Special Registration
Effective April 28, 2011, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has eliminated the list of countries whose nationals have been subject to registration under the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS)-thus ending the NSEERS registration process. The requirements listed below are no longer in effect.
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Special Registration (also know as the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System, or NSEERS) was put in place to comply with a U.S. government requirement for a comprehensive entry-exit system. Through the Special Registration system, the U.S. government keeps track of certain nonimmigrant visitors who enter the country as well as some visitors already here. These individuals are required to register with immigration authorities either at a U.S. port-of-entry or a designated Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office.
The individuals who must comply with these requirements are those who have been fingerprinted, photographed and interviewed about their plans during their stay in the U.S. This may have occurred when they entered the U.S. or if they were part of the special call-in registration process conducted in 2003. If there is a handwritten “FIN” number or if “NSEERS” appears on the back of your I-94 card or above your visa stamp, you are subject to these requirements. Citizens from over 144 different countries have been selected for Special Registration. If you are not certain whether this applies to you, please make an appointment to see a Berkeley International Office Adviser about your situation.
For more information about special registration requirements, see Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special Registration page.
Interviews
You may be required, at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to report in person to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office and show that you are following your travel plans or the statement of intentions made when you entered. You will receive separate notice to the last address you reported to DHS if you are required to report to an ICE office during your stay.
Change of Address
You must notify the DHS within 10 days of a change of address. This notification can be done by filling out and mailing a change address form for aliens subject to special registration, Form AR-11SR. F-1 and J-1 visa holders do not use this form; they must update their address as follows:
- Students should report a change of address through Bearfacts
- J-1 Scholars and Professors should report a change of address to department administrative contact within 10 days of your move.
Travel
You must register your departure before you exit the U.S. In order to do so, you must appear in person before an inspecting officer at a designated port of departure and leave from that port on the same day.
Failure to comply with Special Registration Requirements
If you fail to comply with these registration requirements, you will be considered to be out of status. You may be subject to arrest, detention, fines and/or removal from the US. This could impact any future plans you may have to apply for any immigration-related benefits. Decisions regarding the impact of any noncompliance will be made on an individual, case by case basis.
Some individuals who have traveled and failed to follow the exit procedures are facing difficulties either when they apply for a new visa at the consulate over seas or when they try to re-enter the US at the port of entry.
