Policy Memoranda

This page provides access to various policy and procedural memoranda, which guides USCIS adjudicators as they process applications and petitions for immigration benefits while still protecting national security. In addition to the USCIS Policy Manual, USCIS policy memoranda contain the official policies of USCIS and assist immigration officers in rendering decisions. These policy memoranda are to be followed by USCIS officers in the performance of their duties but do not remove their discretion in making adjudicatory decisions. The policy memoranda do not create any substantive or procedural rights or benefits that are legally enforceable by any party against the United States, or its agencies or officers or any other person.

Policy memoranda that have been partially or fully superseded by the USCIS Policy Manual have been stamped and archived in the USCIS History and Library collection. If you have bookmarked links to affected memos, you will now be redirected to the USCIS Policy Manual where you may find current policy.

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Language Access in Credible Fear Screenings (PDF, 218.78 KB)

July 06, 2022

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide updated guidance on providing language access in credible fear interviews.

Rescission of Matter of Z-R-Z-C- as an Adopted Decision; agency interpretation of authorized travel by TPS beneficiaries (PDF, 3.36 MB)

July 01, 2022

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) rescinds its designation of the decision of the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) in Matter of Z-R-Z-C-2 as an Adopted Decision and updates its interpretation of the effects of authorized travel by Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries, in accordance with the reasoning contained in this memorandum.

Rescission of 2017 Policy Memorandum PM-602-0142 (PDF, 290.6 KB)

February 04, 2021

USCIS is rescinding PM-602-0142 “Rescission of the December 22, 2000 ‘Guidance memo on H1B computer related positions."

Matter of Z-R-Z-C- (PDF, 268.36 KB), Adopted Decision 2020-02 (AAO Aug. 20, 2020) (PDF, 268.36 KB)

August 31, 2020

This policy memorandum (PM) designates the attached decision of the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) in Matter of Z-R-Z-C, Adopted Decision 2020-02 (AAO Aug. 20, 2020)

Rescission of Policy Memoranda, PM-602-0114 (PDF, 379.71 KB)

June 17, 2020

USCIS is rescinding two policy memoranda regarding the adjudication of certain petitions for H-1B nonimmigrant classification.

Matter of F-M- Co., Adopted Decision 2020-01 (AAO May 5, 2020) (PDF, 231.04 KB)

May 13, 2020

This policy memorandum (PM) designates the attached decision of the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) in Matter of F-M- Co., Adopted Decision 2020-01 (AAO May 5, 2020)

Temporary Policy Changes for Certain Foreign Medical Graduates During the COVID-19 National Emergency (PDF, 340.75 KB)

May 11, 2020

Temporary Policy Changes for Certain Foreign Medical Graduates During the COVID-19 National Emergency (Medical Graduates)

Updated Guidance on Temporary or Seasonal Need for H-2A Petitions Seeking Workers for Range Sheep and/or Goat Herding or Production (PDF, 580.44 KB)

February 28, 2020

This policy memorandum (PM) provides updated guidance regarding the determination of temporary or seasonal need for H-2A petitions seeking workers for range sheep or goat herding or production (hereinafter referred to as “H-2A sheep/goat herder petitions”).

Temporary or Seasonal Need for H-2A Petitions Seeking Workers for Range Sheep and/or Goat Herding or Production (PDF, 531.24 KB)

November 14, 2019

This policy memorandum (PM) provides guidance regarding the determination of temporary or seasonal need for H-2A petitions seeking workers for range sheep or goat herding or production (herein after referred to as “H-2A sheep/goat herder petitions”).

Sample Notice of Filing Application for Permanent Employment Certification (PDF, 286.49 KB)

October 24, 2019

This AFM update revises the sample notice of filing required for certain applications for permanent employment certification to fix certain technical errors, such as an inactive website link: AFM Chapter 22.2(b)(4)(C)(v) Sample Notice of Filing.

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