Changes to the Special Registration Requirements for Certain Non-Immigrant Visitors to the US.

"Special Registration" is a procedure involving interviews, fingerprints and photographs that takes place at US Ports of Entry for certain individuals from certain countries. US Immigration Officers make that determination of who is subject at the time of presentation for entrance to the US. From November 2002 to May 2003, a series of separate "Call-In" registrations took place where fingerprints, photographs, and an in-person interview at a district office of Immigration was required. (See the lower section on "New Special Registration Requirements for Certain Non-Immigrant Visitors to the US" for details on the Call-In Special Registration program.)

On December 2, 2003, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the suspension of certain provisions of the Special Registration process. The suspension took effect immediately, and will remain indefinitely until such time as DHS publishes a new announcement.

Here is a highlight of the changes and suspensions:

The requirement that individuals specially registered at US Ports of Entry appear at an Immigration district office within 30 days after their admission to the US is SUSPENDED unless informed differently at the US Port of Entry.
The requirement that individuals subject to special registration appear at an Immigration district office for an annual re-registration interview is SUSPENDED until further notice.
Anyone subject to special registration who is an F or J lawful non-immigrant status monitored under SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System - Immigration database) and who changes his mailing address will have met the change of address requirement for special registration by reporting the change of address to his university (at Louisiana State University) through the International Services Office or the LSU Paws account. Completion of the federal forms AR-11 or AR-11SR are no longer required for this specific population.

Here are important provisions of Special Registration that REMAIN IN EFFECT:

Special registration at US Ports of Entry, including fingerprinting and photographs will continue for this population when determined by a US Immigration officer.
The requirement that all special registrants go through a departure procedure at the appropriate airport, seaport or land port before leaving the US will continue. (Check the web site given for more information on what ports special registrants are limited to exit the US.)
The Department of Homeland Security retains the right to announce future "Call-In" registrations.
Individuals who, prior to December 2, 2003, failed to appear for a 30 day re-registration interview, or an annual re-registration interview, remain subject to penalties as allowed under law.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE:

The Department of Homeland Security can, as a matter of discretion, identify any individual (even if not listed on the original "Call-In" list of countries for special registration) and notify specific individuals subject to special registration to appear for one or more additional continuing registration interview in those particular cases where it may be necessary to determine if the individual is complying with the conditions of his/her nonimmigrant visa status. Special registration at US Port of Entry will continue, along with the requirement that all individual subject to special registration must go through an exit procedure before departing the US.

We Understand new airports for departure have been added and deleted from the original list on 8/18/06.

The ISO will attempt to continue to update this web page with any new information or announcements concerning the Special Registration program as quickly as possible. Please note that failure to comply with any of the Special Registration requirements constitutes a violation of nonimmigrant status.

You may check the following web site at any time for the latest information:

Special Registration Requirements For Certain Non-Immigrant Visitors To The U.S. (NSEERS)

The US government announced “Special Registration” procedures for nationals of certain foreign countries.  These procedures represent a new system the government is implementing to track the arrival and departure of non-immigrants that come to the United States each year.  The registration procedures apply to anyone who has entered the US since September 11, 2002. These registration procedures applied to non-immigrants from certain designated countries or as designated by the US Department of State.

GROUP 1:  Citizens and nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Syria

GROUP 2: Non- immigrants designated by the US Department

GROUP 3: Any other non-immigrant male or female regardless of nationality, identified at ports of entry in accordance with 8CFR 264.1 (f) (2)

Additional information on Special Registration and what the registration requirements are is available by calling the USCIS Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.