Difference between INITIAL Evidence and ADDITIONAL Evidence

[MARM 7]

I got an RFE a while back this month saying:

"Request for ADDITIONAL evidence sent" (and then I got the RFE and I sent back the response and now it says case processing resumed)

Some others have reported that they got an RFE status update saying "Request for INITIAL evidence sent"

So what is the difference between ADDITIONAL and INITIAL?

Does additional evidence mean they are waiting on the response for the RFE and then they will make the decision (case processing is almost complete)?

And does initial evidence mean that they need response for the RFE to begin case processing (case processing has not even begun)?

[Hell0W0rld 10]

the only concern USCIS has is both of you actually meet in person and that, you are free to marry, and you havn'g committed some crazy felony.... Additional evidience is probably just wanting more evidence to show that both of you met in person... what did you send during initial filing?

Edited January 29, 2009 by HelloWorld08

[Otto 83]

Initial evidence would be something that is required initially (such as birth certificate, divorce documentation if previously married, etc).

Additional evidence would be something further than what was originally sent - (like more proof of having met, etc...)

[Kirsten UK 2]

Good question. My guess is Initial evidence means you must have left out something essential for approval....additional evidence you need to back up what you have already sent as the adjudicator must be undecided....but, either way, there can be no NOA2 until they are satisfied. God only knows how their minds work

[MARM 7]

the only concern USCIS has is both of you actually meet in person and that, you are free to marry, and you havn'g conmmited some crazy felony.... Additional evidience is probably just wanting more evidence to show that both of you met in person... what did you send during initial filing?

I got the "Request for Additional Evidence" It was to answer two questions left blank (thanks to my lawyer) regarding IMBRA, so I wrote "NONE" and then signed and dated the paper and sent it back to them the same day. And the status has changed to receive response and resumed processing.

I was reading somewhere else on this site where pple get RFEs for Initial instead of Additional evidence and I wanted to know the difference between the types of evidence and if it also is a clue to where the adjudicator is in terms of processing a file (initial= just started and need the response to begin processing, and additional=waiting on the response to make the decision).

[inGODShands 0]

I posted this EXACT SAME QUESTION yesterday. I got the opposite request.... mine says,

"Request for Initial Evidence Sent, Case Placed on Hold"

They were asking for just one form that I had ALREADY included in my original packet.

They didn't mention anything as far as having any mistakes or anything like that.

Anyway, I sent it right away & now I'm just waiting to hear back from them.

I had the same question though. Does anyone REALLY know what that means??????

the only concern USCIS has is both of you actually meet in person and that, you are free to marry, and you havn'g conmmited some crazy felony.... Additional evidience is probably just wanting more evidence to show that both of you met in person... what did you send during initial filing?

I got the "Request for Additional Evidence" It was to answer two questions left blank (thanks to my lawyer) regarding IMBRA, so I wrote "NONE" and then signed and dated the paper and sent it back to them the same day. And the status has changed to receive response and resumed processing.

I was reading somewhere else on this site where pple get RFEs for Initial instead of Additional evidence and I wanted to know the difference between the types of evidence and if it also is a clue to where the adjudicator is in terms of processing a file (initial= just started and need the response to begin processing, and additional=waiting on the response to make the decision).

Edited January 30, 2009 by inGODShands

[MARM 7]

I posted this EXACT SAME QUESTION yesterday. I got the opposite request.... mine says,

"Request for Initial Evidence Sent, Case Placed on Hold"

They were asking for just one form that I had ALREADY included in my original packet.

They didn't mention anything as far as having any mistakes or anything like that.

Anyway, I sent it right away & now I'm just waiting to hear back from them.

I had the same question though. Does anyone REALLY know what that means??????

What form were you asked to send for the RFE?