NYSWYSA - New York State West Youth Soccer Association

International Clearance Instructions & Forms

USSF Application for International Clearance form

NYSW International Clearance Wavier form

In the past, in accordance with FIFA rules, Regulations for the Status and Transfer of Players, Chapter IV, Article 7 required that all amateur and non-amateur players must have an international clearance before registering with another team in another country. Chapter IX, Article 35 states that players under the age of twelve do not require an international clearance.

The United States Youth Soccer has changed it rules in regards to players under the age of 17. Under this new resolution, the Federation has permission to allow players through the age of 16 to play with our affiliated teams when they move to this country with their parents or as part of a student exchange program. All players coming to this country after the age of 12 and who are 17 years of age, must secure an international clearance per FIFA rules before being registered to a team in this country.

To recap:

Player comes into the country prior to his/her 12th birthday: no international clearance required.
Player comes into the country after his/her 12th birthday, but prior to their 17th birthday, must file an international clearance wavier with the national state association and then can be registered without further delay.
Player comes into the country after his/her 12th birthday and who are 17 years of age: must apply and secure an international clearance from USSF and will not be permitted to be registered for play until the international clearance has been granted from USSF.

Applications for International Clearance and International Clearance Wavier are available from your NYSWYSA website, or the state office. All completed applications for International Clearance and must be forwarded to the NYSWYSA State Office for approval. After approval, the NYSWYSA State Office will forward as required to the USSF. Once approved by USSF, notification will come back to the NYSWYSA State Office. The NYSWYSA State Office will then notify all parties involved if the player is cleared to register. There is no fee for International Clearance or International Clearance Wavier.