline by which they must register?
A: Yes, your child must register by April 12, 2025.

My child is under 14, has a visa stamp and was issued an I-94. Does my child need to register?
A: You are required to set up an individual USCIS online account on your child’s behalf in their name and register them within their first 30 days in the US or by April 12, 2025, whichever is later. Children under 14 will not be scheduled for a biometrics appointment. Your child will need to reregister once they turn 14.
This child has been in the US for more than 30 days as of March 13, 2025. Is there a deadline by which I must register them?
A: Yes, you must register them by April 12, 2025. Your child will need to reregister once they turn 14.

My child will turn 14 this year. Does my child need to register?
A: Your child will need to register within 30 days of turning 14. Keep in mind that if your child has already been in the US for at least 30 days, you must register for them by April 12, 2025.  Your child will need to reregister once they turn 14. Make sure to check the USCIS website for updates.

I am a permanent resident aka green card holder. Am I required to register?
A: No, you are within the enumerated class of registered foreign nationals.

I am in H-1B status but last entered the US on an F-1 visa after I turned 14. Am I required to register?
A: No, because you were issued an I-94 placing you within the enumerated class of registered foreign nationals. This is true regardless of whether you are currently in the same nonimmigrant visa status you first entered the US in.

Am I required to register if I last entered the US on a visa stamp before there was a fingerprint requirement and now have an unexpired I-94 in H-1B/F-1/J-1/TN/O-1 status?
A: No, because you were issued an I-94 placing you within the enumerated class of registered foreign nationals.

I am a Canadian citizen and I entered the US at a land border without a border crossing card and was not issued an I-94. Do I need to register?
A: Yes, if you have been in the US for at least 30 days or will be in the US for at least 30 days, you must register by April 12, 2025.

I am a Canadian citizen who entered the US without a visa stamp but was issued an I-94 in H-1B/TN/ F-1/ J-1/ O status. Do I need to register?
A: No, because foreign nationals issued I-94s are within the enumerated class of registered foreign nationals.

I am a Canadian citizen and I entered the US with a Border Crossing Card. Do I need to register?
A: No, because you were fingerprinted when applying for the border card.
What if I then changed status to H-1B/TN/ F-1/ J-1/ O?
A: No, because you were fingerprinted when applying for the border card and were issued an I-94 placing you within the enumerated class of registered foreign nationals.

I filed an I-485 adjustment of status application. Am I required to register?
A: No, you are within the enumerated class of registered foreign nationals.

I applied for TPS and received a TPS approval and I-94. Am I required to register?
A: No, you are within the enumerated class of registered foreign nationals.
What if I applied for TPS and have not received an approval?
A: This depends on your immigration status at the time you applied for TPS. You should consult with competent immigration counsel to advise you.

I am a Dreamer. Am I required to register?
A: If you previously applied for and received a DACA employment authorization document (even if currently expired), you do not need to register.  You should consult with competent immigration counsel to advise you if you do not fall under this group.

What proof do I have that I successfully registered under the new process?
A: The USCIS will post a notice (USCIS Proof of G-325R Registration) that provides proof of your registration to your USCIS online account once you have registered and provided your biometrics (if required). You will be able to download a PDF version of the notice and can print it.

When must I notify the USCIS of my change of address?
A: You must notify the USCIS of your change of address within 10 days of your change of address. You can file your change of address online with the USCIS at https://www.uscis.gov/addresschange.

What is the penalty for not registering or changing my address?
A: Noncompliance is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both. In addition, anyone who has not complied with the change-of-address notification requirements is deportable unless they establish that such failure was reasonably excusable or was not willful.

Where can I find additional information on the registration process?