Table of Contents

• VOLUME 1: GENERAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

  • PART A – CUSTOMER SERVICE

  • PART B – CASE PROCESSING

  • PART C – BIOMETRICS COLLECTION AND SECURITY CHECKS

  • PART D – ATTORNEYS AND REPRESENTATIVES

  • PART E – ADJUDICATIONS

  • PART F – MOTIONS AND APPEALS

  • PART G – NOTICE TO APPEAR

• VOLUME 2: NONIMMIGRANTS

  • PART A – NONIMMIGRANT POLICIES, GOALS, AND PROCEDURES

  • PART B – DIPLOMATIC AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION PERSONNEL (A AND G)

  • PART C – VISITORS, STUDENTS, AND MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES

  • PART D – SPECIALTY OCCUPATION WORKERS (H-1B AND E-3)

  • PART E – TEMPORARY AGRICULTURAL AND NON-AGRICULTURAL WORKERS (H-2)

  • PART F – TRAINEES (H-3)

  • PART G – INTRACOMPANY EXECUTIVES AND MANAGERS (L)

  • PART H – ARTISTS, ENTERTAINERS, ATHLETES, AND INDIVIDUALS OF EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY OR ACHIEVEMENT (O AND P)

  • PART I – RELIGIOUS WORKERS (R)

  • PART J – TREATY TRADERS, TREATY INVESTORS, AND NAFTA PROFESSIONALS (E-1, E-2, AND TN)

  • PART K – NONIMMIGRANTS INTENDING TO ADJUST STATUS (K AND V)

• VOLUME 3: PROTECTION & PAROLE

  • PART A – PROTECTION AND PAROLE POLICIES, GOALS, AND PROCEDURES

  • PART B – VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING

  • PART C – VICTIMS OF CRIMES

  • PART D – TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS AND DEFERRED ENFORCED DEPARTURE

  • PART E – PAROLEES

  • PART F – DEFERRED ACTION

  • PART G – HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCIES

• VOLUME 4: REFUGEES

• VOLUME 5: ASYLEES

• VOLUME 6: IMMIGRANTS

  • PART A – IMMIGRANT POLICIES, GOALS, AND PROCEDURES

  • PART B – FAMILY-BASED IMMIGRANTS

  • PART C – INTERNATIONAL ORPHANS AND ADOPTEES

  • PART D – FAMILY-BASED IMMIGRANTS FILING UNDER THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT (VAWA)

  • PART E – EMPLOYMENT-BASED IMMIGRANTS

  • PART F – ENTREPRENEURS

  • PART G – DESIGNATED AND SPECIAL IMMIGRANTS

  • PART H – SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILES

  • PART I – CONDITIONAL RESIDENTS

• VOLUME 7: ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS

  • PART A – ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS POLICIES, GOALS, AND PROCEDURES

  • PART B – 245(A) APPLICANTS

  • PART C – 245(I) APPLICANTS

  • PART D – FAMILY-BASED APPLICANTS

  • PART E – EMPLOYMENT-BASED APPLICANTS

  • PART F – SPECIAL IMMIGRANT-BASED (EB-4) APPLICANTS

  • PART G – DIVERSITY VISA APPLICANTS

  • PART H – VAWA-BASED APPLICANTS

  • PART I – TRAFFICKING VICTIM-BASED APPLICANTS

  • PART J – CRIME VICTIM-BASED APPLICANTS

  • PART K – REFUGEE APPLICANTS

  • PART L – ASYLEE APPLICANTS

  • PART M – CRIMINAL OR TERRORIST INFORMANT-BASED APPLICANTS

  • PART N – LEGALIZATION APPLICANTS

  • PART O – REGISTRANTS

  • PART P – SPECIAL ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM APPLICANTS

  • PART Q – POST ADJUDICATION

  • PART R – RESCISSION OF LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENCE

  • PART S – ABANDONMENT OF LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENCE

