Special Registration Departure Requirements
Posted Oct 18, 2002

The INS published a Federal Register notice on September 30, 2002 which set forth the condition that all individuals subject to the Special Registration requirement report to an approved port-of-entry prior to departure. A list of the approved ports-of-entry, as well as other information on the Special Registration requirement, is available on the INS WebSite.

The Special Registration requirements apply to nonimmigrant nationals of Sudan, Syria, Libya, Iran, and Iraq, as well as certain individuals meeting other specified criteria. At the present time, in addition to nationals of the countries named, it is interpreted to include male citizens and nationals of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen who are between 16 and 45 years of age, as well as other individuals who are identified as possible security risks. The September 13, 2002 MurthyBulletin reported on this matter in our article, Nonimmigrant Registration for Selected New Arrivals, available on MurthyDotCom.

Purportedly, a confidential INS memo leaked to the press proposed expanding the number of countries subject to Special Registration. There also may be other requirements for Special Registration for any other foreign national who has engaged in certain activities. The specified activities are: unexplained trips to designated countries, other unexplained travel, and prior non-immigrant visa overstays.