Effective April 11, 2025, The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a new rule regarding alien registration. While most international students and scholars at Northeastern are already considered registered, there are specific scenarios in which action may be required.

What This Means for Most of Our Community

If you are currently in the U.S. and received a Form I-94 (electronic or paper) upon your most recent entry, you are already considered registered and do not need to take further action at this time. This includes the vast majority of F-1 and J-1 students and scholars, as well as individuals in TN, H-1B, O-1, and similar immigration categories.

New Requirement for Dependents Who Turn 14 in the U.S.

A key change under this new rule affects non-citizen children (dependents) who turn 14 while in the U.S.:

  • If your child entered the U.S. before their 14th birthday and is still present in the U.S. after turning 14, they must re-register with USCIS within 30 days of their 14th birthday, even if they were previously registered at entry.
  • This applies to dependents in F-2, J-2, H-4, TD, O-3, and other nonimmigrant statuses.
  • The new registration process involves submitting Form G-325R (Biographic Information - Registration), available on the USCIS Alien Registration page.

Canadian Citizens

Canadian citizens who entered the U.S. via a land port of entry and were not issued an I-94 should check their most recent entry record. If an I-94 was not provided, they may need to register using Form G-325R.

Important Reminders

Please contact the Office of Global Services for further questions.