• VOLUME 8: ADMISSIBILITY

  • PART A – ADMISSIBILITY POLICIES, GOALS, AND PROCEDURES

  • PART B – HEALTH ISSUES AND MEDICAL EXAMINATION

  • PART C – CIVIL SURGEON DESIGNATION AND REVOCATION

  • PART D – CRIME AND PUBLIC SAFETY

  • PART E – TERRORISM

  • PART F – NATIONAL SECURITY

  • PART G – PUBLIC CHARGE

  • PART H – LABOR CERTIFICATION AND SELECT IMMIGRANT QUALIFICATIONS

  • PART I – ILLEGAL ENTRANTS AND OTHER IMMIGRATION VIOLATORS

  • PART J – FRAUD AND WILLFUL MISREPRESENTATION

  • PART K – FALSE CLAIM TO U.S. CITIZENSHIP

  • PART L – DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

  • PART M – CITIZENSHIP INELIGIBILITY

  • PART N – ALIENS PREVIOUSLY REMOVED

  • PART O – ALIENS UNLAWFULLY PRESENT

  • PART P – ALIEN PRESENT AFTER PREVIOUS IMMIGRATION VIOLATION

  • PART Q – PRACTICING POLYGAMISTS, INTERNATIONAL CHILD ABDUCTORS, UNLAWFUL VOTERS, AND TAX EVADERS

• VOLUME 9: WAIVERS

  • PART A – GENERAL WAIVER PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES

  • PART B – EXTREME HARDSHIP

  • PART C – MEDICAL GROUNDS

  • PART D – CRIMINAL GROUNDS

  • PART E – ALIENS SUBJECT TO CIVIL PENALTY

  • PART F – ALIEN SMUGGLING

  • PART G – FRAUD OR WILLFUL MISREPRESENTATION

  • PART H – UNLAWFUL PRESENCE

  • PART I – HUMANITARIAN

  • PART J – NATIONAL INTEREST

  • PART K – FAMILY UNITY, HUMANITARIAN PURPOSES, OR PUBLIC INTEREST

  • PART L – NONIMMIGRANT

  • PART M – OTHER PROVISIONS OVERCOMING INADMISSIBILITY

  • PART N – MOTIONS AND APPEALS

• VOLUME 10: CONSENT TO REAPPLY

  • PART A – CONSENT TO REAPPLY POLICIES, GOALS, AND PROCEDURES

  • PART B – ADJUDICATIONS

  • PART C – MOTIONS AND APPEALS

• VOLUME 11: TRAVEL, EMPLOYMENT, & IDENTITY DOCUMENTS

  • PART A – PERMANENT RESIDENT CARDS

  • PART B – EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION DOCUMENTATION

  • PART C – REFUGEE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

  • PART D – REENTRY PERMITS

  • PART E – ADVANCE PAROLE

  • PART F – IDENTITY DOCUMENTS

• VOLUME 12: CITIZENSHIP & NATURALIZATION

  • PART A – CITIZENSHIP AND NATURALIZATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

    • Chapter 1: Purpose and Background

      • A. Purpose

      • B. Background

      • C. Legal Authorities

    • Chapter 2: Becoming a U.S. Citizen

    • Chapter 3: USCIS Authority to Naturalize

  • PART B – NATURALIZATION EXAMINATION

    • Chapter 1: Purpose and Background

      • A. Purpose

      • B. Background

      • C. Legal Authorities

    • Chapter 2: Background and Security Checks

      • A. Background Investigation

      • B. Fingerprints

      • C. FBI Name Checks

    • Chapter 3: Naturalization Interview

      • A. Roles and Responsibilities

      • B. Preliminary Review of Application

      • C. Initial Naturalization Examination

      • D. Subsequent Re-examination

      • E. Expediting Applications from Certain SSI Beneficiaries

    • Chapter 4: Results of the Naturalization Examination

      • A. Approval of Naturalization Application

      • B. Continuation of Examination

      • C. Denial of Naturalization Application

      • D. Administrative Closure, Lack of Prosecution, Withdrawal, and Holding in Abeyance

