Resources
Legal Authorities
8 CFR 214.1(c)(5) - Decision on application for extension or change of status
8 CFR 214.2(l) - Intracompany transferees
8 CFR 214.2(q)(5)(ii) - Petition for multiple participants
INA 101(a)(15)(L) - Definition of L nonimmigrant classification
INA 101(a)(44) - Definition of managerial capacity and executive capacity
INA 214(c)-Admission of nonimmigrants
INA 214(c)(12) - Fraud prevention and detection fee
INA 214(c)(2) - Petition of importing employer for L nonimmigrant
Forms
I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker
I-129S, Nonimmigrant Petition Based on Blanket L Petition
I-539,Application To Extend/Change Nonimmigrant StatusApplication To Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
Other Materials
Business Structures (PDF, 322.91 KB)
How to Use the USCIS Policy Manual Website (PDF, 905.13 KB)
Appendices
No appendices available at this time.
Updates
POLICY ALERT - L-1 Petitions for Intracompany Transferees Filed by a Sole Proprietorship
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify that a sole proprietorship may not file an L-1 petition on behalf of its owner because the sole proprietorship does not exist as a distinct legal entity separate and apart from the owner.
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Affected Sections
2 USCIS-PM L.5 - Chapter 5 - Ownership and Control
2 USCIS-PM L.10 - Chapter 10 - Period of Stay
POLICY ALERT - L-1 Intracompany Transferees
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify how USCIS determines eligibility for L-1 nonimmigrants seeking classification as managers or executives or specialized knowledge workers.Note: This update consolidates and updates guidance that was previously contained in the Adjudicator’sField Manual (AFM) Chapter 32, as well as related AFM appendices and policy memoranda. This update is not intended to change existing policy or create new policy.
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Affected Sections
2 USCIS-PM L - Part L - Intracompany Transferees (L)
Technical Update - Replacing the Term “Alien”
This technical update replaces all instances of the term “alien” with “noncitizen” or other appropriate terms throughout the Policy Manual where possible, as used to refer to a person who meets the definition provided in INA 101(a)(3) [“any person not a citizen or national of the United States”].
Affected Sections
1 USCIS-PM - Volume 1 - General Policies and Procedures
2 USCIS-PM - Volume 2 - Nonimmigrants
6 USCIS-PM - Volume 6 - Immigrants
7 USCIS-PM - Volume 7 - Adjustment of Status
8 USCIS-PM - Volume 8 - Admissibility
9 USCIS-PM - Volume 9 - Waivers and Other Forms of Relief
10 USCIS-PM - Volume 10 - Employment Authorization
11 USCIS-PM - Volume 11 - Travel and Identity Documents
12 USCIS-PM - Volume 12 - Citizenship and Naturalization
POLICY ALERT - Fee Schedule and Changes to Certain Other Immigration Benefit Request Requirements Final Rule
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is revising its policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to align with the Fee Schedule and Changes to Certain Other Immigration Benefit Request Requirements Final Rule, published in the Federal Register on August 3, 2020. This guidance becomes effective October 2, 2020.For information regarding implementation, see Appendix: 2020 Fee Rule Litigation Summary.
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Affected Sections
1 USCIS-PM A - Part A - Public Services
1 USCIS-PM B - Part B - Submission of Benefit Requests
2 USCIS-PM - Volume 2 - Nonimmigrants
7 USCIS-PM A - Part A - Adjustment of Status Policies and Procedures
7 USCIS-PM F - Part F - Special Immigrant-Based Adjustment
7 USCIS-PM M - Part M - Asylee Adjustment
11 USCIS-PM A - Part A - Secure Identity Documents Policies and Procedures
Technical Update - Moving the Adjudicator’s Field Manual Content into the USCIS Policy Manual
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating and incorporating relevant Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) content into the USCIS Policy Manual. As that process is ongoing, USCIS has moved any remaining AFM content to its corresponding USCIS Policy Manual Part, in PDF format, until relevant AFM content has been properly incorporated into the USCIS Policy Manual. To the extent that a provision in the USCIS Policy Manual conflicts with remaining AFM content or Policy Memoranda, the updated information in the USCIS Policy Manual prevails. To find remaining AFM content, see the crosswalk (PDF, 309.83 KB)between the AFM and the Policy Manual.
Affected Sections
1 USCIS-PM - Volume 1 - General Policies and Procedures
2 USCIS-PM - Volume 2 - Nonimmigrants
3 USCIS-PM - Volume 3 - Humanitarian Protection and Parole
4 USCIS-PM - Volume 4 - Refugees and Asylees
5 USCIS-PM - Volume 5 - Adoptions
6 USCIS-PM - Volume 6 - Immigrants
7 USCIS-PM - Volume 7 - Adjustment of Status
8 USCIS-PM - Volume 8 - Admissibility
9 USCIS-PM - Volume 9 - Waivers and Other Forms of Relief
11 USCIS-PM - Volume 11 - Travel and Identity Documents
12 USCIS-PM - Volume 12 - Citizenship and Naturalization
Technical Update - Replacing the Term “Foreign National”
This technical update replaces all instances of the term “foreign national” with “alien” throughout the Policy Manual as used to refer to a person who meets the definition provided in INA 101(a)(3) [“any person not a citizen or national of the United States”].
Affected Sections
1 USCIS-PM - Volume 1 - General Policies and Procedures
2 USCIS-PM - Volume 2 - Nonimmigrants
6 USCIS-PM - Volume 6 - Immigrants
7 USCIS-PM - Volume 7 - Adjustment of Status
8 USCIS-PM - Volume 8 - Admissibility
9 USCIS-PM - Volume 9 - Waivers and Other Forms of Relief
10 USCIS-PM - Volume 10 - Employment Authorization
11 USCIS-PM - Volume 11 - Travel and Identity Documents
12 USCIS-PM - Volume 12 - Citizenship and Naturalization
Version History
No historical versions available.