Form G-28I is the official USCIS Notice of Entry of Appearance used by attorneys and accredited representatives located outside the United States who want to represent a person before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. You file it to put your name on the record, get copies of notices, and speak for the client in immigration matters handled at U.S. consulates, embassies, or USCIS international field offices that still accept paper representation forms.
The wrong form, a missing signature, or a bar number left blank can delay a case for months, and under the 8 CFR §292.1 representation rules an unauthorized signer can be barred from practice. According to the American Immigration Lawyers Association 2025 practice survey, nearly 18% of overseas representation filings are rejected the first time, almost always for fixable G-28I errors.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📝 How to complete every line of Form G-28I without guessing
- 🌍 Which overseas representatives qualify under federal law
- ⚖️ The legal consequences of signing the wrong box
- 🧾 Three real filing scenarios with named clients and outcomes
- ❓ Answers to the top questions readers ask in 2026
What Form G-28I Really Is
Form G-28I is the international counterpart to the domestic Form G-28 Notice of Entry of Appearance. It tells USCIS that a representative based outside the United States is officially on the case. The form is governed by federal regulations at 8 CFR §292.1, which lists exactly who may represent someone before the agency.
The plain-English meaning is simple: if your representative lives or works abroad, they file G-28I, not G-28. The consequence of filing the wrong form is that USCIS will not send case notices to your representative, and any reply they send may be ignored. For example, Maria Lopez, a U.S. citizen in Texas, hired a Mexican attorney to help with her husband’s I-130 petition; the attorney filed a G-28 by mistake, so the I-797 receipt went only to Maria, who missed a Request for Evidence deadline.
A common misconception is that G-28I is just a courtesy filing. It is not. Without it on file, the USCIS Policy Manual Volume 1, Part A, Chapter 7 bars the representative from receiving confidential case information.
Who Can Sign Form G-28I
The representative must fall inside one of the categories listed in 8 CFR §292.1(a). These include attorneys licensed in any U.S. state, attorneys licensed only in a foreign country, accredited representatives of DOJ-recognized organizations, law students, law graduates not yet admitted to a bar, and reputable individuals serving without payment.
Each category has limits. A foreign attorney can only represent clients in matters outside the geographic United States, per 8 CFR §292.1(a)(6). The consequence of crossing that line, such as appearing at a Chicago USCIS field office, is loss of authority and possible bar referral.
A real example: Daniel Okafor, a Nigerian barrister, filed G-28I for a client’s consular processing in Lagos and properly listed himself under the foreign-attorney category, which kept his appearance valid throughout the case.
G-28 vs. G-28I at a Glance
Picking the wrong cover form is the most common rejection reason in overseas filings. The two forms look similar but answer different questions about where the representative sits.
| Feature | Form G-28 | Form G-28I |
|---|---|---|
| Representative location | Inside the United States | Outside the United States |
| Typical filer | U.S.-licensed attorney in the U.S. | Foreign attorney or U.S. attorney based abroad |
| Filing channel | Paper or USCIS online account | Paper only in most cases |
| Governing rule | 8 CFR §292.1 | Same regulation, international application |
| Scope | All USCIS matters | Matters tied to overseas offices, consulates, or remote filings |
The plain-English rule is that location of the representative, not the client, controls the choice. The consequence of mixing this up is a rejected representation and missed notices. Anika Patel, a U.S. attorney living in Singapore, must use G-28I even though she is admitted in New York, because she practices from abroad.
Step-by-Step: Filling Out Form G-28I
The current edition of the form is published on the USCIS forms page and should always be downloaded fresh because outdated editions are rejected. The form has six parts plus a signature block. Each part asks specific questions, and each answer carries a consequence if left blank or wrong.
Before you start, gather the representative’s bar admission details, the client’s full legal name, A-Number if any, the receipt number of any pending case, and the mailing address abroad. The USCIS form instructions are the controlling guide, and reading them once before typing saves hours later.
Part 1: Information About Attorney or Representative
Part 1 collects the representative’s identity. You enter full legal name, the bar or licensing authority, the license number, and any DOJ accreditation status. The plain-English meaning is that USCIS uses this block to verify you are eligible under federal law.
