Ocassionally, the USCIS will send an applicant a Request for Additional Evidence or RFE. If you receive an RFE do not worry. Often this happens because the applicant forget to submit some of the required supporting documentation or the forms were not fully completed. The RFE will advise you of the additional documents or information your need to submit.

If you receive and RFE, follow these steps:

1. Mark the Response Date on Your Calendar. As soon as you receive the RFE review the letter and determine the date by which you must respond. Typically, the USCIS allows about 80 days to respond to and RFE. IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND IN THE ALLOTTED TIME FRAME YOUR PETITION WILL BE REJECTED.

2. Obtain the Information or Document Requested. Carefully review the RFE and determine what information are documents are requested. Obtain the documents or information and make copies.

3. Respond to the RFE. Once you have obtain the information requested in the RFE, prepare a cover letter the USCIS addressed to the response address indicate on the RFE. Be sure to reference your case number in the cover letter. Include a copy of the RFE along with the requested information or documentation.

The most important thing to remember when dealing with an RFE is to FILE ON TIME. Even if you do not provide the correct information you will be given another opportunity if you file on time.