Special Registration - Part of the NSEERS Program

What is Special Registration?

As part of the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS) program, Special Registration is an entry and exit process involving interviews, fingerprints and photographs that takes place at U.S. ports of entry for certain individuals. These individuals must follow special procedures upon exiting the United States.  They also may be called for an interview at your local DHS office while in the United States. To date, individuals from more than 150 countries have been registered through the NSEERS program.

Special Registration entails:

• Registering upon arrival to and departure from the United States and
• Notifying DHS within ten days of any changes regarding your place of residence, employment or educational institution.

All Special Registration Requirements 

Who is subject to Special Registration?

As part of the visa application process, consular officers at U.S. Embassies and Consulates are required to identify individuals who are subject to Special Registration requirements. Likewise, DHS officers at U.S. ports of entry may identify visa holders who must complete these Special Registration requirements.

Special Registration applies only to visa holders who want to enter the United States for a temporary period of time (such as tourists or students).  People who have been approved to stay permanently in the United States do not have to complete Special Registration procedures at this time.

If you have been interviewed, fingerprinted, photographed and given a FINS number (usually written on your visa or I-94) by DHS, you are subject to Special Registration.

Special Registrants have the responsibility to learn, understand and comply with these procedures. Allowing sufficient time for this process is essential. Failure to comply jeopardizes your visa status, your ability to remain in the United States legally and can result in deportation as well as being barred future re-entry to the United States.

Entering the United States

What will happen when I arrive in the United States?

A DHS officer will inform you whether or not you will need to complete Special Registration. You will then be instructed to go to an area where you will be finger-printed, photographed, asked to show documents, and interviewed about the length and purpose of your stay in the United States. DHS also will give you a FINS number; it is usually written on your visa or I-94. More information about Special Registration will be given to you during this registration process.

If I'm traveling with family members, what will happen to them when we arrive in the United States?

You may be temporarily separated from your family for the length of time required to carry out the described Special Registration procedures. Depending upon individual circumstances, some or all of your family members may also have to complete Special Registration. If so, they will also be fingerprinted and photographed and given a FINS number.

What if I decide that I do not want to complete the Special Registration Requirements?

If you decide that you do not want to or cannot complete the Special Registration requirements, you may be allowed to withdraw your application for admission into the United States.  Such a decision on your part will result in not being granted permission to enter the United States. You may still be fingerprinted, photo-graphed and interviewed by a DHS inspecting officer as part of the withdrawal process.

While in the United States

What if the information I gave during Special Registration changes because I change my address, my school or place of employment?

You must notify DHS of any changes of address, employment, or school that you are attending, within 10 calendar days from the time the change occurs. Submitting a Form AR-11, Alien's Change of Address Card, does this.

Is there anything I can do to legally opt out of these Special Registration procedures?

Not really. Only Special Registrants who make frequent trips to the United States may may apply for a waiver of the departure portion of the Special Registration procedures upon demonstrating "good cause, exigent or unusual circumstances."

Waivers can be requested via a letter to DHS detailing  why you feel that you should be excused from the Special Registration requirements. Factors to be considered include the "mode of travel, business and economic concerns, purpose of travel or other factors as determined by the [DHS] director."

You must continue to follow all Special Registration requirements until DHS notifies you in writing that your waiver request has been approved. Denial of this waiver request cannot be appealed.

How to request a waiver: then look at the right hand column (titled "Related Links") for "Walkaway Materials" and click on that. After the .PDF file opens (you'll need the Adobe Acrobat Reader), scroll down to page 2 for the Waivers section. Follow the instructions.

Leaving the United States

What do the Special Registration Requirements mean for me when I leave or travel outside the United States?

If you are subject to Special Registration (i.e. you have a FINS number and DHS told you to register your U.S. departure), it is your responsibility to ensure that your U.S. departure is known and documented by a DHS inspection officer, each and every time you leave.

The exit registration must take place at your last airport stop prior to leaving the United States. It is suggested that you plan to arrive at that airport at least 1-2 hours before you normally would to allow time for this process.

If I have already registered with DHS and then I leave the United States, do I have to register again when I return?

Yes. You must complete Special Registration each time you enter and depart the United States.

What happens if I forget or choose not to register my U.S. departure?

If you do not register with DHS on the way out of the United States (either by forgetting to do so or by conscious choice) and you later apply for re-entry, DHS will know that you failed to register, question you about why you did not register and may send you back to your point of origin. Why? Because a failure to register an exit automatically invalidates your visa. In these situations, it is best to apply for a new visa and explain to the consular officer why you failed to register. If the consular officer is satisfied with your explanation, a new visa may be issued.  Remember, a new visa does not eliminate your Special Registration requirement.

If you are not sure whether you must register upon departure, the only person qualified to advise you is a DHS officer. Airline employees, travel agents and student advisors are not DHS officers and you cannot rely upon them to know the specific requirements of your case.