What Are USCIS EB-1A RFEs? Everything Applicants Need to Know

If you’re pursuing an EB-1A green card, a Request for Evidence (RFE) from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can feel intimidating and overwhelming. But RFEs are a normal part of the EB-1A process and, with the right strategy, often lead to approval rather than denial.

In this comprehensive guide, our EB-1A consultants will explain what EB-1A RFEs are. You will also get a clear breakdown of why they happen, how to interpret them, as well as how you can respond effectively to improve your chances of success.

What is an EB-1A RFE?

A Request for Evidence (RFE) is a notice issued by USCIS asking you to provide additional documentation or clarification about your EB-1A petition. It doesn’t mean your petition is weak or failing: it simply indicates that the adjudicating officer needs more proof to confirm you meet the EB-1A criteria. RFEs are especially common with EB-1A filings because of USCIS’s high standards for proving extraordinary ability.

USCIS generally gives around 90 days to respond (timing may vary), and your response must directly address every issue raised in the RFE.

Why do EB-1A RFEs happen?

Incomplete or insufficient evidence

Even high-achieving applicants can receive RFEs if their supporting documents don’t fully demonstrate how they meet specific regulatory criteria. USCIS officers now emphasize measurable impact, external validation, and clear linkage between your achievements and the EB-1A criteria.

Weak letters or documentation

Recommendation letters may be generic, lack detail, or come from sources that USCIS doesn’t consider independent or credible. Officers often flag these in RFEs.

Misalignment with EB-1A criteria

Sometimes strong accomplishments are presented without explicitly tying them to the EB-1A criteria. If USCIS cannot clearly map an achievement to a criterion, an RFE is highly likely.

Evidence gaps or contradictions

USCIS vigilantly looks for consistency across all your evidence. Hence, they can send an RFE if they find the following:

• Missing dates
• Untranslated documents
• Contrasting claims across letters
• Unclear evidence organization.

What does an RFE look like?

Here, we have tried to give you a clear overview of what an RFE contains. An RFE will usually list:

• Specific issues USCIS needs clarified
• Reference to the criteria questioned
• Type of additional evidence required
• Deadline to respond

The most common RFE topics include questions around:

• Original contributions of major significance
• Sustained national/international acclaim
• Quality and impact of publications or media coverage
• Leadership roles or critical roles High salary or awards prestige

How to respond to an EB-1A RFE

Responding effectively to an RFE is both an art and a science. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Analyze the RFE carefully

Read each point carefully and highlight exactly what USCIS is asking for: this helps you avoid unnecessary evidence dumps. If you are struggling to pinpoint what USCIS is exactly asking for, our EB-1A consultants are here to guide you.

Match evidence to the request

Prepare a response table or index that directly maps each RFE point to the evidence you are providing.

Gather targeted documentation

Only submit documents that address the requested evidence. Add documents like academic citations, press clippings with circulation data, or third-party endorsements where needed.

Write a clear response letter

Use a structured response letter that answers each RFE item point by point and references supporting documents precisely. Your response letter should fall in line with USCIS formatting expectations.

Organize your submission

In your submission, you need to group evidence logically, label tabs clearly, and include a table of contents so the officer can easily locate relevant items. At GCEB1, we prepare these submission documents dedicatedly for our extraordinary-ability applicants.

In place of a conclusion

An EB-1A RFE isn’t a dead end, contrary to the popular perception. It is often an opportunity to clarify, strengthen, and showcase the real depth of your achievements.

If you are unsure how to interpret or respond to an RFE, consider consulting seasoned EB-1A consultants or immigration attorneys who can help you craft a compelling and evidence-based response strategy. You can directly reach out to our EB-1A experts if you need any personalised suggestions to respond to EB-1A RFE.

Sources & Further Readings

1. Alma Immigration.“EB-1A Visa Explained: Extraordinary Ability Green Card.” Alma.
2. EB1A Experts. “USCIS EB-1A RFEs by Category: A Quantitative Breakdown and What Applicants Should Know.”EB1A Experts.
3. Green Card Pathway.“Navigating RFEs: Strategies to Respond and Strengthen Your EB-1A Case.” Green Card Pathway.