EOIR-29 — Notice of Appeal to the BIA

Form EOIR-29, Notice of Appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals from a Decision of a DHS Officer, is filed when a noncitizen wants the BIA to review a decision USCIS issued — most commonly a denied I-130 family petition, a denied I-360 widow/VAWA self-petition, or a revoked petition. The appeal must be filed within 30 calendar days of the USCIS decision; the deadline is jurisdictional and missing it generally ends the case.

When EOIR-29 applies

• USCIS denied or revoked a petition where the regulations specifically allow appeal to the BIA (most family-based I-130 cases).
• The petition decision letter expressly states "you may appeal to the BIA on Form EOIR-29."
• You file within 30 days of the date of the decision (calendar days, not business days — count carefully).

When EOIR-29 does NOT apply

• USCIS decisions that route to the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) — those use Form I-290B, not EOIR-29.
• Decisions of an immigration judge in removal proceedings — those use Form EOIR-26 (appeal to the BIA from an IJ decision).
• Asylum denials referred to immigration court — there is no separate appeal; the case continues in court.

What we prepare

What we do not do

Imverica does not represent clients in immigration proceedings. Appeals to the BIA involve legal argument about immigration law, regulations, and case precedent — that is the practice of law and requires a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative. As a California Legal Document Assistant and Immigration Consultant, we prepare the form, organize supporting exhibits, and meet the strict 30-day deadline at your direction. The substantive legal brief and any oral argument must come from your attorney. We maintain a referral list of California immigration attorneys experienced in BIA appeals.