FIFA imposed a general ban on the international transfer of minor players (age 10-17). Despite the ban FIFA has identified a few exceptions which minors can apply for an International Transfer Certificate or First Registration.  For more information on minor applications please refer to the Protection of Minors – Guide to Submitting a Minor Application (SEP 2020)  published by FIFA.  Player Status processes the identified exceptions as outlined below in the specific order required:

 

1.     Player Status uploads required materials to FIFA TMS for review and approval by FIFA.

2.     FIFA determines if the requirements of the submitted application are met and reviews the supporting documents.

3.     FIFA advises U.S. Soccer of their decision. FIFA does not have a timeline in which they will render a decision.

4.     FIFA decision received:

a.     Approval

                          i.     International Transfer Certificate (ITC) –  Player Status submits a request to FIFA TMS for an ITC for the minor.

                         ii.     First Registration –  Player Status reaches out to the foreign Member Association (MA) in the country of birth of the player to verify there has not been any previous registrations for the player. 

b.     Rejects or requests additional information

                          i.     Rejected application – FIFA does not provide  grounds for rejection. 

                         ii.     Additional document request – FIFA outlines what additional documents are required and indicates a specific period of time in which Player Status must send the documents. If the documents are not submitted within specified time the application will be rejected and will need to be resubmitted.

 

Until the above process is finalized, a player cannot appear on the teams’ official roster, participate in official games and tournaments as outlined by FIFA regulations.  This does not prohibit the player from participating in team trainings and training scrimmages.

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.