USCIS issued policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify how USCIS determines eligibility for L-1 nonimmigrants seeking classification

On August 16, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued updated 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.

L-1 nonimmigrant status is available to employees of a qualifying organization who are either executives or managers (L-1A) or employees with specialized knowledge (L-1B).  The policy manual update is not intended to change existing policy or create new policy, but instead consolidates and updates guidance that was previously contained in the Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) Chapter 32, as well as related AFM appendices and policy memoranda.  This guidance, contained in Volume 2 of the Policy Manual, is effective immediately. The guidance contained in the Policy Manual is controlling and supersedes any related prior guidance.