USCIS Issues Final Memorandum on Definition of “Internationally Recognized” for P-1 Classifications

In January 2011, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a draft policy memorandum (PM) entitled “Clarifying Guidance on Definition of ‘Internationally Recognized’ for the P-1 Classification; Revisions to the Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) Chapter 33.5(a) AFM Update AD 11-03,” and proposing to revise AFM Chapter 33.5(a) to provide guidance for processing and adjudicating Forms I-129, Petitions for Nonimmigrant Worker, filed on behalf of P-1 nonimmigrants with regard to whether the definition of “internationally recognized entertainment groups” encompasses only foreign-based groups. USCIS sought public comments on the draft PM and has now issued the PM in final form. This PM supersedes prior policy guidance regarding the definition of “internationally recognized entertainment groups” and updates the AFM.

The final Policy Memorandum (PM) can be downloaded here.