ADDITIONAL REQUEST FOR EVIDENCE OR RFE
Request for Additional Evidence (RFE) is a process used in the context of immigration applications in the United States to request more information or additional evidence from an applicant.
When an applicant files an immigration application, the agency in charge of processing the application may determine that the information provided is insufficient to make a decision. In this case, the agency may issue an RFE to the applicant, requesting additional information or supporting documents.
The RFE process works as follows:
The agency in charge of processing the application reviews the information provided by the applicant.
If the information is insufficient or does not meet the established requirements, the agency issues an RFE
The RFE is sent to the applicant by post or email. The RFE will indicate what information or documents are needed to complete the application.
The applicant must respond to the RFE within the established term (generally 87 days). The response must include all the information and documents requested.
Once the applicant's response is received, the agency in charge of processing the application reviews the information and makes a decision.
The Additional Request for Evidence should:
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Identify eligibility requirements that have not been established and why the evidence presented is insufficient;
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Identify any missing evidence specifically required by applicable statute, regulation, or form instructions;
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Identify examples of other evidence that may be submitted to establish eligibility; and
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Ask for that test.
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An officer should not request evidence that is outside the scope of the adjudication or that is irrelevant to an identified deficiency.
The RFE must request all evidence that the officer anticipates needing to determine eligibility and must clearly state the deadline for the response.
