Original Date Announced

DOS amended a section of the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) that contains guidance for issuing B-1 visas, changing the title of 9 FAM 402.2-5(C) from "Employment Incidental to their Professional Business Activities" to "Employment as a Necessary Incident to their Professional Business Activities."

DOS also added a new section, 9 FAM 402.2-5(C)(10), "Participants in International Sporting Events," which contains requirements for issuing B-1 visas to referees, judges, and technical officials hired to work for a "sporting event with an international dimension (such as FIFA World Cup or the Olympics)." It stipulates that such workers "may not receive a salary or payment for services from a U.S. source, other than remuneration for incidental expenses."

Trump 2.0 [ID #2059]

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.09.17 DOS - 9 FAM 402.2 [REDACTED] Tourists and Business Visitors and Mexican Border Crossing Cards - B Visas and BCCs

DOS revised 9 FAM 402.2-5(C)(4) to tighten B-1 eligibility requirements for professional athletes and teams, and expand the terms for amateur tryouts beyond the NHL. Specific changes include:

1. Previously, a professional athlete who received no salary or payment, other than prize money, for their participation in a sporting event or tournament could be issued a visa. In addition to that criteria, now in order to be issued a visa, the foreign athlete's principal place of business or activity must be in a foreign country, and their salary must principally accrue in a foreign country.
2. Previously, 9 FAM 402.2-5(C)(4) was not specific about what support staff could be admitted. Now, the rule outlines eligibility criteria for "necessary personnel" as well as examples of individuals within that category. These include "coaching staff, team principals, athletic trainers and fitness instructors, medical support staff, nutritionists, equipment specialists, pit crew, engineers, technicians, mechanics, strategists, and performance/data analysts." Such individuals must show that they "perform, for compensation, the same or similar services abroad for the individual athlete or foreign sports team."
3. Previously, 9 FAM 402.2-5(C)(4) only provided criteria for amateur hockey players to be issued B-1 visas. Now, this language has broadened to encompass all amateur athletes "who are asked to join a professional team during the regular professional season or playoffs for brief try-outs."