DHS Finalizes Online Registration and Biometrics Rule for Specific Foreign Nationals

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agency, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), has officially finalised a rule that locks in a new online registration and biometrics process for specific groups of foreign nationals living in the US. The rule, published this week, implements interim regulations that have been operating since April 2025. It targets individuals who are living in the country but lack standard, up-to-date immigration registration records on file with federal authorities. As per the published records, under the policy, those who qualify must log onto the DHS system, register their presence, and undergo mandatory background checks and biometrics collection (such as fingerprints). The agency emphasised that the finalised rule does not create any new registration obligations to new groups of people. Instead, it formally stabilises the system that was launched last year and introduces a few traveler-friendly updates. “On June 29, 2026, DHS published a final rule that adopts the Interim Final Rule (IFR) as final and makes additional procedural and technical changes to the regulations, such as updating the list of immigration forms and processes that meet the registration requirement. Aliens who are required to register but have not yet done so may continue to use Form G-325R, Biographic Information (Registration), to meet the requirement. For more information, see the final rule,” the agency said. “Additionally, the final rule is seeking comments on other potential changes to the regulations relating to the alien registration and fingerprinting. Comments on these other potential changes described in the preamble of the final rule must be submitted on or before Aug. 28, 2026,” it added.

Who exactly needs to register

The online registration requirement will only trigger if a foreign national plans to remain in the US for 30 days or more and falls into one of specific buckets, which include individuals who entered without inspection or anyone who crossed the US border without being formally processed by an immigration officer. The second category includes visa-exempt Canadian citizens who entered the US via a land border but were not issued a physical or digital Form I-94 entry document. Thirdly, those foreign national children who are 14 birthday while in the US must complete the online registration or re-registration process, even if they were registered by their parents under a different format when they were younger.

Who is exempted

For the vast majority of legal immigrants and visitors, the new rule changes nothing. The government clarified that you do not need to use this online registration system if you already hold valid, qualifying proof of registration. You are exempt from this online registration if you have a:

Valid US Visa or a standard Form I-94 entry document

Employment Authorisation Document (EAD / Work Permit)

Lawful Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)

Pending application for Adjustment of Status

Additionally, if an individual is subject to the rule but has already successfully completed the online registration during their current stay, they do not need to register a second time, the rules say.