USCIS Request for Evidence (RFE): What It Means and What to Do
Received a USCIS Request for Evidence? This guide explains what an RFE means, how to respond, common RFE reasons, and how to avoid mistakes that lead to denial.
Receiving a Request for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS can be alarming — but it's important to understand what it actually means before you panic. An RFE is not a denial. It's a request from the officer reviewing your case for additional documentation or clarification.
What is an RFE?
A Request for Evidence (RFE) is an official notice from USCIS that the officer reviewing your application needs more information or documentation before they can make a decision. When USCIS issues an RFE, they will mail you the notice and give you a specific deadline to respond — typically 87 days.
Missing the response deadline will almost certainly result in denial. Act promptly once you receive an RFE.
Common RFE reasons
For marriage-based green cards (I-485 / I-130)
- Insufficient evidence of a bona fide marriage
- Missing civil documents (marriage certificate, divorce decrees)
- Questions about unlawful presence periods
For H-1B petitions
- Specialty occupation evidence
- Employer-employee relationship
- Educational equivalency for foreign degrees
How to respond to an RFE
- Read it carefully and completely — understand every item being requested
- Mirror the structure — organize your response to address each point directly
- Provide more than asked — over-prepare your evidence package
- Use certified translations — any non-English document needs a certified translation
- Submit before the deadline — use tracking to confirm USCIS receives it in time
Track your case after an RFE response
Once you've submitted your RFE response, you'll want to know the moment USCIS makes a decision. Claria monitors your case every 6 hours and sends an instant email alert when anything changes — including when your RFE response is received and when a decision is made.