On August 4, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its immigration policy to restrict visa eligibility for transgender women seeking to compete in women's sports. This policy change affects visa categories such as O-1A, EB-1, EB-2, and national interest waivers, considering participation in women's sports as a negative factor in visa evaluations. USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser stated that the move aims to ensure fairness and safety in women's athletics, asserting that only biological females should be eligible for such sports visas. This policy aligns with broader actions by President Donald Trump's administration, including a February executive order titled "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports." The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee also recently revised its policies to comply with the order. While proponents believe these measures protect women's sports, critics argue they violate the rights of transgender athletes.
The policy update clarifies that USCIS considers the fact that a male athlete has been competing against women as a negative factor in determining whether the athlete is among the top in the field. USCIS does not consider a male athlete who has gained acclaim in men's sports and seeks to compete in women's sports in the United States to be seeking to continue work in his area of extraordinary ability. The guidance, effective immediately, applies to benefit requests pending or filed on or after the publication date and supersedes any related prior guidance. For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit the official USCIS website.