The consequence of leaving the bar number blank is automatic rejection under the USCIS form acceptance criteria. A common misconception is that listing the firm name is enough; it is not, because the regulation focuses on the individual person. Pedro Alvarez, an attorney in Buenos Aires, once skipped the licensing-authority field and saw his appearance rejected even though his name was on the firm letterhead.
Part 2: Eligibility Information for Attorney or Accredited Representative
Part 2 is the boxed list of eligibility categories. You must check exactly one box that matches your status, such as licensed attorney, accredited representative, law student, law graduate, or reputable individual.
The plain-English explanation is that this box tells USCIS which slot of 8 CFR §292.1 you fall into. The consequence of checking more than one box, or none, is rejection. A reputable-individual filer must also attach a written statement explaining the connection to the client, because the USCIS Policy Manual on representation requires that the relationship be non-commercial.
Part 3: Notice of Appearance as Attorney or Representative
Part 3 is where you tell USCIS which case you are entering. You list the client name, A-Number, the form being filed, and the receipt number if one exists. You also pick whether the appearance covers a single matter or all matters within a defined scope.
The consequence of choosing too narrow a scope is that the representative cannot answer a Request for Evidence on a related petition. Sara Chen, a Hong Kong–based U.S. attorney, limited her appearance to an I-130 only and could not respond when USCIS sent an I-485 RFE later in the same family case. A common misconception is that G-28I covers Department of State consular processing automatically; it does not, and a separate DS-260 representation entry may be needed.
Part 4: Client’s Consent to Representation
Part 4 is the client’s written consent. The client signs to authorize the representative, to allow release of records, and to permit communication. The plain-English meaning is that without this signature there is no valid representation.
The consequence of a missing client signature is rejection under the USCIS Filing Guidance. A common misconception is that a scanned signature is fine; USCIS accepts reproduced signatures since the March 2020 signature flexibility update, but the original must still exist in the representative’s file.
Part 5: Signature of Attorney or Representative
Part 5 is the representative’s own signature and date. By signing, the representative certifies under penalty of perjury that all information is true and that they meet the eligibility category checked in Part 2.
A signature with a future date is treated as defective. The consequence under 18 U.S.C. §1546 of a knowingly false signature can include criminal penalties. Liam O’Sullivan, a Dublin solicitor, once signed a G-28I dated three days ahead because of time-zone confusion, and the form was rejected within a week.
Part 6: Additional Information
Part 6 is the overflow space. You use it when an answer in Parts 1 through 5 needs more room, such as multiple bar admissions or a long client history.
The plain-English rule is that nothing typed here is read unless you write the part and item number it relates to. The consequence of a vague entry is that the officer ignores it. A common misconception is that you can use Part 6 to argue the merits of the case; that belongs in the underlying petition, not the appearance form.
Three Common Filing Scenarios
Real cases show how these rules play out. The three scenarios below cover the most popular fact patterns reported in the USCIS FY 2025 ombudsman report.
Scenario 1: Foreign Attorney Filing for I-130 Beneficiary
| Filing Step | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Carlos Mendez, attorney in Mexico City, files G-28I for his client’s I-130 consular case | Appearance accepted because foreign attorney box matches the overseas matter |
| Carlos checks box for foreign-licensed attorney in Part 2 | USCIS verifies through the Mexican Bar registry |
| Carlos lists scope as “all matters tied to this I-130 and follow-on consular processing” | Receives every notice and the Request for Evidence on time |
Scenario 2: U.S. Attorney Living Abroad
| Filing Step | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Anika Patel, New York–admitted attorney living in Singapore, files G-28I for an asylum referral | Accepted because the controlling factor is her overseas address |
| Checks the licensed-attorney box and lists New York bar number | USCIS confirms good standing through the New York Office of Court Administration |
| Limits scope to the Form I-589 only | Cannot later respond to a related I-765 work permit RFE without a new G-28I |
Scenario 3: Law Graduate Helping Pro Bono
| Filing Step | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Ravi Sharma, recent law graduate in Mumbai, files G-28I to help a relative’s humanitarian parole request | Accepted because the law-graduate category is recognized under 8 CFR §292.1(a)(2) |
| Includes supervising attorney’s written authorization | USCIS treats the appearance as valid for the single matter |
| Files Form I-131 and the G-28I together | Receipt notice goes to both Ravi and the supervising attorney |
Mistakes to Avoid
Even careful filers slip on small details that produce big delays. Each mistake below has a real consequence under federal regulation or USCIS policy.