    • Chapter 5: Motion to Reopen

      • A. USCIS Motion to Reopen

      • B. Motion to Reopen Administratively Closed Application

    • Chapter 6: USCIS Hearing and Judicial Review

      • A. Hearing Request

      • B. Review of Timely Filed Hearing Request

      • C. Improperly Filed Hearing Request

      • D. Judicial Review

  • PART C – ACCOMMODATIONS

    • Chapter 1: Purpose and Background

      • A. Purpose

      • B. Background

      • C. Difference between Accommodations and Waivers

      • D. Legal Authorities

    • Chapter 2: Accommodation Policies and Procedures

      • A. Requesting an Accommodation

      • B. Documentation and Evidence

      • C. Providing Accommodations as Requested

    • Chapter 3: Types of Accommodations

      • A. Accommodations for the Naturalization Examination

      • B. Accommodations for the Naturalization Test

      • C. Accommodations for the Oath of Allegiance

  • PART D – GENERAL NATURALIZATION REQUIREMENTS

    • Chapter 1: Purpose and Background

      • A. Purpose

      • B. General Eligibility Requirements

      • C. Legal Authorities

    • Chapter 2: LPR Admission for Naturalization

      • A. LPR at Time of Filing and Naturalization

      • B. Conditional Residence in the General Requirements (INA 316)

      • C. Exceptions

      • D. Documentation and Evidence

    • Chapter 3: Continuous Residence

      • A. Continuous Residence Requirement

      • B. Maintenance of Continuous Residence following LPR Status

      • C. Breaks in Continuous Residence

      • D. Preserving Residence for Naturalization (Form N-470)

      • E. Residence in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

      • F. Documentation and Evidence

    • Chapter 4: Physical Presence

      • A. Physical Presence Requirement

      • B. Documentation and Evidence

    • Chapter 5: Modifications and Exceptions to Continuous Residence and Physical Presence

      • A. Qualifying Employment Abroad

      • B. Qualifying Military Service

      • C. Spouse, Child, or Parent of Certain U.S. Citizens

      • D. Other Special Classes of Applicants

    • Chapter 6: Jurisdiction, Place of Residence, and Early Filing

      • A. Three-Month Residency Requirement (in State or Service District)

      • B. Place of Residence

      • C. Place of Residence in Certain Cases

      • D. 90-Day Early Filing Provision (INA 334)

      • E. Expediting Applications from Certain SSI Beneficiaries

    • Chapter 7: Attachment to the Constitution

      • A. Attachment to the Constitution

      • B. Selective Service Registration

      • C. Draft Evaders

      • D. Membership in Certain Organizations

    • Chapter 8: Educational Requirements

    • Chapter 9: Good Moral Character

  • PART E – ENGLISH AND CIVICS TESTING AND EXCEPTIONS

    • Chapter 1: Purpose and Background

      • A. Purpose

      • B. Background

      • C. Legal Authorities

    • Chapter 2: English and Civics Testing

      • A. Educational Requirements

      • B. Exceptions

      • C. Meeting Requirements under IRCA 1986

      • D. English Portion of the Test

      • E. Civics Portion of the Test

      • F. Failure to Meet the English or Civics Requirements

      • G. Documenting Test Results

    • Chapter 3: Medical Disability Exception (Form N-648)

