USCIS updated policy manual guidance for diplomatic officer lists
USCIS removed references to the State Department's discontinued Diplomatic List from its official policy manual.
Who this applies to & what you could do
A Diplomat or Foreign Government Official
- Diplomatic status verification relies on current Department of State accreditation records rather than the legacy Blue List.
- Procedures for verifying official immunity and family status follow updated State Department protocol.
- Diplomatic status verification now relies directly on official Department of State accreditation records instead of the discontinued Blue List.
- USCIS policy instructions have been updated to reflect current Department of State record-keeping procedures.
Confirm that your diplomatic registration and accreditation details are fully up to date with the U.S. Department of State, maintain copies of your official diplomatic credentials, and speak with your mission's administrative officer or a qualified immigration attorney if you have questions.
Gather and maintain current documentation of your diplomatic accreditation, such as official Department of State endorsement letters and embassy records. If you are preparing an application related to a child born in the U.S., check with your mission's administrative office or a qualified immigration lawyer to ensure your accreditation records are up to date.
Timeline — newest first
USCIS updated official guidance on accredited foreign diplomatic officer lists
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has updated its policy manual to remove references to the State Department's legacy "Diplomatic List," also known as the Blue List, which is no longer published. Moving forward, immigration officers will verify a diplomat's official status using active Department of State records. This change is now in effect.
USCIS updated its policy guidance regarding foreign diplomatic officer lists
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has updated its policy guide to remove all references to the traditional "Diplomatic List," formerly known as the Blue List. Because the U.S. Department of State no longer publishes this list, immigration officers now confirm a diplomat's status using current official State Department accreditation records. This administrative change is now in effect.
Summaries are AI-generated from public government sources and news coverage. This is not legal advice.