As of April 11, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires certain non-U.S. citizens to complete the Alien Registration Requirement by filing Form G-325R, Biographic Information (Registration). Most international students will NOT need to complete this process.
Generally, F-1 and J-1 students and their dependents (F-2 and J-2) are exempt from completing Form G-325R due to registration and fingerprinting during their visa application process and issuance of a Form I-94 upon admission to the U.S..
However, dependent minors (F-2 or J-2) who were under 14 years old at the time of visa issuance and waived for fingerprinting may need to register if they have turned 14 since entering the U.S..
We have received some questions about this requirement, particularly from Canadian students who are exempt from the F-1/J-1 visa requirement. Although Canadian students do not obtain a visa, they do receive Form I-94 upon entry, which satisfies the alien registration requirement. No further action is needed unless specifically instructed by USCIS.
If you have concerns about your specific case, please schedule an appointment with an ISS advisor: www.hawaii.edu/issmanoa
Carrying Immigration Documents
Under U.S. federal immigration law [8 U.S. Code § 1304(e)], all noncitizens aged 18 and older are required to carry evidence of their lawful status at all times.
The most recent Form I-94 satisfies this requirement for F-1 and J-1 students. Print your Form I-94 from the U.S. CBP website: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov
Documents to Keep Readily Accessible (Not Required to Carry Daily)
The following documents do not need to be carried on a daily basis, but should be readily accessible:
- Valid passport
- Form I-20 (F-1) or Form DS-2019 (J-1)
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD) if on OPT
We recommend keeping clear, color photocopies of these documents for general day-to-day use, and to always carry the originals when traveling.
Starting May 7, 2025, all individuals—including F-1 and J-1 international students—must present REAL ID-compliant identification when flying domestically or accessing certain federal facilities in the U.S. Check if your state ID or driver license is REAL ID-compliant – look for a star symbol. A valid passport may be used if you do not have a REAL ID-compliant U.S. ID.