- Filing G-28 instead of G-28I when the representative is overseas, which voids notice delivery
- Leaving the bar number blank, which causes immediate rejection under USCIS filing tips
- Checking more than one eligibility box, which makes the form ambiguous and unenforceable
- Using an outdated edition from a private website instead of the official USCIS form, which results in a non-acceptance notice
- Forgetting the client signature in Part 4, which removes the legal basis for representation
- Defining scope too narrowly, which forces a second G-28I when a related petition appears
- Listing a U.S. street address for an overseas representative, which contradicts the form’s purpose
- Skipping Part 6 references when overflow data is added, which means the officer never reads it
- Using a foreign-attorney signature for a domestic matter, which violates 8 CFR §292.1(a)(6)
- Failing to update G-28I after a name change or address move, which causes lost mail and missed deadlines
Do’s and Don’ts
The do’s and don’ts below come straight from USCIS form filing guidance and decades of practitioner experience.
Do’s
- Do download a fresh copy from the official USCIS G-28I page, because edition control matters
- Do verify your eligibility category against 8 CFR §292.1, because a wrong box voids the appearance
- Do match the address on G-28I to the address on the underlying petition, because mismatch triggers RFEs
- Do keep an original wet-signed copy in your file, because USCIS may request the original later
- Do file a new G-28I for each new petition number, because old ones do not roll forward
Don’ts
- Don’t sign on behalf of the client, because only the client can authorize representation
- Don’t use white-out or correction tape, because USCIS form tips require clean entries
- Don’t list a P.O. box as the representative’s primary address, because USCIS prefers a physical address
- Don’t promise outcomes in Part 6, because the form is not a brief
- Don’t combine multiple clients on one G-28I, because each client needs a separate appearance
Pros and Cons of Filing Form G-28I
Filing G-28I has clear benefits, but it also creates obligations the representative must understand before signing.
Pros
- Receives copies of every USCIS notice, which protects the client from missed deadlines
- Creates a clean record of who is authorized, which helps if disputes arise later
- Allows direct communication with USCIS, which speeds up Requests for Evidence
- Complies with 8 CFR §292.1, which prevents disciplinary referrals
- Builds an audit trail for ethics review under the EOIR practitioner discipline rules
Cons
- Locks the representative into ethical duties under 8 CFR §1003.102, which can lead to sanctions for misconduct
- Adds paperwork to every petition, which raises administrative cost
- Limits the representative to the scope they checked, which can require multiple filings
- Creates ongoing notice-monitoring duties, which are heavy in time-zone-distant offices
- Exposes the signer to perjury risk under 18 U.S.C. §1546, which is criminal not civil
Filing Logistics and Where to Send G-28I
The G-28I goes wherever the underlying petition goes. If the petition is filed at a USCIS lockbox, G-28I rides on top as the cover sheet. If the case is at a USCIS international field office, the G-28I goes directly to that office.
The plain-English rule is follow the petition. The consequence of mailing G-28I to the wrong location is that it sits in a separate file and never connects to the case. Hannah Becker, a German attorney, mailed her G-28I to Vermont while the I-130 went to Texas; the appearance was lost for six weeks until both files were merged.
A common misconception is that G-28I can be e-filed in all cases. As of 2026, USCIS online filing supports G-28 for most domestic forms but G-28I for only a limited set of remote-eligible petitions, so paper filing remains the default.
Fees and Edition Updates
There is no separate filing fee for G-28I, which is confirmed on the USCIS fee schedule. The plain-English meaning is that the form is free, but the underlying petition still carries its own fee.
The consequence of using a superseded edition is rejection of the entire package, even if the petition is correct. A common misconception is that USCIS will simply swap an old edition for a new one; it will not, and you must restart the filing. Tomás Rivera, a Madrid attorney, lost two weeks because his G-28I was the prior edition pulled from a paid template site instead of the USCIS forms portal.
