Frequently Asked Questions
BCIS - SPECIAL REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
The United States has a proud tradition of welcoming immigrants
and visitors. This tradition is renewed and enriched by each and
every law-abiding immigrant and visitor. This same tradition is
reflected in the United States Government's duty to serve and protect
its citizens, residents, and foreign visitors.
Terrorist attacks have claimed the lives of thousands of Americans,
as well as nationals from many other countries. As a result, new
regulations have gone into effect to help ensure the safety of all
persons in the United States. These regulations require the Immigration
and Naturalization Service (INS) to register certain individuals
in the interest of national security or law enforcement.
We understand that in many cases these procedures may cause inconvenience.
However, your cooperation is requested so that our vision in which
citizens, immigrants and visitors can live without fear of terrorist
threats will become a reality.
Special Registration Procedures require:
- Being registered upon arrival to and departure from the United
States;
- Being interviewed at an INS office if remaining in the United
States for more than 30 days and/or for more than one year;
- Notifying the INS within ten days of any changes regarding place
of residence, employment or educational institution.
Who has to follow the special registration procedures?
As part of the nonimmigrant visa application process, consular officers
at U.S. Embassies and Consulates are required to identify individuals
who will have to follow the special registration requirements in
the United States. Likewise, INS officers at ports of entry may
identify nonimmigrants who will have to follow the special registration
requirements.
The above will apply only to persons who want to enter the United
States for a temporary period of time (such as a tourist or a student,
etc.). Persons who have been approved to stay permanently in the
United States do not have to follow special registration procedures
at this time.
When I apply for a visa to enter the United States, how will
I know if I will have to follow the special registration procedures?
Whenever possible you will be told by a consular officer as part
of the process of obtaining your nonimmigrant visa. The INS immigration
inspectors will notify you each time you enter the United States
if you are required to follow the special registration procedures.
What if I don't need a visa?
Whenever you apply for admission to the United States the INS immigration
inspectors will notify you if you are required to follow the special
registration procedures.
Will I be delayed at the airport upon arrival in the U.S?
We cannot know how long you will be delayed because it will depend
upon how many persons will be receiving special registration processing
on the same day that you arrive in the U.S. We recommend you leave
at least three hours between arrival time and a connecting flight.
ENTERING THE UNITED STATES
What will happen when I come to the United States?
An INS officer will inform you if you will need to follow the special
registration procedures. You will be instructed to go to an area
where you will be fingerprinted, photographed, asked to show documents,
and interviewed as to the length and purpose of your stay in the
United States. Additional information on how to follow the special
registration procedures will be provided to you when you are registered.
If I'm traveling with family members, what will happen to them
when we enter the United States?
You may be temporarily separated from your family for the length
of time required to carry out the described special registration
procedural steps. Depending on the individual circumstances, some
or all of your family members may also be required to follow the
special registration procedures, in which case they too will be
fingerprinted and photographed.
WHILE YOU ARE IN THE U.S.
Am I required to do anything while I am in the United States?
Yes. If you are subject to the special registration procedures
and you remain in the United States for 30 or more days, you need
to go to the nearest INS district or sub-office that has responsibility
for the area where you are staying. You can do this any time beginning
on the 30th calendar day from the day that you entered the United
States and up to the 40th calendar day. You will not need an appointment.
What if I'm traveling to different places in the United States
during my visit?
You can be interviewed at the INS district or sub-office closest
to where you are travelling. You will need to bring documents to
show who and where you are visiting. What will happen to me if I
stay more than 30 days in the country and I do not report to the
district office as required? Depending on the circumstances, you
may be subject to arrest and detention, fines, and/or removal from
the United States. You could also be denied re-entry into the United
States for many years.
LEAVING THE UNITED STATES
What do the special registration procedures mean for me when
I leave or travel outside of the United States?
If you leave the United States on or after October 1, 2002, it
is your responsibility to make certain that your departure is known
and documented by an INS inspecting officer, each and every time
you leave. On of after October 1, 2002, you are required to report
your departure from the United States by appearing before an INS
inspecting officer on the same day that you leave.
These new regulations include restrictions as to which airports,
seaports or land entry/exit points that you can use to depart from
the United States. When you are initially registered, you will be
given a list of those airports, seaports or overland exit ports
you can use to leave the United States.
What will happen to me if I cannot or if I choose not to report
my departure from the United States?
Depending on your personal circumstances, you might not be permitted
to return to the United States. A consular officer or an INS inspecting
officer will decide if the reasons you give for failing to report
your departure satisfy the conditions set by the Attorney General
and the Secretary of State that would allow you to re-enter the
country.
If I have already registered at an immigration office and then
I leave the United States, do I have to register again when I return?
Yes. You will have to begin this process again each time you enter
the United States.
Please contact the Consular
Section at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for more information, or
you can call the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service:
INS National Customer Service
Center
(800) 375-5283
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