International Clearance Process

Per FIFA's Regulations, the international clearance process is required when any foreign-born player over the age of 10 is attempting to register with an affiliated club/team/league in the United States, regardless of that player's soccer ability or citizenship and one or both of the below instances apply:

  • Player was born outside of the United States, including U.S. citizens born abroad.

  • Player previously registered with a club/team/league outside of the United States. 

The home association, U.S. Soccer, is responsible for obtaining the clearance on behalf of these  players prior to their registration and participation with any U.S. Soccer affiliated club/team/ league.  Clearance is required for ALL players who meet one or both of the above instances regardless of past practices, age, nationality, club affiliation, or member organization with which the player is registering/participating.   Failure to adhere to the requirements can result in fines and/or sanctioning from both FIFA and U.S. Soccer.

For more details, visit the US Soccer International Clearance Process page.

The chart below explains which process should be used, depending on the player's age:

MINORS

FORM

APPLICANT REQUIREMENT

P10 Registration

· International clearances and first registrations for any player nine (9) years of age and younger at the time of registration regardless of citizenship.

First Registration - U.S. Citizen

· U.S. citizens born outside the United States who have never been registered at any level to play soccer in any other country.

· Holds physical proof of citizenship.

First Registration - U.S. Citizen – Awaiting Physical Proof

· U.S. citizens born outside the United States who have never been registered at any level to play soccer in any other country.

· Does not currently hold physical proof of citizenship but according to the United States government, is a U.S. citizen.

5 Year Exception

· Player is registering for the first time and has lived continuously in the United States for the last five years.

50km/31mi Exception

· Both the player and club are within 50km/31mi of their common national border.

· The distance between the two is less than 100km/62mi.

Parents Move Exception

· The parents of the player moved to the United States for reasons not linked to soccer.

· Includes United States citizens returning home to their family after studying abroad.

Exchange Student Exception

· The player is an exchange student undertaking an academic program in the United States.

Accompanied Refugee Exception

· The player is moving for humanitarian reasons with their parents.

Unaccompanied Refugee Exception

· The player is moving for humanitarian reasons without their parents.


*Any foreign-born players under the age of 10 should also submit 'Proof of Entry Prior to 10' documentation to U.S. Soccer in order to receive immediate clearance.

Please contact U.S. Soccer Registration Department with any questions.