INS Special Registration Information
Posted Sep 20, 2002

Last week, the MurthyBulletin reported on the new "Special Registration" requirements for certain nonimmigrants from five countries, in our article Nonimmigrant Registration for Selected New Arrivals. The requirements for individuals arriving from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, and Syria are now available on the INS WebSite. The INS WebSite has also been updated with explicit instructions regarding the new requirements and procedures.

The information now available via the INS WebSite includes: What is Registration, Who Must Register, How to Register, Where to Register, and Departure Procedures. It is important to note that the "Where to Register" information includes both the initial registration upon arrival and the subsequent, in-person registration required at the 30- to 40-day point after arrival. There is also a link to the list of designated INS interviewing offices available for this purpose. Not all INS offices have been designated for this special registration.

Those persons subject to the registration requirement should carefully review the departure information. Such individuals must notify an INS officer when they depart the U.S., whether temporarily or permanently. The departure procedure can only be completed through specific airports, seaports, and land ports. This list of allowed ports will be provided to the affected individuals at the time of entry. The list is also available on the INS WebSite, along with specific directions as to where to appear within the port.