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Policy memoranda that have been partially or fully superseded by the USCIS Policy Manual have been stamped and archived in the USCIS History and Library collection.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.

Subscribe to get notifications of policy updates:

Expanding Interviews to Refugee/Asylee Relative Petitions (PDF, 277.32 KB)
This Policy Memorandum (PM) directs the phased expansion of in-person interviews for refugee/asylee relative petitions (Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition), to ultimately include petitioners in addition to beneficiaries, regardless of location. For the reasons and in the manner outlined below, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) personnel shall take all appropriate actions to execute implementation, consistent with the parameters established in this memorandum.
Matter of Z-R-Z-C- (PDF, 268.36 KB), Adopted Decision 2020-02 (AAO Aug. 20, 2020) (PDF, 268.36 KB)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
Matter of A-O-C-, Adopted Decision 2019-03 (AAO Oct. 11, 2019) (PDF, 308.67 KB)
This policy memorandum (PM) designates the attached decision of the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) in Matter of A-O-C-, Adopted Decision 2019-03 (AAO Oct. 11, 2019)
Matter of D-Y-S-C-, Adopted Decision 2019-02 (AAO Oct. 11, 2019) (PDF, 305.57 KB)
This policy memorandum (PM) designates the attached decision of the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) in Matter of D-Y-S-C-, Adopted Decision 2019-02 (AAO Oct. 11, 2019)
1 - 10 of 215 total rows

RSS Feed