RFE question

[kytwell 179]

How long do you have to respond to one? I just got email about this, but with no info. I am leaving tomorrow for Greece to go see my wife for the next 28 days. I called USCIS, but they said they have no info on what is in the RFE. Can I call the service center to ask what specific info they want, so that I can mail before I head to the airport?

[Ning 619]

How long do you have to respond to one? I just got email about this, but with no info. I am leaving tomorrow for Greece to go see my wife for the next 28 days. I called USCIS, but they said they have no info on what is in the RFE. Can I call the service center to ask what specific info they want, so that I can mail before I head to the airport?

You cant respond without the ability to send back the copy of the RFE along with the responce. I think you have 60 days to respond.

It wont do any good to call. They will not know nor be able to help you. You will be back in time to deal with the RFE.

[HS2 7]

You have 60 days to reply..at least that is what my RFE said

It all depends on what they are asking for on the RFE, so if you can manage to get everything togather and send it back to them in 30 days than you should be all set. Keep in mind that the more you delay your response to the RFE the more you will delay your NOA2.

Calling USCIS is pointless.They can not see the content of the RFE.You have to wait for the hard copy to arrive in the mail

Good Luck

Edited August 4, 2011 by cipollina

[kytwell 179]

Ok I am in Greece and just had a family member get my mail and email me copy of the RFE. They want copies of cards and correspondence before, during and after courtship/relationship/marriage. When we sent in application, we included copies of 79 cards with envelopes(postmarks) from me to my wife and 77 cards from her to me. They want more!? We also included 60 photos(including pics with my kids, parent's and buddies... and they want more photos!? They're also asking for info about my trip abroad to marry, in the app and on the marriage certificate, it clearly indicates we married in Pennsylvania, USA. And touching on that they want copies of my checking and saving accounts before my trip abroad to marry. I didn't travel anywhere to marry, she came here, we married and she returned to Greece, 2 and a half weeks later. Do I still need to give copies of checking acct(not that it will show anything, she has never wired me money, nor me to her)? It also asks for hotel stays overseas...we never stayed in any hotels, I stayed at her home and she stayed at mine. They want copies of passports...AGAIN?!? They were included in initial app too. They want my kids from previous marriage birth certs too(not a big deal, not sure why though). Plus other evidence, like bank accts, credit cards etc...we included this in initial app too...she is authorized on my CC and I on hers and we added her to one of my checking accounts.

Sorry for long post...but did they lose all my info? Do I send all this same info again or just any new info?

Edited August 18, 2011 by kytwell

[kytwell 179]

Sorry for posting so soon again, but I couldn't edit. It also asks for info on all of my(petitioner, US citizen) relatives in the USA. Is that just immediate family? Reason being I have 24 aunts and uncles, 43 first cousins and many of my parent's aunts and uncles are still alive too. They want my entire Christmas card list?

[Navyk 78]

Sorry for posting so soon again, but I couldn't edit. It also asks for info on all of my(petitioner, US citizen) relatives in the USA. Is that just immediate family? Reason being I have 24 aunts and uncles, 43 first cousins and many of my parent's aunts and uncles are still alive too. They want my entire Christmas card list?

After reading your post, I am thinking the RFE may be a false one but not sure. You have sent a lot of evidence and most don't send that much (sometimes too much is not good). I just sent 4 notarized affidavits (2 from each side) and just a list of telephone call log and got my approval.

Let one of relatives check your mail and open the USCIS letter and scan and email it you or take it up after you return after 28 days. USCIS does not send RFE by email (NVC does).

[kytwell 179]

After reading your post, I am thinking the RFE may be a false one but not sure. You have sent a lot of evidence and most don't send that much (sometimes too much is not good). I just sent 4 notarized affidavits (2 from each side) and just a list of telephone call log and got my approval.

Let one of relatives check your mail and open the USCIS letter and scan and email it you or take it up after you return after 28 days. USCIS does not send RFE by email (NVC does).

Posted Today, 08:30 AM

Ok I am in Greece and just had a family member get my mail and email me copy of the RFE.

Yes that's what I had my sister do. She scanned and emailed it to me. Hopefully it is a false one.

[pushbrk 13,167]

Posted Today, 08:30 AM

Ok I am in Greece and just had a family member get my mail and email me copy of the RFE.

Yes that's what I had my sister do. She scanned and emailed it to me. Hopefully it is a false one.

While it's possible the RFE was a mistake, perhaps intended for somebody else, they will still expect a response by a certain date. That date will appear on the RFE and if you don't respond adequately and on time, the petition will be denied. Do the best you can to respond. For relatives in the USA (This is usually asked of foreign born petitioners.) I would list immediate family and simply indicate the numbers you mentioned regarding extended family. When something they ask for is not applicable like your travel abroad to marry, simply explain that.

This is what I call an "extensive RFE". We're seeing more of them lately but not often involving Greece. You could even have been selected randomly for this RFE.

[kytwell 179]

While it's possible the RFE was a mistake, perhaps intended for somebody else, they will still expect a response by a certain date. That date will appear on the RFE and if you don't respond adequately and on time, the petition will be denied. Do the best you can to respond. For relatives in the USA (This is usually asked of foreign born petitioners.) I would list immediate family and simply indicate the numbers you mentioned regarding extended family. When something they ask for is not applicable like your travel abroad to marry, simply explain that.

This is what I call an "extensive RFE". We're seeing more of them lately but not often involving Greece. You could even have been selected randomly for this RFE.

Thanks, for your reply. I head back to the states in another week or so and will get to work on responding to them.

[kytwell 179]

UPDATE ON MY RFE:

Got back to the USA on Sunday the 21st with lost luggage(and all evidence), an earthquake Tuesday and Hurricane Irene Saturday. Finally got my luggage this past Monday and mailed all of the requested info to them yesterday, still waiting on confirmation it's been delivered today.

[Navyk 78]

UPDATE ON MY RFE:

Got back to the USA on Sunday the 21st with lost luggage(and all evidence), an earthquake Tuesday and Hurricane Irene Saturday. Finally got my luggage this past Monday and mailed all of the requested info to them yesterday, still waiting on confirmation it's been delivered today.

Sorry to hear about your issues - glad that you finally got your luggage and the documents. It will take sometime for USCIS to respond. All the best.

[kytwell 179]

Sorry to hear about your issues - glad that you finally got your luggage and the documents. It will take sometime for USCIS to respond. All the best.

Ouch, I thought that they would get back to within 2 weeks or so. So being that I had the RFE I figured that meant an agent was assigned to my file and would resume working on it once requested info was rec'd.

[kytwell 179]

Anyone know what's a ballpark figure to respond/get approval once sending in all the ####### they asked for?

[pushbrk 13,167]

Anyone know what's a ballpark figure to respond/get approval once sending in all the ####### they asked for?

A couple weeks is pretty standard.

[kytwell 179]

A couple weeks is pretty standard.

Thank you