2023 Ultimate RFE Guide: RFE Sample and Response Cover Letter Template

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You will be required to supply missing documentation to confirm that you are eligible for the immigration benefits you are pursuing.

Get more information on how to respond to an RFE. Includes a cover letter template.

A Request For Evidence, or “RFE” for short, is a documented requirement to supply missing or complementary information or files to USCIS.

In the event you get an RFE, it just implies:

Getting an RFE is not a cause for panic, nor does it imply that your application has been denied.

Request for Evidence (RFE) General Introduction

The RFE is a request from the USCIS for additional information or documentation related to an individual’s I-485 application for permanent residence. It is important to note that an RFE does not mean that the application has been denied. It simply means that the USCIS needs more information in order to make a decision.

Why does receiving RFE mean a bad sign for your application

Receiving an RFE for an I-485 application for permanent residence can be stressful and may be seen as a bad sign by some individuals. While an RFE does not necessarily mean that the application will be denied, it does indicate that the USCIS needs more information or documentation in order to make a decision. This can cause delays in the processing of the application and may lead to uncertainty and anxiety for the applicant. Additionally, it is important to note that if an applicant fails to respond to the RFE, the application will be denied.

Getting an RFE may be considered a good indication.

On the other hand, receiving an RFE does indicate that the USCIS is actively reviewing the application and considering it for approval. An RFE is a request for additional information or documentation that the USCIS needs in order to make a decision rather than a denial of the application. Therefore, if an applicant is able to provide the requested information or documentation in a timely manner, it may increase the chances of the application being approved.

Thus, the fact that you got an RFE implies that you are qualified for the immigration benefits you requested, yet your documentation is missing something ( normally minor), and USCIS just requires documentation verification of certain areas of your application before granting it.

It is important for an applicant to closely review the RFE and provide the requested information or documentation as quickly as possible to avoid any further delays or potential denial of the application.

As soon as an RFE is filed, USCIS stops to process your application till the deadline for your answer or response has gone by.

What is in the RFE Letter, and Why am I Get It?

The RFE letter is likely to be messy and ambiguous.

It is normally filled with legalese and cites certain immigration legal provisions.

Nevertheless, read the RFE letter slowly and pose questions at this point; you do not comprehend it.

Please ensure that you understand the following:

Keep in mind that you will just have one opportunity to reply to the RFE letter.

Not responding or presenting the required information or documentation might lead to the denial of your application.

An I-485 RFE Sample of 2023

An RFE typically includes three main parts: the reason for the RFE, the specific information or documentation that is needed, and the deadline for submitting the requested information. The first part, “Why we are writing you,” explains the reason for the RFE and the specific issues or discrepancies that the USCIS has identified in the application. The second part, “What you need to do,” lists the specific information or documentation that is needed to address the issues or discrepancies identified in the first part. The third part, “When you need to do it,” specifies the deadline for submitting the requested information or documentation.

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Why We Are Writing You

In this sample, the first part, “Why We Are Writing you,” USCIS mentioned:

On March 24, 2022, you submitted your Form I-485. We are writing to inform you that we need more information from you to make a decision on your case. Please read this letter carefully and follow all of the instructions below.

This is mainly explained why USCIS issued you the RFE and what this RFE is about. We can tell from this example the RFE is for I-485 and not for I-130.

What You Need to Do

In this sample, the second part, “What You Need to Do,” USCIS mentioned:

You must provide the following information in order for us to make a final decision on your case. Please include a copy of ALL pages of this letter with your response.

You have submitted Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, from the petitioning sponsor. We are unable to process the I-864 because it has one or more deficiencies. In order for us to process your application further, you must:

For further instructions and the latest edition of Form I-864, visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov. See Specific Instructions and Specific Requirements listed in the I-864 instructions for complete information.

The petitioning sponsor, on Form 1-864, Affidavit of Support, must submit a complete Federal income tax return submitted to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the most recent tax year. If they submit a transcript, it must be a “Tax Return Transcript” from the IRS.

If they were not required to file a Federal income tax return under U.S. tax law, attach a written explanation of why they were not required to file. See “Filing Requirements” in the IRS Form 1040 Filing Instructions to determine whether they were required to file.

The petitioning sponsor lists their current income on Form I-864 as an amount to be considered as sufficient; however, no evidence has been submitted as proof of current income.

Submit evidence of the petitioning sponsor current income. Such evidence should include:

Submit all supporting tax documentation (W-2s, 1099s, Form 2555, and all supporting tax schedules) submitted to the Internal Revenue Service for the most recent tax year.

