USCIS Issues Instructions on ELIS Information For Attorneys And Accredited Representatives

you wish to appear as an attorney or accredited representative ("representative") before USCIS for an applicant who has already filed his/her benefit request in USCIS ELIS, you must take the following steps:

• Create an online account in USCIS ELIS if you currently do not have a USCIS ELIS online account;
• Complete a Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative; and
• Write your USCIS ELIS online account number across the top of the Form G-28.

NOTE: USCIS cannot link your client’s case to your USCIS ELIS account and update the account to reflect that you are authorized to represent your client before USCIS and/or the Board of Immigration Appeals unless you write your USCIS ELIS representative online account number on the G-28.

• Form G-28 can be submitted in one of two ways:
  1. Your client scans and uploads the completed G-28 into USCIS ELIS to accompany his or her benefit request. Your client can upload the G-28 in USCIS ELIS by selecting View/Submit Additional Documents for Consideration from the View My Cases screen.
  2. You mail the completed G-28 to:
     Vermont Service Center
     ATTN: USCIS ELIS
     75 Lower Welden Street
     St Albans, VT 05479

Cases with Non-U.S. Mailing Addresses

Applicants, who select electronic notification, will receive an e-mail or text message to view his or her account for updates. USCIS will only mail proof of benefit documents (for example, updated I-94, Arrival-Departure Records; I-765, Employment Authorization Document) to a physical mailing address within the United States.

Creating a Permanent Representative Account

Complying with federal privacy regulations, a USCIS ELIS account will be deleted if the account holder (applicant) has not submitted a benefit request within 30 days of account creation. Representatives who do not submit a benefit request on behalf of their clients within 30 days of account creation will be required to complete the account set-up process again and e-sign an attestation verifying the accuracy of his or her USCIS ELIS online account information and profile. After e-signing, USCIS will provide the representative with a USCIS ELIS online account number and create a permanent representative account.

Uploading Documents

To respond to a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID), log into your USCIS ELIS account and go to View My Cases. Select the specific case and select Go. You will be taken to a page where you can click on a link to View/Respond to Request for Evidence (RFE) orView Respond to Notice of Intent to Deny.

To submit additional evidence to support your client’s case, log into your USCIS ELIS account and go to View My Cases. Select the specific case and select Go. You will be directed to a page where you can click on a link to View/Submit Additional Documents for Consideration.

New e-Filing Capabilities for Representatives – Starting January 14, 2013

Beginning January 14, 2013, you will no longer be required to collect a physical signature on the paper application and scan and upload the signature page to USCIS ELIS. You can electronically interact with your clients by providing the applicant with access to his or her case for review and electronic signature. For more details, see e-Filing Steps for Representatives.

Draft Benefit Requests

If you have prepared a draft benefit request for your client but have not been submitted it to USCIS, you will still be able to access the draft on or after January 14, 2013. When accessing the draft, you will be directed to the About You section to begin editing or updating the benefit request before final submission to USCIS.

NOTE: Your client will be required to verify case information in USCIS ELIS and begin or decline the e-signing process before the benefit request can be formally submitted to USCIS.

Controlled Access to USCIS ELIS Online Account

Your clients cannot make changes to, or pay for, a benefit request you draft. However, you can edit the benefit request on their behalf and then provide your clients with access to the revised benefit request for their review and e-signature. You can submit fee payments on behalf of your clients in USCIS ELIS.

If you have additional questions, please send an email to uscis-elis-feedback@uscis.dhs.gov.