REQUEST FOR RENEWAL OF RECOGNITION OF A NON-PROFIT RELIGIOUS, CHARITABLE, SOCIAL SERVICE, OR SIMILAR ORGANIZATION - Agency recognition renewal requirements and application elements

Sep 13, 2026

This guide outlines how to renew DOJ recognition for a non-profit religious, charitable, social service, or similar organization. It explains renewal timing: conditional recognition lasts two years, renewed recognition is valid for six years, and timely applications filed on or before the expiration date keep recognition valid while the DOJ R&A Program reviews the request. Eligibility requirements are detailed, including tax-exempt status, access to immigration legal expertise, staff accreditation, qualified representation, and designation of an authorized officer. It also lists application elements and submission best practices.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time6 min

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Agency recognition renewal timing and status

Conditional and renewed recognition validity

Filing timing and proof of submission

Eligibility requirements

Core eligibility criteria for renewing organizations

Elements of the application

Cover letter

Form EOIR 31

Supporting documents and evidence

Checklist and best-practice guidance

Current checklist scope and legal-advice disclaimer

Cover letter guidance

Completing EOIR-31 sections

REQUEST FOR RENEWAL OF RECOGNITION OF A NON-PROFIT RELIGIOUS, CHARITABLE, SOCIAL SERVICE, OR SIMILAR ORGANIZATION Agency recognition must be renewed on a cycle. Organizations granted first-time recognition receive conditional recognition for two years and must apply for renewal of recognition at the end of the two-year period. Once renewed, recognition is valid for six years. If an application for renewal is filed and postmarked on or before the expiration date, recognition will remain valid pending the DOJ R & A Program’s consideration of the application, and the organization can continue to represent clients. This requires the organization to send it using a method that will provide documentation that it was sent electronically or mailed (postmarked) on or before the expiration date. The DOJ R & A Program prefers that you submit the application viae-mail [to](to: R-A-Info@usdoj.gov. For more)[:](to: R-A-Info@usdoj.gov. For more)[ ](to: R-A-Info@usdoj.gov. For more)[R-A-Info@usdoj.gov](to: R-A-Info@usdoj.gov. For more)[. For more](to: R-A-Info@usdoj.gov. For more) information, refer to the EOIR website. While not required, the DOJ R & A Program encourages filing the application at least 90 days before the expiration date. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR AGENCY RECOGNITION RENEWAL An organization renewing recognition must demonstrate that it continues to meet the eligibility requirements for recognition. There are six requirements for agency recognition: • The organization must be a non-profit religious, charitable, social service, or similar organization; • The organization must have federal tax-exempt status; • The organization must provide immigration legal services primarily to low- income or indigent clients within the U.S.; • The organization must have access to adequate knowledge, information, and experience in immigration law and procedure; • The organization must maintain at least one accredited representative on staff; and • The organization must designate an authorized officer to act on its behalf. ELEMENTS OF THE APPLICATION I. Cover Letter II. Form EOIR 31 (Request for New Recognition, Renewal of Recognition, Extension of Recognition of a Non-Profit Religious, Charitable, Social Service, or Similar Organization) III. Immigration program budget for the current and prior year IV. Description of legal resources your organization has access to V. Organizational chart identifying names and titles of immigration legal staff and supervisors VI. Resumes for attorney(s) on staff (if applicable) VII. Proof of formal agreement(s) to consult with and/or receive technical legal support from private counsel, Recognized Organizations, or other qualified sources (if applicable) VIII. Annual summaries IX. Fee schedule(s) and Fee Waiver/reduction policies all versions used since last recognition (if applicable) X. Proof of current federal tax-exempt status CHECKLIST FOR EACH ELEMENT OF THE APPLICATION This checklist is current as of the publication date. It does not constitute legal advice. The laws, interpretations ofthe laws, forms, and policies associated with DOJ recognition and accreditation change occasionally, so please confirm that the information in this guide is still current before relying on it. Please check the DOJ/EOIR website for form versions, instructions, recent case law regarding DOJ recognition and accreditation, and other important information. The website is [https://www.justice.gov/eoir/recognition-and-accreditation-program. We](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/recognition-and-accreditation-program. We) also encourage you to review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the recognition and accreditation program which is available on the EOIR website at the same link shown above. Additional information may be found in CLINIC’s DOJ Recognition and Accreditation Toolkit. I. Cover Letter Best Practice Tip! • Use CLINIC’s Sample Cover Letter as a guide. • The cove

FAQs

How long is recognition valid after renewal, and when should renewal be filed?

First-time recognition is conditional for two years. After renewal, recognition is valid for six years. Filing on or before the expiration date allows recognition to remain valid while the DOJ R&A Program considers the application.

What eligibility requirements must a renewing organization continue to meet?

The organization must remain a non-profit religious/charitable/social service (or similar) entity with federal tax-exempt status, primarily provide immigration legal services to low-income or indigent clients in the U.S., have adequate immigration law knowledge and experience, maintain at least one accredited representative, and designate an authorized officer.

What are the required elements included in the renewal application?

The application includes a cover letter, Form EOIR 31, an immigration program budget for the current and prior year, a description of legal resources, an organizational chart for immigration legal staff, attorney resumes (if applicable), proofs of formal consultation/support agreements (if applicable), annual summaries, and fee schedule(s) and fee waiver/reduction policies used since last recognition (if applicable), plus proof of current federal tax-exempt status.

Sep 13, 2026

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