Memorandum: Procedures for Applying the Period of Authorized Stay for P-1S Nonimmigrant Individual Athletes' Essential Support Personnel   [open pdf - 48KB]

"On March 6, 2009, a memorandum was issued entitled 'Procedures for Applying the Period of Authorized Stay for P-1 Nonimmigrant Individual Athletes' (the 'March 2009 memo') which provided United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) personnel with instructions for applying the period of authorized stay for P-1 individual athletes. It did not apply to aliens serving in a support capacity, P-2 or P-3 category or derivatives. This memorandum extends the March 6, 2009 guidance to P-1 essential support personnel ('P-1S personnel') of P-1 individual athletes. Specifically, this memorandum clarifies that P-1S essential support personnel of individual athletes: 1. Are not subject to a lifetime admission limit of 10 years in the United States; 2. May reapply for a new P-1S initial period of admission, based on an approved petition, after they have been in the United States for a 10 year period; and 3. Must depart the United States after 10 years in order to be eligible for a new initial period of admission of up to 1 year."