Table 1 to § 214.2 -Section Contents
(a) Foreign government officials |
(b) Visitors |
(c) Transits |
(d) Crewmen |
(e) Treaty traders and investors |
(f) Students in colleges, universities, seminaries, conservatories, academic high schools, elementary schools, other academic institutions, and in language training programs |
(g) Representatives to international organizations |
(h) Temporary employees |
(i) Representatives of information media |
(j) Exchange aliens |
(k) Spouses, Fiancees, and Fiances of United States Citizens |
(l) Intracompany transferees |
(m) Students in established vocational or other recognized nonacademic institutions, other than in language training programs |
(n) Certain parents and children of section 101(a)(27)(I) special immigrants |
(o) Aliens of extraordinary ability or achievement |
(p) Artists, athletes, and entertainers |
(q) Cultural visitors |
(r) Religious workers |
(s) NATO nonimmigrant aliens |
(t) Alien witnesses and informants |
(u) [Reserved] |
(v) Certain spouses and children of LPRs |
(w) CNMI-Only Transitional Worker (CW-1) |
The general requirements in § 214.1 are modified for the following nonimmigrant classes:
Trade is the existing international exchange of items of trade for consideration between the United States and the treaty country. Existing trade includes successfully negotiated contracts binding upon the parties which call for the immediate exchange of items of trade. Domestic trade or the development of domestic markets without international exchange does not constitute trade for purposes of section 101(a)(15)(E) of the Act. This exchange must be traceable and identifiable. Title to the trade item must pass from one treaty party to the other.
Table 2 to Paragraph (f)-Paragraph Contents
(1) Admission of student |
(2) Form I-20 or successor form |
(3) Admission of the spouse and minor children of an F-1 student |
(4) Temporary absence |
(5) Duration of status |
(6) Full course of study |
(7) Extension of stay |
(8) School transfer |
(9) Employment |
(10) Practical training |
(11) OPT application and approval process |
(12) Reporting while on optional practical training |
(13) Temporary absence from the United States of F-1 student granted employment authorization |
(14) Effect of strike or other labor dispute |
(15) Spouse and children of F-1 student |
(16) Reinstatement to student status |
(17) Current name and address |
(18) Special rules for certain border commuter students |
(19) Remittance of the fee |
Table 3 to Paragraph (h)-Paragraph Contents
(1) Admission of temporary employees |
(2) Petitions |
(3) Petition for registered nurse (H-1C) |
(4) Petition for alien to perform services in a specialty occupation, services relating to a DOD cooperative research and development project or coproduction project, or services of distinguished merit and ability in the field of fashion modeling (H-1B) |
(5) Petition for alien to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature (H-2A) |
(6) Petition for alien to perform temporary nonagricultural services or labor (H-2B) |
(7) Petition for alien trainee or participant in a special education exchange visitor program (H-3) |
(8) Numerical limits |
(9) Approval and validity of petition |
(10) Denial of petition |
(11) Revocation of approval of petition |
(12) Appeal of a denial or a revocation of a petition |
(13) Admission |
(14) Extension of visa petition validity |
(15) Extension of stay |
(16) Effect of approval of a permanent labor certification or filing of a preference petition on H classification |
(17) Effect of a strike |
(18) Use of approval notice, Form I-797 |
(19) Additional fee for filing certain H-1B petitions |
(20) Retaliatory action claims |
(21) Change of employers during COVID-19 National Emergency (August 19, 2020 through December 17, 2020) |
(22) Change of employers during COVID-19 National Emergency (December 18, 2020 through June 16, 2021) |
(23) Change of employers and extensions beyond 3 years during COVID-19 National Emergency for H-2B aliens essential to the U.S. food supply chain |
(24) Severability |
(25) [Reserved] |
(26) Change of employers and portability for H-2B workers (May 25, 2021 through November 22, 2021) |
(27) Change of employers and portability for H-2B workers (January 28, 2022 through July 27, 2022) |
(28) Change of employers and portability for H-2B workers (July 28, 2022 through January 24, 2023) |
(29) Change of employers and portability for H-2B workers (January 25, 2023 through January 24, 2024). |
(30) [Reserved] |
(31) Change of employers and portability for H-2B workers (January 25, 2024 through January 24, 2025). |
Prominence means a high level of achievement in the field of fashion modeling evidenced by a degree of skill and recognition substantially above that ordinarily encountered to the extent that a person described as prominent is renowned, leading, or well-known in the field of fashion modeling.
Recognized authority means a person or an organization with expertise in a particular field, special skills or knowledge in that field, and the expertise to render the type of opinion requested. Such an opinion must state:
Specialty occupation means an occupation which requires theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge in fields of human endeavor including, but not limited to, architecture, engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, social sciences, medicine and health, education, business specialties, accounting, law, theology, and the arts, and which requires the attainment of a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific specialty, or its equivalent, as a minimum for entry into the occupation in the United States.
