Visa question of the month - Alien Registration Requirement

Yes, in this constellation you actually have to register your daughter in the USA. The US government has introduced a new Alien Registration Requirement (ARR). This generally obliges all foreign nationals aged 14 and over who have not already been officially registered or fingerprinted as part of a US visa application or other procedure and who are staying in the United States for 30 days or longer to subsequently register with the USCIS. This also applies to children of visa holders (such as E-2 or L-2 etc.) who entered the country before their 14th birthday without submitting fingerprints and turn 14 during their stay.

Since your daughter will reach her 14th birthday in the US in June 2025 and you plan to stay in the country for more than 30 days after that, she is subject to this registration requirement. You or the other parent / guardian must initiate the registration for her. Registration must take place within 30 days of your daughter's 14th birthday.

What if you do travel?

Registration would not be required, for example, if your daughter has already been officially registered in another way, e.g. by submitting fingerprints when entering the country after reaching the age of 14. So if your daughter leaves the United States after her 14th birthday and before the 30-day period expires – and then re-enters the country – her fingerprints would be taken at the border upon re-entry, which is considered official registration (in combination with the new I-94 form). In this case, separate online registration would no longer be required. However, as you are not planning to travel, the registration requirement applies within the United States.

How to register your daughter online

Registration takes place online via the USCIS website: https://www.uscis.gov/alienregistration

1. You will need to create your own USCIS online account in your daughter's name. Each person who needs to register will need their own account.
2. Use this account to electronically submit form G-325R, Biographic Information. The form can only be submitted online via the account of the person to be registered.
3. After USCIS reviews the form, your daughter may be summoned for a biometrics appointment at an Application Support Center (ASC) in the United States. USCIS will notify you if a biometrics appointment is necessary. There is currently no fee for registration.
4. After successful registration and submission of biometrics (if required), you will receive a proof of registration (USCIS Proof of G-325R Registration) in your online account. Persons over the age of 18 must always carry this proof with them.

Please note that failure to comply with the obligation to register may have consequences under civil and criminal law. Also, failure to update a US address within 10 days of relocation may result in penalties.