Q. What is Special Registration?

A. A new regulation that requires non-immigrant males from selected countries to be fingerprinted, photographed and registered in the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS) that is administered by the Department of Justice and USCIS. This regulation also subjects the registered non-immigrant to certain follow-up reporting and departure control requirements.

Q. Who must comply with Special Registration requirements?

A. . If you were fingerprinted photographed and interviewed about your plans in the U.S. when you entered the U.S., or if you were part of the special call-in registration process.

If you are not sure whether these requirements apply to you, take a look at your I-94 card or at the visa stamp in your passport. If there is a hand-written "FIN" (Fingerprint Identification Number) or if "NSEERS" appears on the back of your I-94 card or above your visa stamp, you are subject to these requirements.

Q. What are the requirements of Special Registration?

A. If you are subject to Special Registration, you must:

• Register with USCIS upon entering the U.S.
  
• If you will remain in the U.S. for 30 days or longer, you must report in person to an immigration office for an interview between 30 - 40 days of entering the U.S. Do not report earlier than 30 days after you arrived as you will not be interviewed.
  
• If you will remain in the U.S. for more than 1 year, you must report in person to an immigration office for an interview within 10 days of the anniversary date when you were last admitted to the U.S.
  
• Continue to be interviewed by immigration on the anniversary date of your last admission to the U.S.
  
• Inform the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in writing of any change of address, change of employer or school within 10 days of the change by submitting a form AR-11 SR. When completing the form you should copy the "FIN" number that was written on your I-94 to the last line on the form where indicated. Mail the form to the address noted on the form. Keep a copy of the form for your records. Form AR-11 SR is available at http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/ar-11sr.htm.
  
• If you plan to leave the U.S. you must appear in person before an inspecting officer at a designated port of departure prior to leaving the country. A list of Designated Ports-Of-Departure (POD) can be found at http://www.ice.gov/graphics/enforce/imm/imm_sr.htm.

Q. Where must I go for the interview?

A. You can go to the Immigration office or sub-office closest to where you live or work. You do not need an appointment for your interview; but it is recommended that you plan to go in the morning.

A listing of District and Sub-office locations can be found at www.uscis.gov. You can also call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 or TTY at 1-800-767-1833 (for the hearing impaired) to locate the office and their hours of operation.

Q. Can I apply for a waiver of the Special Registration Requirement?

A. If you are unable to go to an interview you may request a waiver for all or part of the special registration requirements. There is no form to request a waiver. You would write to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection District Director and explain why you are unable to comply with the reporting requirement and provide any documents to support your request. Further information and a list of addresses for CBP Field Offices can be found at http://www.ice.gov/graphics/enforce/imm/imm_sr.htm.

Q. What will happen at the interview?

A. You will again be fingerprinted and photographed. The interviewing officer may ask you questions regarding your stay and the statement of intentions that you made when you were admitted to the U.S. You should bring your Form I-94 and any written documents available to demonstrate your legitimate stay in the U.S.

Q. What are the consequences for Non-Compliance with Special Registration Requirements?

A. Failure to comply with the requirements or other terms of your admission during your stay may subject you to arrest, render you to be out of status, deportable or prevent re-entry to the U.S. on future visits.

Some individuals who have traveled and failed to follow the exit procedures are facing difficulties either when they apply for a new visa at a consulate abroad or when they try to re-enter the U.S. at a port-of-entry.

See http://www.ice.gov/graphics/enforce/imm/imm_sr.htm for more information on special registration.