United States employer means a person, firm, corporation, contractor, or other association or organization in the United States which:
Table 4 to Paragraph (m)-Paragraph Contents
(1) Admission of student |
(2) Form I-20 ID copy |
(3) Admission of the spouse and minor children of an M-1 student |
(4) Temporary absence |
(5) Period of stay |
(6)-(8) [Reserved] |
(9) Full course of study |
(10) Extension of stay |
(11) School transfer |
(12) Change in educational objective |
(13) Employment |
(14) Practical training |
(15) Decision on application for extension, permission to transfer to another school, or permission to accept employment for practical training |
(16) Reinstatement to student status |
(17) Spouse and children of M-1 student |
(18) Current name and address |
(19) Special rules for certain border commuter students |
(20) Remittance of the fee |
Arts includes any field of creative activity or endeavor such as, but not limited to, fine arts, visual arts, culinary arts, and performing arts. Aliens engaged in the field of arts include not only the principal creators and performers but other essential persons such as, but not limited to, directors, set designers, lighting designers, sound designers, choreographers, choreologists, conductors, orchestrators, coaches, arrangers, musical supervisors, costume designers, makeup artists, flight masters, stage technicians, and animal trainers.
Event means an activity such as, but not limited to, a scientific project, conference, convention, lecture series, tour, exhibit, business project, academic year, or engagement. Such activity may include short vacations, promotional appearances, and stopovers which are incidental and/or related to the event. A group of related activities may also be considered to be an event. In the case of an O-1 athlete, the event could be the alien's contract.
Extraordinary ability in the field of arts means distinction. Distinction means a high level of achievement in the field of arts evidenced by a degree of skill and recognition substantially above that ordinarily encountered to the extent that a person described as prominent is renowned, leading, or well-known in the field of arts.
Extraordinary ability in the field of science, education, business, or athletics means a level of expertise indicating that the person is one of the small percentage who have arisen to the very top of the field of endeavor.
Extraordinary achievement with respect to motion picture and television productions, as commonly defined in the industry, means a very high level of accomplishment in the motion picture or television industry evidenced by a degree of skill and recognition significantly above that ordinarily encountered to the extent that the person is recognized as outstanding, notable, or leading in the motion picture or television field.
Peer group means a group or organization which is comprised of practitioners of the alien's occupation. If there is a collective bargaining representative of an employer's employees in the occupational classification for which the alien is being sought, such a representative may be considered the appropriate peer group for purposes of consultation.
Arts includes fields of creative activity or endeavor such as, but not limited to, fine arts, visual arts, and performing arts.
Competition, event, or performance means an activity such as an athletic competition, athletic season, tournament, tour, exhibit, project, entertainment event, or engagement. Such activity could include short vacations, promotional appearances for the petitioning employer relating to the competition, event, or performance, and stopovers which are incidental and/or related to the activity. An athletic competition or entertainment event could include an entire season of performances A group of related activities will also be considered an event. In the case of a P-2 petition, the event may be the duration of the reciprocal exchange agreement. In the case of a P-1 athlete, the event may be the duration of the alien's contract.
Contract means the written agreement between the petitioner and the beneficiary(ies) that explains the terms and conditions of employment. The contract shall describe the services to be performed, and specify the wages, hours of work, working conditions, and any fringe benefits.
Culturally unique means a style of artistic expression, methodology, or medium which is unique to a particular country, nation, society, class, ethnicity, religion, tribe, or other group of persons.
Essential support alien means a highly skilled, essential person determined by the Director to be an integral part of the performance of a P-1, P-2, or P-3 alien because he or she performs support services which cannot be readily performed by a United States worker and which are essential to the successful performance of services by the P-1, P-2, alien. Such alien must have appropriate qualifications to perform the services, critical knowledge of the specific services to be performed, and experience in providing such support to the P-1, P-2, or P-3 alien.
Group means two or more persons established as one entity or unit to perform or to provide a service.
Internationally recognized means having a high level of achievement in a field evidenced by a degree of skill and recognition substantially above that ordinarily encountered, to the extent that such achievement is renowned, leading, or well-known in more than one country.
Member of a group means a person who is actually performing the entertainment services.
Sponsor means an established organization in the United States which will not directly employ a P-1, P-2, or P-3 alien but will assume responsibility for the accuracy of the terms and conditions specified in the petition.
Team means two or more persons organized to perform together as a competitive unit in a competitive event.
Country of nationality means the country of which the participant was a national at the time of the petition seeking international cultural exchange visitor status for him or her.
Doing business means the regular, systematic, and continuous provision of goods and/or services (including lectures, seminars and other types of cultural programs) by a qualified employer which has employees, and does not include the mere presence of an agent or office of the qualifying employer.
Duration of program means the time in which a qualified employer is conducting an approved international cultural exchange program in the manner as established by the employer's petition for program approval, provided that the period of time does not exceed 15 months.
International cultural exchange visitor means an alien who has a residence in a foreign country which he or she has no intention of abandoning, and who is coming temporarily to the United States to take part in an international cultural exchange program approved by the Attorney General.
