What to do if you received RFE?

WHAT TO DO IF YOU GOT AN RFE

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RFE

An RFE, or Request for Evidence, is a request made by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for additional information or documentation regarding an application for immigration benefits. An RFE is issued when the USCIS needs more information to determine whether an applicant is eligible for the immigration benefit being sought.

An RFE, or Request for Evidence, can be issued in response to a variety of different immigration petitions, including petitions for:

  • Nonimmigrant visas, such as H-1B visas for specialty occupations, L-1 visas for intracompany transfers, and F-1 visas for students.
  • Immigrant visas, such as family-based visas and employment-based visas.
  • Adjustment of status, which is the process of applying for a green card while in the United States.
  • Naturalization, which is the process of applying for U.S. citizenship.
  • Asylum, which is a form of protection for individuals who have been persecuted or fear persecution in their home countries.
  • Other immigration benefits, such as DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and TPS (Temporary Protected Status).

In general, an RFE may be issued if the USCIS needs additional information or documentation to determine whether an applicant is eligible for the immigration benefit being sought.

If you receive an RFE, it is important to carefully review the request and gather any additional information or documentation that is requested. You should respond to the RFE as soon as possible, as the USCIS will not make a decision on your application until it has received all of the required information.

Here are some general steps to follow if you receive an RFE:

  • Read the RFE carefully to understand what information or documentation the USCIS is requesting.
  • Gather any additional information or documentation that is requested. If you are unable to provide the requested information, you should explain why.
  • Respond to the RFE within the time frame specified in the request. It is important to respond to the RFE on time, as failing to do so may result in the denial of your application.
  • Make copies of all documents that you submit in response to the RFE and keep the copies for your records.
  • Submit your response to the address specified in the RFE. If you are responding by mail, it is recommended that you use a method of delivery that provides tracking, such as certified mail.

It is also recommended that you seek the advice of a knowledgeable immigration specialist to help you understand the RFE and ensure that you provide the necessary information to the USCIS.

At USA Immigration Company, we can assist you with explaining what your RFE means, what steps to take to respond and even in drafting a powerful response. You can request our RFE services here. 

6

WORKING IN US

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Working in US temporarily, requires obtaining a work visa. There are several different types of work visas, each of which has its own requirements and restrictions.

Working in US

The most common type of work visa is the H-1B visa for temporary workers in specialty occupations. To be eligible for an H-1B visa, you must have a job offer from a U.S. employer and have at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in your field. The H-1B visa allows you to work in the United States for up to six years and can be renewed in certain circumstances.

Other types of visas for working in US include the H-2B visa for temporary non-agricultural workers, the L-1 visa for intracompany transferees, and the E-3 visa for Australian citizens. Each of these visas has specific requirements and restrictions, and you must demonstrate that you are eligible for the visa based on the nature of your work and your qualifications.

In order to apply for a work visa, you must first have a job offer from a U.S. employer. The employer must file a petition I-129 on your behalf with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), including evidence of the job offer and your qualifications.

Working in US

Once the petition is approved by USCIS, you can complete the visa application process, which includes an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. You will need to provide certain documents as part of the visa application process, such as a passport, birth certificate, and police clearance certificate.

During the interview, the consular officer will review your application and supporting documents and will ask questions to determine your eligibility for a work visa. If the visa is approved, you can enter the United States and begin working for your U.S. employer. It is important to note that the work visa is a temporary visa and does not lead directly to permanent residency or citizenship.

It is important to note that the work visa is a temporary visa and does not lead directly to permanent residency or citizenship. If you want to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis, you will need to apply for a green card, also known as a permanent resident card. Your U.S. employer may be able to sponsor you for a green card, but the process can be complex and time-consuming.

Working in US

Our team of qualified immigration specialist can help make obtaining a work visa quick and painless, not to mention affordable. You can contact us HERE to discuss your work visa needs.

green cards

WAYS TO GET A GREEN CARD

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The U.S. green card, or permanent resident card, is a coveted document that gives you permission to live and work in the United States without having to worry about gaining an additional visa or other paperwork requirements. The process of obtaining a green card can be complicated and lengthy but with some guidance it’s possible to understand your options and make progress on the road to becoming a permanent resident. Here are some ways to get a green card:

green card

1. Employment-Based Green Card: One way to obtain a green card is through employer sponsorship if you have specialized skills that are needed in the U.S., such as medical professionals or computer engineers. Companies that sponsor employees must prove they can’t find qualified candidates domestically and will be responsible for most of the green card paperwork. The employer must also provide proof that they’re paying you minimum wage and meeting other labor conditions.

2. Family-Based Green Card: If you are related to a U.S. citizen, you may be eligible for a family-based green card. This could include spouses, parents or even siblings depending on your relationship to the U.S. citizen in question. Generally speaking, the closer the relationship the easier it is to gain approval for a family-based green card; however, all necessary documentation must be filed correctly and timely as any mistakes tend to delay processing times considerably or can result in outright denial of your application.

3. Diversity Lottery Program: The Diversity Lottery Program is a lottery system for those who wish to obtain a green card but don’t have the necessary qualifications or family members needed for either of the two options above. In order to qualify, you must be from an eligible country and meet certain educational requirements. Winners are then randomly selected by a computerized drawing, with 50,000 people awarded green cards each year.

