New USCIS Alien Registration Rule from April 2025 – What Indian Families on H-1B, H-4, L-1, L-2 Visas Need to Know Starting April 11, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a new alien registration requirement. If you’re an Indian family living in the U.S. on H-1B, L-1, H-4, or L-2 visas, especially with dependent children, this article is for you.
We’ve broken it down in a simple FAQ format, keeping Indian parents in mind, especially those new to U.S. immigration processes.
To be safe, follow USCIS guidance or consult an immigration attorney.
What is Alien Registration?
USCIS now requires all non-U.S. citizens (aliens) who are staying in the U.S. for 30 days or more to register by submitting Form G-325A online through a USCIS account.
This is being done to ensure every non-citizen in the U.S. is properly recorded in the system, especially those who haven’t been fingerprinted or had their biometric data collected before.
Does my H-4 or L-2 child need to register?
Yes. Here's how it works depending on your child’s age:
So, even children under 14 on H-4 or L-2 must register. No biometrics needed for them.
If your child is 14 or older, they must register and complete biometrics at a USCIS Application Support Center.
What if my child just turned 14?
If your child:
- Was already in the U.S. on H-4 or L-2, and
- Turned 14 on or after April 11, 2025
Then you have 30 days from their birthday to:
- Submit the alien registration (Form G-325A)
- Schedule and attend a biometrics appointment
If your child was already 14 as of April 11, 2025, the 30-day countdown starts from April 11.
What about parents on H-1B, H-4, or L-1, L-2?
In most cases: ❌ No registration required for primary visa holders like H-1B or L-1 employees.
Why? Because these adults have already provided biometrics:
At U.S. consulate interviews, and/or
During USCIS processes like visa extensions, EAD, or green card filings
Only if a primary visa holder has never provided biometrics to USCIS (rare cases), they may be required to register. But for most, no action is needed.
What if my child was born in the U.S. but is an Indian citizen?
This is a rare edge case, but important.
If your U.S.-born child has Indian or foreign citizenship, never traveled abroad, and never re-entered the U.S. via port of entry, USCIS may not have their entry data or biometrics. In such cases, you may need to register them.
To be safe, follow USCIS guidance or consult an immigration attorney.
What about Green Card holders (Lawful Permanent Residents)?
❌ No registration required. Green card holders are already registered with USCIS through:
- Form I-485 (adjustment of status)
- Form I-90 (green card replacement/renewal), which includes biometrics
✅ Registration Biometrics Required Only if the kid is above 14 years and never did the biometrics then its required but its an edge case because they will have to initiate the I-901 form. To be safe, follow USCIS guidance or consult an immigration attorney.
What if my child already has an I-94 or went for visa stamping recently?
Great question!
Even if your child:
- Has a valid I-94, or
- Recently went for H-4/L-2 visa stamping and gave biometrics at the U.S. consulate its not required.
✅ There’s no harm in registering again.
USCIS has confirmed:
Submitting registration again will not cause issues. There are no penalties or risks for duplicate entries. It simply helps them ensure that every non-citizen physically in the U.S. is accounted for in their system.
To be safe, follow USCIS guidance or consult an immigration attorney.
Still confused? Drop your questions in the comments or check with an immigration lawyer. Better safe than sorry — especially when it comes to USCIS compliance!