Key Entities You Should Know
USCIS is the agency that adjudicates immigration benefits. The Department of Justice runs the Executive Office for Immigration Review, which handles practitioner accreditation and discipline. The Department of State controls consular processing where G-28I representation may overlap.
State bars matter too, because USCIS verifies licensure through them. The American Bar Association sets ethics norms many practitioners follow even when not required. The DHS Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman tracks form-rejection trends and publishes annual data.
Each entity plays a different role. USCIS receives the form, EOIR disciplines bad actors, State Department handles consular work, and the ombudsman watches the system. The consequence of ignoring any one of these is a blind spot that hurts the client.
Recap of Relevant Rulings
Federal courts have repeatedly enforced the rules behind G-28I. In Matter of Velasquez, 19 I&N Dec. 377 (BIA 1986), the Board held that notice to a properly appearing representative is notice to the client, which is the core legal benefit of filing G-28I.
In Hernandez v. Mukasey, 524 F.3d 1014 (9th Cir. 2008), the court ruled that a missing or defective representation form can equal ineffective assistance and reopen a case. The plain-English takeaway is that the form is not paperwork for paperwork’s sake; courts treat it as a building block of due process.
A common misconception is that the agency will overlook a small G-28I error. Rulings show the opposite: when the form is wrong, communication breaks, and when communication breaks, deadlines are missed, and when deadlines are missed, cases are denied.
State-Level Nuances
Federal law controls G-28I, but state bar rules touch the representative. New York, California, and Texas each require attorneys to keep client communications under specific state bar ethics rules, even when practicing abroad.
The plain-English rule is that even though USCIS is federal, your state bar still polices your conduct. The consequence of ignoring state ethics rules is discipline back home, separate from any USCIS sanction. Jonathan Wright, a California attorney based in Tokyo, faced a California State Bar inquiry for missed client communications even though USCIS never complained.
A common misconception is that working from overseas frees the attorney from state oversight. It does not, and the bar can suspend a license based on conduct anywhere in the world.
FAQs
Is Form G-28I required for every overseas representative?
Yes. Any attorney or accredited representative based outside the United States must file G-28I to appear before USCIS, or the agency will not recognize them on the case.
Can a paralegal sign Form G-28I?
No. Only a person who fits an eligibility category in 8 CFR §292.1 may sign, and paralegals working alone do not qualify.
Does Form G-28I expire?
No. The form stays valid for the matter listed until the representation ends, the client withdraws consent, or the representative files a withdrawal.
Can I file Form G-28I online?
No. As of 2026, most G-28I filings remain paper-based, with limited online filing available only for select remote-eligible petitions on the USCIS online portal.
Is there a filing fee for Form G-28I?
No. The form itself is free under the USCIS fee schedule, but the underlying petition still carries its own fee.
Can a foreign attorney represent a client at a U.S. USCIS office?
No. Under 8 CFR §292.1(a)(6), a foreign-licensed attorney may only handle matters outside the geographic United States.
Do I need a new G-28I for each petition?
Yes. Each petition or application gets its own G-28I, because the form ties to a specific receipt number and scope of representation.
Can the client revoke representation after signing?
Yes. The client may revoke at any time by writing to USCIS, and the representative must then withdraw using a written notice referencing the original G-28I.
Will USCIS still send notices to the client after G-28I is filed?
Yes. USCIS sends notices to both the client and the representative, but the representative becomes the primary contact for case correspondence.
Can law students file G-28I?
Yes. Under 8 CFR §292.1(a)(2), law students may appear with a supervising attorney’s written authorization and the client’s consent.
Does a typed signature count on G-28I?
No. USCIS requires a handwritten or reproduced handwritten signature under its signature policy; a typed name is not enough.
Can I list two attorneys on one G-28I?
No. Each G-28I covers one representative, and a co-counsel must file a separate G-28I for the same matter.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out USCIS Form G-1566 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out USCIS Form G-884 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out USCIS Form I-360 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out USCIS Form I-539A (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out USCIS Form I-914 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out DOJ Form EOIR-28 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out USCIS Form I-821 (w/Examples) + FAQs