To become a USCIS accredited representative, you need to be approved by the Department of Justice through its Recognition and Accreditation (R&A) Program while working for, or volunteering with, a DOJ-recognized nonprofit that files the accreditation request on your behalf. There is no solo path. The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) inside the DOJ reviews both applications, and both have to succeed before you can take clients.
Choose Partial or Full Accreditation
Accreditation comes in two levels, and the difference matters for what you’ll be allowed to do.
A partially accredited representative can prepare immigration forms, give legal advice, and represent clients before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. That covers work like green card applications, employment authorization, and naturalization. A fully accredited representative can do all of that and also appear before the immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals, which means deportation defense, asylum hearings, and appeals.1eCFR. 8 CFR 1292.12 – Accreditation of Representatives
The knowledge bar for full accreditation is higher: on top of the baseline immigration law knowledge required for partial accreditation, you have to show skills related to trial and appellate advocacy.1eCFR. 8 CFR 1292.12 – Accreditation of Representatives Most people start with partial accreditation and move up later once they have courtroom-relevant experience.
Confirm You’re Eligible
You must be employed by or volunteer for a recognized organization, or for an organization applying for recognition at the same time it applies to accredit you. Licensed attorneys are not eligible for accreditation, because attorneys already have separate authority to represent clients in immigration matters.1eCFR. 8 CFR 1292.12 – Accreditation of Representatives
You also have to pass a character and fitness evaluation. EOIR looks at criminal history, prior dishonesty or fraud, a pattern of neglecting professional or financial obligations, and whether your immigration status creates any conflict of interest.1eCFR. 8 CFR 1292.12 – Accreditation of Representatives Anyone who resigned from a previous position while under a disciplinary investigation, or who is currently restricted from practicing law, is ineligible.2U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Department of Justice Recognition and Accreditation Program Tip Sheet
Work Through a Recognized Nonprofit
You cannot apply on your own behalf. The organization has to be recognized by the DOJ, or apply for recognition at the same time it requests your accreditation.3U.S. Department of Justice. Recognition and Accreditation Program
Only nonprofits qualify. The organization has to be a religious, charitable, social service, or similar entity with federal tax-exempt status, and it must primarily serve low-income or indigent clients with immigration legal services.4eCFR. 8 CFR 1292.11 – Recognition of an Organization If it charges fees for immigration work, it needs a written policy for accommodating clients who can’t pay. It also has to show adequate knowledge of immigration law, including access to attorneys for technical support.
If you don’t already work for an eligible nonprofit, that’s the first practical step: get hired or take on a volunteer role at one.
Complete the Training
Training is where most applications succeed or fail. The regulations require “broad knowledge and adequate experience in immigration law and procedure,” and your application has to include concrete proof.1eCFR. 8 CFR 1292.12 – Accreditation of Representatives At a minimum, the organization must submit a description of your qualifications, letters of recommendation from at least two people familiar with your abilities, and documentation of all relevant formal immigration training, including at least one course covering the fundamentals of immigration law, procedure, and practice.
Single webinars don’t cut it. EOIR expects applicants for initial accreditation to have completed at least one comprehensive formal training course providing an overview of immigration law. Organizations like the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) offer intensive multi-week courses built specifically for aspiring accredited representatives. If you’re going for full accreditation, you also have to document training, education, or experience in trial and appellate advocacy.
As of December 15, 2025, EOIR introduced new training hour requirements for renewal.3U.S. Department of Justice. Recognition and Accreditation Program Start tracking hours from day one; you’ll need them later.
File Form EOIR-31A
Your organization files Form EOIR-31A to request your accreditation. If the organization isn’t already recognized, it files Form EOIR-31 for itself at the same time. Both forms are on the EOIR website and must be completed electronically.5U.S. Department of Justice. Form EOIR-31 – Request for New Recognition, Renewal of Recognition, Extension of Recognition A separate Form EOIR-31A is required for each person the organization wants accredited.
Your EOIR-31A packet covers your educational background, immigration law experience, character references, and formal training documentation, plus the at-least-two letters of recommendation.6U.S. Department of Justice. Form EOIR-31A – Request by Organization for Accreditation or Renewal of Accreditation of Non-Attorney Representative
There is no government filing fee for either form.7Executive Office for Immigration Review. Forms and Fees EOIR prefers applications by email to R-A-Info@usdoj.gov rather than by postal mail.3U.S. Department of Justice. Recognition and Accreditation Program
One step trips people up: the organization also has to serve a copy of the complete application on the USCIS District Director in every district where it offers or intends to offer immigration legal services, and include proof of that service with the application filed with EOIR.8eCFR. 8 CFR 1292.13 – Applying for Recognition of Organizations or Accreditation of Representatives Missing proof of service is a common cause of delay.
What Happens After You File
Once USCIS receives its copy, it has 30 days to review the application and submit a recommendation to EOIR’s Office of Policy, which runs the R&A Program. USCIS can recommend approval or disapproval, or ask for more time (usually up to another 30 days) to investigate.8eCFR. 8 CFR 1292.13 – Applying for Recognition of Organizations or Accreditation of Representatives
If USCIS files an unfavorable recommendation, the organization has 30 days from receiving it to respond. The Office of Policy may also request input from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. EOIR then reviews everything and issues a written determination.9U.S. Department of Justice. Recognition and Accreditation Program Frequently Asked Questions
A denial isn’t final. The organization can request reconsideration within 30 days, and if that’s also denied, request administrative review by the EOIR Director within 10 days. A new application can also be filed at any time unless otherwise prohibited.10eCFR. 8 CFR Part 1292 – Recognition of Organizations and Accreditation of Representatives
Renewal Every Three Years
Individual accreditation lasts three years. Renewal is on the same Form EOIR-31A and isn’t automatic.11eCFR. 8 CFR 1292.16 – Renewal of Recognition and Accreditation Each renewal has to show you still meet all eligibility requirements and have continued receiving formal training in immigration law throughout the accreditation period. With the new training hour requirements effective December 15, 2025, keep detailed records from the start.
Organizational recognition runs on a separate clock (six years standard, two years for conditional recognition), and the organization has to notify EOIR in writing of any material changes during that period, such as changes to contact information or structure. Letting those notifications slide can create trouble when your renewal comes around.
Rules That Can Cost You the Credential
Accredited representatives are held to professional conduct standards under federal regulations. A few areas cause most of the trouble:
- Fees. You can’t personally charge clients for immigration services. Regular compensation from your organization is fine; collecting separate fees from clients is sanctionable.
- False statements. Knowingly making a false statement of material fact or submitting false evidence can lead to discipline. If you realize you’ve inadvertently offered false evidence, the regulations require remedial steps.
- Solicitation. Directly soliciting clients through in-person or live phone contact, when you have no prior relationship with the person, is prohibited.
- Bribery and coercion. Trying to influence any party or government employee through bribes or coercion in a case is grounds for sanctions.
These aren’t the only grounds. Other conduct that harms the public interest can also trigger discipline, and sanctions range up to termination of your accreditation and, in serious cases, of your organization’s recognition.12eCFR. 8 CFR 1003.102 – Grounds
Finding a Recognized Organization to Join
If you don’t yet work for a recognized nonprofit, EOIR publishes rosters of all currently recognized organizations and accredited representatives, organized alphabetically and by state.13U.S. Department of Justice. Recognition and Accreditation Roster Reports The rosters are a practical way to identify nonprofits near you that already participate in the program and may be looking for staff or volunteers, which is the doorway into the rest of this process.