      • A. Medical Exception Requirements

      • B. Medical Exception Versus Accommodation

      • C. Authorized Medical Professionals

      • D. Guidelines for Officer’s Review

      • E. Establishing Eligibility for the Exception

      • F. Failing to Establish Eligibility for the Exception

      • G. Fraud Referrals

  • PART F – GOOD MORAL CHARACTER

    • Chapter 1: Purpose and Background

      • A. Purpose

      • B. Background

      • C. Legal Authorities

    • Chapter 2: Adjudicative Factors

      • A. Applicable Statutory Period

      • B. Conduct Outside of the Statutory Period

      • C. Definition of Conviction

      • D. Effect of Probation

      • E. Admission of Certain Criminal Acts

      • F. “Purely Political Offense” Exception

      • G. Extenuating Circumstances

      • H. Removability and GMC

    • Chapter 3: Evidence and the Record

      • A. Applicant Testimony

      • B. Court Dispositions

      • C. Failure to Respond to Request for Evidence

    • Chapter 4: Permanent Bars to GMC

      • A. Murder

      • B. Aggravated Felony

      • C. Persecution, Genocide, Torture, or Severe Violations of Religious Freedom

    • Chapter 5: Conditional Bars for Acts in Statutory Period

      • A. One or More Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude

      • B. Aggregate Sentence of Five Years or More

      • C. Controlled Substance Violation

      • D. Imprisonment for 180 Days or More

      • E. False Testimony

      • F. Prostitution

      • G. Smuggling of a Person

      • H. Polygamy

      • I. Gambling

      • J. Habitual Drunkard

      • K. Failure to Support Dependents

      • L. Adultery

      • M. Unlawful Acts

  • PART G – SPOUSES OF U.S. CITIZENS

    • Chapter 1: Purpose and Background

      • A. Purpose

      • B. Background

      • C. Table of General Provisions

      • D. Legal Authorities

    • Chapter 2: Marriage and Marital Union for Naturalization

      • A. Validity of Marriage

      • B. Common Law Marriage

      • C. U.S. Citizenship from Time of Filing until Oath

      • D. Marital Union and Living in Marital Union

    • Chapter 3: Spouses of U.S. Citizens Residing in the United States

      • A. General Eligibility for Spouses Residing in the United States

      • B. Living in Marital Union for Spouses Residing in the United States

      • C. Three Years of Continuous Residence

      • D. Eighteen Months of Physical Presence

      • E. 90-Day Early Filing Provision (INA 334)

      • F. Eligibility for Persons Subjected to Battering or Extreme Cruelty

      • G. Application and Evidence

    • Chapter 4: Spouses of U.S. Citizens Employed Abroad

      • A. General Eligibility for Spouses of U.S. Citizens Employed Abroad

      • B. Marital Union for Spouses Employed Abroad

      • C. Qualifying Employment Abroad

      • D. Calculating Period “Regularly Stationed Abroad”

      • E. Exception to Continuous Residence and Physical Presence Requirements

      • F. In the United States for Examination and Oath of Allegiance

      • G. Application and Evidence

    • Chapter 5: Conditional Permanent Resident Spouses and Naturalization

      • A. General Requirements for Conditional Permanent Residents

      • B. Spouses who Must Have an Approved Petition Prior to Naturalization

      • C. Spouses Eligible to Naturalize without Filing Petition to Remove Conditions

      • D. Conditional Permanent Residents Admitted as Entrepreneurs

  • PART H – CHILDREN OF U.S. CITIZENS

    • Chapter 1: Purpose and Background

      • A. Purpose

      • B. Background

      • C. Table of General Provisions

      • D. Legal Authorities

    • Chapter 2: Definition of Child for Citizenship and Naturalization

      • A. Definition of Child

      • B. Legitimated Child

      • C. Adopted Child

      • D. Orphan

    • Chapter 3: United States Citizens at Birth (INA 301 and 309)

      • A. General Requirements for Acquisition of Citizenship at Birth

      • B. Child Born in Wedlock

      • C. Child Born Out of Wedlock

      • D. Application for Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600)

      • E. Citizenship Interview and Waiver

      • F. Decision and Oath of Allegiance

    • Chapter 4: Automatic Acquisition of Citizenship after Birth (INA 320)

      • A. General Requirements: Biological, Legitimated, or Adopted Child Automatically Acquiring Citizenship after Birth

      • B. Legal and Physical Custody of U.S. Citizen Parent

      • C. Acquisition of Citizenship Prior to Child Citizenship Act of 2000

      • D. Application for Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600)

      • E. Documentation and Evidence

      • F. Citizenship Interview and Waiver

      • G. Decision and Oath of Allegiance

    • Chapter 5: Child Residing Outside of the United States (INA 322)

      • A. General Requirements: Biological, Legitimated, or Adopted Child Residing Outside the United States

      • B. Eligibility to Apply on the Child’s Behalf

      • C. Physical Presence of the U.S. Citizen Parent or Grandparent

      • D. Temporary Presence by Lawful Admission and Status in United States

      • E. Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate under Section 322 (Form N-600K)

      • F. Documentation and Evidence

      • G. Citizenship Interview and Waiver

      • H. Decision and Oath of Allegiance

    • Chapter 6: Special Provisions for the Naturalization of Children

      • A. Battered Children

      • B. Surviving Child of Members of the Armed Forces

  • PART I – MILITARY MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES

    • Chapter 1: Purpose and Background

      • A. Purpose

      • B. Background

      • C. Legal Authorities

    • Chapter 2: One Year of Military Service during Peacetime (INA 328)

      • A. General Eligibility through One Year of Military Service during Peacetime

      • B. Honorable Service

      • C. National Guard Service

      • D. Continuous Residence and Physical Presence Requirements

    • Chapter 3: Military Service during Hostilities (INA 329)