Petitioner means the employer or its designated agent who has been employed by the qualified employer on a permanent basis in an executive or managerial capacity. The designated agent must be a United States citizen, an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, or an alien provided temporary residence status under sections 210 or 245A of the Act.
Qualified employer means a United States or foreign firm, corporation, non-profit organization, or other legal entity (including its U.S. branches, subsidiaries, affiliates, and franchises) which administers an international cultural exchange program designated by the Attorney General in accordance with the provisions of section 101(a)(15)(Q)(i) of the Act.
Bona fide non-profit religious organization in the United States means a religious organization exempt from taxation as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, subsequent amendment or equivalent sections of prior enactments of the Internal Revenue Code, and possessing a currently valid determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) confirming such exemption.
Bona fide organization which is affiliated with the religious denomination means an organization which is closely associated with the religious denomination and which is exempt from taxation as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or subsequent amendment or equivalent sections of prior enactments of the Internal Revenue Code, and possessing a currently valid determination letter from the IRS confirming such exemption.
Denominational membership means membership during at least the two-year period immediately preceding the filing date of the petition, in the same type of religious denomination as the United States religious organization where the alien will work.
Minister means an individual who:
Petition means the form or as may be prescribed by USCIS, a supplement containing attestations required by this section, and the supporting evidence required by this part.
Religious denomination means a religious group or community of believers that is governed or administered under a common type of ecclesiastical government and includes one or more of the following:
Religious occupation means an occupation that meets all of the following requirements:
Religious vocation means a formal lifetime commitment, through vows, investitures, ceremonies, or similar indicia, to a religious way of life. The religious denomination must have a class of individuals whose lives are dedicated to religious practices and functions, as distinguished from the secular members of the religion. Examples of vocations include nuns, monks, and religious brothers and sisters.
Religious worker means an individual engaged in and, according to the denomination's standards, qualified for a religious occupation or vocation, whether or not in a professional capacity, or as a minister.
Tax-exempt organization means an organization that has received a determination letter from the IRS establishing that it, or a group it belongs to, is exempt from taxation in accordance with sections 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or subsequent amendments or equivalent sections of prior enactments of the Internal Revenue Code.
Table 5 to Paragraph (w)-Paragraph Contents
(1) Definitions |
(2) Eligible aliens |
(3) Derivative beneficiaries-CW-2 nonimmigrant classification |
(4) Eligible employers |
(5) Petition requirements |
(6) Appropriate documents |
(7) Change of employers |
(8) Amended or new petition |
(9) Multiple beneficiaries |
(10) Named beneficiaries |
(11) Early termination |
(12) Approval |
(13) Petition validity |
(14) Validity of the labor certification |
(15) How to apply for CW-1 or CW-2 status |
(16) Biometrics and other information |
(17) Period of admission |
(18) Extension of petition validity and extension of stay |
(19) Change or adjustment of status |
(20) Effect of filing an application for or approval of a permanent labor certification, preference petition, or filing of an application for adjustment of status on CW-1 or CW-2 classification |
(21) Rejection |
(22) Denial |
(23) Terms and conditions of CW Nonimmigrant status |
(24) Expiration of status |
(25) Waivers of inadmissibility for applicants lawfully present in the CNMI |
(26) Semiannual report |
(27) Revocation of approval of petition |
(28) Appeal of a revocation of a petition |
(29) Notice to DOL |
8 C.F.R. §214.2
Title VI of the Health Professions Educational Assistance Act of 1976 (Pub. L. 94-484 ; 90 Stat. 2303); secs. 103 and 214, Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1103 and 1184 )
For FEDERAL REGISTER citations affecting §214.2, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.
Effective Date Notes: 1. At 85 FR 82298, Dec. 18, 2020, §214.2 was amended by adding paragraph (h)(22), effective Dec. 18, 2020, through Dec. 18, 2023.
2. At 86 FR 28230, May 25, 2021, §214.2 was amended by adding paragraph (h)(6)(x), reserved paragraph (h)(25), and paragraph (h)(26), effective May 25, 2021, through May 28, 2024.
3. At 87 FR 4758, Jan. 28, 2022, §214.2 was amended by adding paragraphs (h)(6)(xi) and (h)(27), effective Jan. 28, 2022, through Jan. 28, 2025.
4. At 87 FR 30375, May 18, 2022, §214.2 was amended by adding paragraphs (h)(6)(xii) and (h)(28), effective May 18, 2022, through May 18, 2025.
5. At 87 FR 76874, Dec. 15, 2022, §214.2 was amended by adding row (29) to table 3 to paragraph (h), and by adding paragraphs (h)(6)(xiii) and (h)(29), effective Dec. 15, 2022, through Dec. 15, 2025. At 87 FR 77979, Dec. 21, 2022, paragraph (h)(6)(xiii) was corrected, effective Dec. 21, 2022, through Dec. 15, 2025.
6. At 88 FR 80456, Nov. 17, 2023, §214.2 was amended by adding rows (30) and (31) to table 3 to paragraph (h), and by adding paragraphs (h)(6)(xiv) and (h)(30) and (31), effective Nov. 17, 2023, through Nov. 17, 2026.