Below are frequently asked questions about the registration requirement, which officially goes into effect on April 11, 2025. The attorneys at Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm are continuously monitoring the timeline and implementation of the new process, and will include updates when further guidance is issued, or as new developments occur.
Please note that the information contained in these FAQs is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. We recommend consulting with an attorney to seek legal advice to consider your specific circumstances.
FAQ 1: Do I need to register?
All non-U.S. citizens are subject to the registration requirement. However, individuals listed below are not required to take any additional steps to “register.” You are required to carry evidence of the below documents with you at all times after April 11, 2025 (see FAQs 10-11).
- Any lawful permanent resident of the United States.
- Foreign nationals paroled into the U.S., even if their parole period has expired.
- Nonimmigrants with a Form I-94 or I-94W, even if the expiration of their period of admission has been reached. This can be either paper or electronic (www.cbp.gov/I94).
- Foreign nationals with immigrant or nonimmigrant visas who were present in the U.S. prior to their last date of arrival.
- Any foreign national with an employment authorization document (“EAD”).
- Any foreign national who provided fingerprints while applying for lawful permanent residence using the Form I-485, I-687, I-691, I-698 or I-700.
- Any foreign national with a Border Crossing Card.
While the above individuals are not required to register again, they are still required to report any change of address within 10 days of moving as explained in FAQ 17.
FAQ 2: Does this registration procedure apply to Canadians?
Yes. Canadians who enter the United States via land ports-of-entry and were not issued evidence of registration are required to complete the new registration process. Canadians who enter the U.S. via air receive a Form I-94 and thus will not need to take additional steps to register.
FAQ 3: What are the consequences of not registering?
Failure to comply can result in fines up to $5,000, imprisonment, and/or removal proceedings.
FAQ 4: My children are under 14 and on dependent visas. They also have I-94 documents. Are they required to register?
Yes, the rule requires parents or legal guardians to register their children within 30 days of turning 14 years of age, even if they were already previously fingerprinted and registered.
Note: It would be unusual for them to have previously completed fingerprinting as most children under 14 are NOT fingerprinted in the visa process.
If they are under 14, the parent or legal guardian must register on their behalf. If they are 14 or older, they must register themselves in their own myUSCIS account (see FAQ 7).
FAQ 5: My children are U.S. citizens. Do I need to register them?
No. This requirement does not apply to U.S. citizens
FAQ 6: I have an I-94 document but it is expired. Do I need to register?
No, for purposes of this requirement, an expired I-94 document is sufficient to show evidence of registration.
FAQ 7: How do I register?
For those required to register under the new procedure, they must create a myUSCIS online account and complete the Form G-325R, Biographic Information (Registration), which requests detailed biographic information about the person registering, including country of birth and citizenship, data of arrival in the United States, and anticipated date of departure.
It also asks for detailed biographic information about the person’s family members, including country of birth. After submission of the Form G-325R, USCIS will schedule the person for a biometric services appointment at one of the Application Support Centers (ASCs), where they will provide fingerprints, photographs, and signatures that the government will use to run background checks.
FAQ 8: Is there a deadline or fee for complying with registration?
The rule does not specify a deadline for registration. Currently, there is no fee to submit the form although the government is considering an eventual $30 fee to cover administrative costs.
FAQ 9: Should I register?
While this rule is in effect, all non-U.S. citizens are required to comply. Failure to comply may result in criminal and/or civil penalties, including up to $5,000 in fines and/or up to 30 days imprisonment.
For some non-U.S. citizens who do not hold a valid status or are otherwise deportable, registering could expose them to the risk of arrest and deportation, and lead to charges for immigration-related criminal offenses.
Note: Providing false or misrepresentative information on the Form G-325R carries serious immigration consequences, including a potential permanent bar.
FAQ 10: Do I need to have proof of registration?
Yes. As of April 11, 2025, all non-U.S. citizens who are 18 years or older must carry and have in their personal possession evidence of their registration at all times, or are otherwise subject to fines and imprisonment.
FAQ 11: What is considered proof of registration?
After registering in the myUSCIS account, individuals should receive a “Proof of G-325R Registration” in their myUSCIS account, which should be printed and carried as proof of registration, at all times after April 11, 2025.
Non-U.S. citizens who were already considered registered should carry one of the below documents at all times after April 11, 2025:
- Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record (www.cbp.gov/I94 and/or at the bottom of your I-797 Approval Notice)
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
- Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”)
- Valid, unexpired nonimmigrant DHS admission or parole stamp in a foreign passport
- Form I-95, Crewmen’s Landing Permit
- Form I-184, Alien Crewman Landing Permit and Identification Card
- Form I-185, Nonresident Alien Canadian Border Crossing Card
- Form I-186, Nonresident Alien Mexican Border Crossing Card
- Form I-221, Order to Show Cause and Notice of Hearing
- Form I-221S, Order to Show Cause, Notice of Hearing, and Warrant of Arrest of Aliens
- Form I-862, Notice to Appear, for those noncitizens against whom removal proceedings are being instituted
- Form I-863, Notice of Referral to Immigration Judge, for those noncitizens against whom removal proceedings are being instituted
FAQ 12: I have one of the listed documents. Should I complete registration (Form G-325R) just in case?
It is generally not advisable to complete Form G-325R if you already possess one of the documents listed in FAQ 1 and FAQ 11 that serves as evidence of compliance with this requirement.
FAQ 13: Do my children have to carry proof of registration?
Per the rule, only non-U.S. citizens who are 18 years or older must carry proof of registration at all times.
FAQ 14: Are there any exemptions?
There are very few exemptions outlined in the rule. The only two exemptions specifically mentioned are for “American Indians born in Canada who entered the United States under section 289 of the INA, and members of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas who entered the United States under the Texas Band of Kickapoo Act.”
FAQ 15: Will this rule face challenges in court?
There is a chance that the rule will face litigation in federal court. In that case, the rule could be altered, blocked or enjoined. The attorneys at Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm continue to monitor any potential lawsuits and will alert clients as circumstances evolve.
FAQ 16: I am not sure if I am already considered registered. What should I do?
Please contact the attorneys at Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm to discuss individual circumstances regarding the new registration requirement.
FAQ 17: How do I submit an address change to USCIS?
Address changes should be reported to USCIS through Form AR-11, within 10 days of moving, which can be completed through a myUSCIS online account. You may also submit a paper Form AR-11 by mail.
We generally advise our clients to maintain copies of Form AR-11 submissions, such as screenshots and confirmation through their myUSCIS online account after submission. If submitting by mail, it is generally advisable to make copies of your completed Form AR-11 before mailing and to mail it with certified return receipt.
Like the registration requirement, failure to update address changes with USCIS may also lead to civil and criminal penalties.
FAQ 18: I’m on a temporary work visa and I’m trying to submit an address change online. Where do I find my A Number?
Many visa holders do not have an A number in which case this section is generally not applicable. If you ever held an EAD or applied for adjustment of status, the A number is on the front of your EAD card or I-485 receipt notice; it is nine digits and also called the “USCIS #.”
FAQ 19: Do I need to carry physical evidence or can I carry a photo on my phone?
A digital copy may not be sufficient. It is generally advisable to carry physical evidence of compliance with the registration requirement.
Click here to download a printable, PDF version of these frequently asked questions.