The petitioning sponsor,must submit all supporting tax documents for the most recent tax year.

You have submitted Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, from the joint sponsor,We are unable to process the I-864 because it has one or more deficiencies. In order for us to process your application further, you must:

For further instructions and the latest edition of Form I-864, visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov. See Specific Instructions and Specific Requirements listed in the Form I-864 instructions for complete information.

For this part of RFE, USCIS will explain to you what document they recommend you submit. During the RFE in this example, we need to provide the sponsor and joint sponsor the document to prove their current income on Form I-864 is sufficient and evidence to support such a claim.

When You Need To Do It

You must submit the requested information by December 10, 2022. You must either mail the requested information to the address shown below or scan and upload your response using your USCIS online account (if applicable).

You must submit all of the requested evidence at one time. If you submit only part of the evidence, we will make a decision based on the evidence that you submit. We will not consider any evidence that is submitted after the due date.

If you do not respond to this request by the date shown above, we will deny your case.

If you submit a document in any language other than English, you must provide: (1) a copy of the original document in its foreign language; and (2) a full English translation of the document. The translator must certify that the translation is complete and accurate, and that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language to English.

We strongly recommend you keep a copy of all documents that you submit to USCIS in response to this request.

For this part of RFE, USCIS provides the following important tips regarding the RFE response:

All RFEs include the same general information:

USCIS Scanning Code

At the upper part of the letter, you are going to discover a scan code.

This code is utilized by USCIS to track your RFE letter and documents.

When you return the required RFE files, USCIS also scans the letter, so USCIS requires that you present the RFE letter along with the documents you filed.

Information Regarding Your Application

In general, the initial or second paragraph outlines your application, the forms you are presenting, the persons involved, and the benefits claimed.

Use this information to check whether USCIS is thinking about the appropriate benefits or forms.

Provisions of the Immigration Law

On most occasions, your RFE will summarize U.S. immigration law in the way it relates to your application and the documents being required.

Comprehending the law, particularly immigration law, is likely to be difficult.

In the event you have any problems, you should likely devote time to studying your legal problems or get in touch with an immigration attorney.

Evidence You Presented

Your RFE may lay out the documents that you initially presented with your application.

You have to carefully check this part to see whether the documents you did present were omitted by USCIS.

Check this part to determine if you are required to present further documents that may support the petition under consideration.

Request for evidence

The RFE will then list the documents requested by USCIS.

This letter is likely to cover the purpose of asking for these documents.

It is likely to provide an explanation of where you are able to get the required documents.

It is also likely to inform you of what documents should be presented in the event that the required documents are not available or cannot be acquired.

Application Deadline and Location of RFE Mailing

Your RFE usually provides you with a date by which you have to respond.

This deadline is generally between 30 and 90 days; however, it has been possible to meet it for as long as 120 days.

Missing the deadline for an RFE response can have serious consequences for an I-485 application for permanent residence.

The USCIS will not consider any information or documentation submitted after the deadline, and failure to respond to an RFE can result in the denial of the application.

It is crucial for an applicant to closely monitor the deadline and ensure that all requested information and documentation is submitted on time.

In case I get an RFE letter, what do I need to do?

In the event you get an RFE letter, the one and only thing you ought to do is. Don’t panic!

Keep in mind that because USCIS has the right to reject your application, not even to send an RFE letter, the fact that you got the letter is useful and positive.

USCIS is offering you a chance to make up for the shortcomings in your application.

Three Methods of handling the RFE

You will be able to reply to RFE letters in three manners:

1. You can respond to all questions in the RFE Letter

As you are adhering to your RFE, present all required documents in one envelope.

Don’t overlook attaching a copy of the initial RFE letter you received.

You have to also write a cover letter justifying the documents you presented and why.

This gives USCIS all the information they require to make a beneficial determination.

2. You are able to respond RFE partially

Part of the response implies:

This is likely to be problematic since USCIS will not be able to get all the documents to decide in your favor.

We recommend that you only give a partial reply in the event that you are unable to get the required documents.

In the event that this is the case, a cover letter from USCIS that contains the following:

In the event that you present documents in addition to those that were specifically required in the RFE, the examining officer may, at his or her discretion, consider those documents, although he or she is not bound to do so.

USCIS will treat a part of the reply as a requirement to consider your application in light of the evidence submitted.

3. You are able to Decline to Respond

A denied reply implies that you have not responded to your RFE.

USCIS will treat this as a request to retract your application.

If you select Respond, the Steps to Undertake.

In the event you select to respond or partially respond, please make the following: