What percentage of RFE is approved?

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USCIS approval rates for petitions that receive a Request for Evidence (RFE) vary significantly by visa category, but generally hover around 80% to 85%. Successfully responding to an RFE means the vast majority of applications are eventually approved.

What is the approval rate for RFE?

H-1B RFE Approval Rate

Based on a VisaNation analysis of USCIS data, the rate of approval with an RFE is 85.4% in FY 2025 (based on two quarters of data). This approval rate is slightly higher relative to the chances from prior years, such as 84.9% in FY 2024 and 81.4% in FY 2023.

Is it common to get RFE from USCIS?

A Request for Evidence (RFE) is one of the most common procedural hurdles in U.S. immigration practice. It signals that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires additional information before deciding on a pending application or petition.

What is the most common RFE for I-140?

Across all employer-sponsored I-140 petitions [EB-1C, and PERM-based EB-2, and EB-3], the most common and persistent RFE is the request for updated evidence of the petitioner's ability to pay the proffered wage from the priority date onward.

Can USCIS deny after RFE response?

Yes. While an RFE itself is not a denial, USCIS can deny the petition if the response does not provide sufficient evidence. Denials often happen when the response is incomplete, inconsistent, submitted late, or fails to address USCIS's specific concerns listed in the RFE notice.

Why an H-1B RFE if 2 Extensions Already Approved?

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How long will USCIS respond to RFE?

USCIS generally takes 60 to 90 days to review and make a decision after receiving a response to a Request for Evidence (RFE). While some simple cases may be approved in 30 days, total processing time for an RFE can add 3-5 months to the overall application timeline depending on complexity and workload.

What are common RFE reasons?

Most Common Reasons People Get RFEs

  • Inconsistent or missing documents. (e.g., address mismatches, incorrect dates, lack of joint evidence in marriage-based cases)
  • Missing certified translations. ...
  • Financial sponsorship problems. ...
  • Photos or forms that don't meet USCIS standards. ...
  • Failure to prove a bona fide marriage.

Will USCIS send a second RFE?

Second RFE – If more clarification or documents are needed, USCIS might issue another RFE. Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) – If USCIS intends to deny the petition but wants to give you a final opportunity to respond, you'll receive a NOID.

What is the current wait time for I-140 approval?

The current standard wait time for Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) varies between 7 to 12 months on average, depending on the employment category and the processing service center.

How to know if RFE is approved?

After submitting your RFE response:

  1. USCIS typically resumes processing your case within 60 days, though it may take longer.
  2. You may check your case status online using your receipt number.
  3. Possible outcomes include approval, denial, or in rare cases, a second RFE.
  4. If approved, you'll receive an approval notice.

Is getting RFE a good thing?

A Request for Evidence (RFE) is neither inherently good nor bad, but it is a positive sign that your application is active. Instead of denying your petition, the reviewing officer is giving you a second chance to provide missing or unclear information.

Is USCIS slow right now?

Yes, USCIS remains heavily backlogged, with processing times for many categories increasing due to volume surges, internal staffing issues, and government policy holds. Wait times vary significantly by form:

What is the next step after RFE approved?

After USCIS receives your RFE response, your case status is updated online and returns to the processing queue. An adjudicating officer will review your submitted documents to determine eligibility. The process and next steps depend entirely on that review:

Does RFE mean approval?

A: Not necessarily. An RFE simply means USCIS needs additional evidence or clarification. It's an opportunity to fix issues before a decision is made.

What's the hardest US visa to get?

What U.S. visa types have the most denials?

  • B1/B2 Visa: This non-immigrant visa has the highest rate of refusals with 30% of applicants around the world getting refused (State Department Statistics 2019). ...
  • F1 Visa: The F1 visa is also another visa type with a high rate of refusals. ...
  • K1 Visa:

How long does it take to process I-140 after RFE?

After USCIS receives your I-140 RFE response, processing times typically take 1 to 3 months. The timeline depends heavily on the service center and whether you use premium processing to expedite the case's review.

How fast does USCIS respond to RFE?

USCIS generally takes 60 to 90 days to review and make a decision after receiving a response to a Request for Evidence (RFE). While some simple cases may be approved in 30 days, total processing time for an RFE can add 3-5 months to the overall application timeline depending on complexity and workload.

Why is USCIS taking so long in 2026?

Effective April 27, 2026, USCIS implemented a new, enhanced security vetting process that has resulted in temporary “holds” on adjudications requiring fingerprint-based background checks.

Why did USCIS send an RFE?

We may send you a request for additional evidence if: You did not submit all the required evidence; The evidence you submitted is no longer valid; or. The officer needs more information to determine your eligibility.

Is USCIS moving faster now?

USCIS processing speeds are highly mixed; while some applications like Naturalization (N-400) and certain work permits are seeing faster turnaround times, other forms like Green Card renewals and Fiancé petitions are experiencing significantly longer delays.

What's the hardest citizenship to get?

The hardest citizenship in the world to get is Vatican City, as it has no naturalization process and citizenship is only granted to cardinals, diplomats, or Church workers for the duration of their specific roles.

Why is I-140 approval taking so long?

Form I-140 delays are typically caused by heavy USCIS workloads, staffing constraints, or complex cases. Your specific wait time heavily depends on your employment category, your priority date, and whether you received a Request for Evidence (RFE).

Can USCIS reject without RFE?

If the affidavit is not submitted alongside the application, the USCIS will have the right to deny a case without issuing an RFE or an NOID.

What is the time limit for RFE?

A Request for Evidence (RFE) deadline is strictly between 30 and 87 days from the date of the notice, depending on the type of application. You must find the specific date or exact number of days permitted printed on your official RFE letter to determine your exact deadline.

What is the common RFE for i485?

Common Causes: Reasons for an RFE often include missing documents, unclear or outdated information, expired medical exams, insufficient proof of a relationship (for family-based forms like I-485 or I-130), or financial documentation gaps.