4. Refugee Status: Refugees may come to the U.S., often due to political upheaval in their home countries, and seek protection through asylum or refugee status. If they are able to prove they face potential harm if they were forced to return to their country of origin, they could qualify for refugee status which includes a possibility of obtaining permanent resident status after one year.

5. Asylum: As an alternative to refugee status, you can also qualify for asylum if you are already in the U.S., have been persecuted or fear persecution due to race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion and are unable to return safely to your home country. If approved, applicants will be granted permanent resident status one year after they have applied for asylum status.

The process of applying for a permanent resident card is not always easy but with the right guidance it’s possible to obtain this valuable document. Whether through employer sponsorship, family-based applications, diversity lotteries or even asylums and refugees statuses there may be opportunity to gain legal residence in the United States.

It’s important to note that the application process can take anywhere from six months to a year or more as each green card request is unique and dependent on individual circumstances. The most important step you can take when applying for a green card is to make sure all paperwork is complete, accurate and filed in a timely manner so that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can process your request with minimal delays.

Additionally, you need to seek advice from a qualified immigration experts such as immigration lawyers or paralegals before beginning the permanent resident application process to ensure correct procedures are followed from start to finish. Our immigration paralegal team can help with your green card application here!

green card

  Good luck! 

US citizenship/naturalization

HOW TO APPLY FOR US CITIZENSHIP: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

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While the process of applying for US Citizenship can seem daunting, one of the most important things you can do is to make sure that you have all the required documentation. In order to avoid any potential delays or hiccups in the process, it’s crucial that you gather everything that’s needed before beginning your application.

U.S. Citizenship

The good news is, the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) has a very comprehensive list of all the documents you’ll need to submit as part of your US Citizenship application. They include everything from proof of identity and residency to financial documents and employment records. While it may seem like a lot, taking the time to gather everything beforehand will save you a lot of headaches down the road.

The first step is to make sure that you are eligible for US citizenship. To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years old, a permanent resident of the United States with a Green Card, must have lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years, or 3 years if you are married to a US citizen, and able to read, write, and speak basic English. In addition, you must be able to demonstrate that you have good moral character and basic knowledge of U.S. history and civics.

U.S. Citizenship

The next step is to fill out Form N-400, which is the Application for Naturalization. This form is available on the USCIS website to file online or by mail.

If you decided to file by mail, after you have completed Form N-400, you will need to submit it along with the filing fee and any supporting documents to your local USCIS office. You can find the address here. One of the most important things to keep in mind is that your documentation must be original or certified copies. USCIS will not accept photocopies, faxes, or scans of original documents. This means that if you don’t have an original birth certificate or passport, you’ll need to get one before beginning your application. It’s also important to make sure that all your documents are up to date, expired passports or out-of-state driver’s licenses won’t be accepted, so be sure to renew them well in advance of starting your citizenship application.

After your application has been accepted, you will be scheduled for an interview with a USCIS officer. At this interview, you will be asked questions about your application and your background. You will also be required to take a civic exam and an English exam. The civic test is an oral exam administered by a US citizenship officer. The purpose of the exam is to test an applicant’s knowledge and understanding of US history and government. There are 100 possible questions on the civics test, 10 of which will be asked, and applicants must answer at least 6 of them correctly in order to pass.

On the day of your scheduled appointment, arrive early and bring all required documentation with you. Once you check in with the receptionist, you will be called back for your interview. The interview will begin with the citizenship officer asking you some basic biographical questions, such as your name, address, and date of birth. After that, it will be time for the civic test. The officer will randomly select 10 questions from the list of 100 possible questions and read them aloud to you. You will have up to 20 seconds to answer each question. If you answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly, you will have passed the civics portion of your citizenship interview.

Another requirement for becoming a naturalized United States citizen is passing an English test. Don’t worry, this isn’t a test of your literary skills or grammar knowledge. The test is meant to ensure that you can communicate in basic English. The US citizenship English test is a simple exam that consists of a written exam. The written exam is composed of two sections: reading and writing. For the reading section, you must read one out of three sentences correctly. For the writing section, you must write one out of three sentences correctly.

If you pass the interview and exams, you will be scheduled for a ceremony where you will take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States at your local courthouse. Congrats—you are now a U.S. citizen!

Applying for US citizenship can seem like a daunting task but following these simple steps will make the process go smoothly. Be sure to check if you meet all the eligibility requirements before getting started on your Form N-400. Once you have completed the form and gathered all the required documents, submit everything to your local USCIS office along with the filing fee. Documentation is one of the most important—and often overlooked—aspects of applying for US Citizenship. Original or certified copies of all required paperwork must be submitted with your application in order for it to be processed. This includes proof of identity, residency, financial stability, and employment history. While it may seem like a lot to gather upfront, doing so will save you time and hassle in the long run. You will be scheduled for an interview where you will take a civic exam and an English exam. If you pass these exams, you will take the Oath of Allegiance at a ceremony and officially become a US citizen!

You can find our citizenship services here.

If you need assistance filing for US citizenship you can find our Naturalization Services here.