# USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 3, Pt. B, Ch. 8: Annual Cap and Waiting List > Federal · Agency guidance · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V3_PB_C8 ## Section - **Citation:** USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 3, Pt. B, Ch. 8 - **Heading:** Annual Cap and Waiting List - **Jurisdiction:** Federal - **Kind:** Agency guidance - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** USCIS Policy Manual / Volume 3 - Humanitarian Protection and Parole / Part B - Victims of Trafficking / USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 3, Pt. B, Ch. 8 ## Text By Congressional mandate, USCIS may only grant T-1 nonimmigrant status to 5,000 persons in any fiscal year. [1] Derivatives are not subject to this annual cap. However, USCIS does not approve applications for derivative T nonimmigrant status until USCIS has approved T-1 nonimmigrant status for the related principal applicant. A. Waiting List Procedures If the annual cap is met in a given fiscal year, USCIS places applicants who receive a bona fide determination but who are not granted T-1 nonimmigrant status due solely to the cap on a waiting list. [2] USCIS determines priority on the waiting list by the date the application was properly filed, with the oldest applications receiving the highest priority. [3] USCIS generally adjudicates applications in the order in which they are received. In the subsequent fiscal year, USCIS issues a number to each applicant on the waiting list in the order of the highest priority. [4] After USCIS issues T-1 nonimmigrant status to qualifying applicants on the waiting list, USCIS issues any remaining T-1 nonimmigrant numbers for that fiscal year to new qualifying applicants in the order that the applications were properly filed. [5] B. Unlawful Presence An applicant for T nonimmigrant status on the waiting list to whom USCIS granted deferred action does not accrue unlawful presence [6] while maintaining deferred action. [7] C. Removal from the Waiting List Applicants on the waiting list must remain admissible to the United States and otherwise eligible for T nonimmigrant status. If at any time before final adjudication, USCIS receives information that an applicant is no longer eligible for T nonimmigrant status, USCIS may remove an applicant from the waiting list and terminate any grant of deferred action or parole at its discretion. USCIS provides notice to the applicant of that decision. [8] Footnotes [1] See INA 214(o)(2) . [2] See 8 CFR 214.210(b) . [3] See 8 CFR 214.210(b)(1) . [4] See 8 CFR 214.210(b)(2) . [5] See 8 CFR 214.210(b)(3) . applicant is no longer eligible for T nonimmigrant status, USCIS may remove an applicant from the waiting list and terminate any grant of deferred action or parole at its discretion. USCIS provides notice to the applicant of that decision. [8] Footnotes [1] See INA 214(o)(2) . [2] See 8 CFR 214.210(b) . [3] See 8 CFR 214.210(b)(1) . [4] See 8 CFR 214.210(b)(2) . [5] See 8 CFR 214.210(b)(3) . [6] See INA 212(a)(9)(B) . See Volume 8, Admissibility, Part O, Aliens Unlawfully Present [ 8 USCIS-PM O ]. [7] See 8 CFR 214.210(c) . [8] See 8 CFR 214.210(d) . ## Nearby sections - [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 3, Pt. B, Ch. 1 Purpose and Background](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V3_PB_C1.md) - [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 3, Pt. B, Ch. 2 Eligibility Requirements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V3_PB_C2.md) - [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 3, Pt. B, Ch. 3 Documentation and Evidence for Principal Applicants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V3_PB_C3.md) - [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 3, Pt. B, Ch. 4 Family Members](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V3_PB_C4.md) - [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 3, Pt. B, Ch. 5 Documentation and Evidence for Family Members](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V3_PB_C5.md) - [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 3, Pt. B, Ch. 6 Bona Fide Determinations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V3_PB_C6.md) - [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 3, Pt. B, Ch. 7 Adjudication](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V3_PB_C7.md) - [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 3, Pt. B, Ch. 8 Annual Cap and Waiting List](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V3_PB_C8.md) - [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 3, Pt. B, Ch. 9 Applicants in Removal Proceedings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V3_PB_C9.md) - [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 3, Pt. B, Ch. 10 Duration and Extensions of Status](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V3_PB_C10.md) - [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 3, Pt. B, Ch. 11 Federal Benefits and Work Authorization](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V3_PB_C11.md) - [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 3, Pt. B, Ch. 12 Travel Outside the United States](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V3_PB_C12.md) - [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 3, Pt. B, Ch. 13 Revocation of Status](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V3_PB_C13.md) - [USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 3, Pt. B, Ch. 14 Confidentiality Protections and Prohibitions Against Disclosure](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V3_PB_C14.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/USCIS_PM_V3_PB_C8. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.