Request for Evidence (RFE)

A Request for Evidence is USCIS's formal written request for additional documentation or clarification before it can decide your application. RFEs are common — they do not mean denial — but they do pause your case until you respond. The notice lists exactly what evidence USCIS needs and the deadline (typically 87 days, up to 12 weeks). Missing the deadline usually results in denial based on the record as filed. Common RFE triggers include missing certified translations of foreign documents, insufficient I-864 financial support, unclear address history, missing medical exam (I-693), and eligibility-category questions.