      • A. General Eligibility through Military Service during Hostilities

      • B. Honorable Service

      • C. National Guard Service

      • D. Designated Periods of Hostilities

      • E. Eligibility as Permanent Resident or if Present in United States at Induction or Enlistment

      • F. Conditional Permanent Residence and Naturalization during Hostilities

    • Chapter 4: Permanent Bars to Naturalization

      • A. Exemption or Discharge from Military Service Because of Foreign Nationality

      • B. Deserters or Persons Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL)

    • Chapter 5: Application and Filing for Service Members (INA 328 and 329)

      • A. Required Forms

      • B. Fee Exemptions

      • C. Filing Location and Initial Processing

    • Chapter 6: Required Background Checks

      • A. Defense Clearance Investigative Index (DCII) Query

      • B. Fingerprint Requirement and the Kendell Frederick Citizenship Assistance Act

      • C. Ways Service Members may Meet Fingerprint Requirement

    • Chapter 7: Revocation of Naturalization

    • Chapter 8: Posthumous Citizenship (INA 329A)

      • A. Eligibility for Posthumous Citizenship

      • B. Application and Filing

      • C. Adjudication

    • Chapter 9: Spouses, Children, and Surviving Family Benefits

      • A. General Provisions for Spouses, Children, and Parents of Military Members

      • B. Spouses of Military Members

      • C. Children of Military Members

      • D. Naturalization for Surviving Spouse, Child, or Parent of Service Member (INA 319(d))

  • PART J – OATH OF ALLEGIANCE

    • Chapter 1: Purpose and Background

      • A. Purpose

      • B. Background

      • C. Legal Authorities

    • Chapter 2: The Oath of Allegiance

      • A. Oath of Allegiance

      • B. Authority to Administer the Oath

      • C. Renunciation of Title or Order of Nobility

    • Chapter 3: Oath of Allegiance Modifications and Waivers

      • A. Modified Oath for Religious Objections

      • B. Affirmation of Allegiance in Lieu of Oath

      • C. Waiver of the Oath

    • Chapter 4: General Considerations for All Oath Ceremonies

      • A. USCIS Administrative Ceremony

      • B. Derogatory Information Received before Oath or Failure to Appear

    • Chapter 5: Model Plan for Administrative Naturalization Ceremonies

      • A. U.S. Citizenship Welcome Packet

      • B. Ceremony Check-In Process

      • C. Ceremony Program

      • D. Guest Speakers at Naturalization Ceremonies

      • E. Voter Registration at Naturalization Ceremonies

      • F. Participation from Other Government Entities

      • G. Participation from Volunteers and Civic Organizations

      • H. Offers to Donate Use of Venues for Naturalization Ceremonies

    • Chapter 6: Judicial and Expedited Oath Ceremonies

      • A. Judicial Oath Ceremony

      • B. Expedited Oath Ceremony

  • PART K – CERTIFICATES OF CITIZENSHIP AND NATURALIZATION

    • Chapter 1: Purpose and Background

      • A. Purpose

      • B. Background

      • C. Legal Authorities

    • Chapter 2: Certificate of Citizenship

      • A. Eligibility for Certificate of Citizenship

      • B. Contents of Certificate of Citizenship

      • C. Issuance of Certificate of Citizenship

    • Chapter 3: Certificate of Naturalization

      • A. Eligibility for Certificate of Naturalization

      • B. Required Contents in Certificate of Naturalization

      • C. Issuance of Certificate of Naturalization

    • Chapter 4: Replacement of Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization

    • Chapter 5: Cancellation of Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization

      • A. Administrative Cancellation of Certificates

      • B. Cancellation of Certificate after Revocation of Naturalization

  • PART L – REVOCATION OF NATURALIZATION

    • Chapter 1: Purpose and Background

      • A. Purpose

      • B. Background

      • C. Difference between Revocation and Cancellation of Certificate

      • D. Legal Authorities

    • Chapter 2: Grounds for Revocation of Naturalization

      • A. Person Procures Naturalization Illegally

      • B. Concealment of Material Fact or Willful Misrepresentation

      • C. Other than Honorable Discharge before Five Years of Honorable Service after Naturalization

    • Chapter 3: Effects of Revocation of Naturalization

      • A. Effective Date of Revocation of Naturalization

      • B. Cancellation of Certificate of Naturalization

      • C. Effects of Revocation on Citizenship of Certain Spouses and Children