The RFE Master List

[j&js 0]

Another tip: don't try to send in faxed copies of pages needing original signatures!

We thought we'd save time by doing that instead of waiting for the Bio form to come back snail mail and it actually slowed us down a couple weeks. Not an actual RFE, but they sent the whole thing back to be corrected. So no faxes or photocopies on signature pages!

[TooBig 0]

Always make sure you copy both sides of the document .................

[aussiewench 9]

Oh no. I sent only the "short form" of my birth certificate. Our state does have a long form option but it takes 6 weeks to obtain. And I didn't send copies of my passport pages.

Is it possible to make an addendum to an I-129F that's waiting for review. I already received NOA1 with case number. I wonder if I can "pre-empt" the RFE by sending my passport copies?

Thanks,

3AD

You will more then likely get an RFE. Just wait for it before sending anything in.

[aussiewench 9]

Tips

* Look at evidence of having met within the required 2 year period from the view of a third person. In other words 'I know it to be fact but will the adjudicator know from the evidence I have submitted'. Concentrate on providing strong overall evidence to support the fact, as opposed to an abundance of relationship evidence. Distinguish between the two.

* No gaps or overlaps on timeframes for residences and employment questions for past x amount of years on the G-325A

eg

October 2005 to Present

December 2004 to October 2005

March 2004 to December 2004

June 2003 to March 2004

and so on...

[Brian and Amy 0]

* No gaps or overlaps on timeframes for residences and employment questions for past x amount of years on the G-325A

So if there is a period of unemployment for either the Citizen, or the spouse, or an overlap of employment for either the Citizen or a spouse, how do you handle that?

[aussiewench 9]

* No gaps or overlaps on timeframes for residences and employment questions for past x amount of years on the G-325A

So if there is a period of unemployment for either the Citizen, or the spouse, or an overlap of employment for either the Citizen or a spouse, how do you handle that?

As per the G-325A form 'Applicants employment last five years (if NONE, so state)

One would put NONE 'UNEMPLOYED' within that timeframe just as one would if they were employed.

An overlap of employment dates in which respect?? A full time and a casual job??

[shannon65 2]

don't send a postdated check. I heard it was okay if the check were postdated no more than five days ahead, but not true..they did not accept it...they returned the package and asked for a properly dated check...no big deal, just a week's delay.

[Amy and Brian 1]

So if there is a period of unemployment for either the Citizen, or the spouse, or an overlap of employment for either the Citizen or a spouse, how do you handle that?

As per the G-325A form 'Applicants employment last five years (if NONE, so state)

One would put NONE 'UNEMPLOYED' within that timeframe just as one would if they were employed.

An overlap of employment dates in which respect?? A full time and a casual job??

Oh man, we are so going to confuse people with our display names

The overlap is pretty much just that. Specfically, one summer I worked full time as a housekeeper at a hotel while working weekends at an office supply store. Brian's currently working two jobs and has had similar situations in the past. Such is the life of former college students, really

[aussiewench 9]

So if there is a period of unemployment for either the Citizen, or the spouse, or an overlap of employment for either the Citizen or a spouse, how do you handle that?

As per the G-325A form 'Applicants employment last five years (if NONE, so state)

One would put NONE 'UNEMPLOYED' within that timeframe just as one would if they were employed.

An overlap of employment dates in which respect?? A full time and a casual job??

Oh man, we are so going to confuse people with our display names

The overlap is pretty much just that. Specfically, one summer I worked full time as a housekeeper at a hotel while working weekends at an office supply store. Brian's currently working two jobs and has had similar situations in the past. Such is the life of former college students, really

If that was me I would put the main job and then perhaps a reference to an attachment and on the attachment put the second part time job.

Its just that there has been RFE's for overlaps and gaps in timeframes, so IMO best to include an attachment as opposed to overlapping on the form.

Perhaps someone else has a better solution.

[ladybird216 2]

My 'tip' is concerning final divorce papers and may be just for UK couples as I am not sure what the documents look like other countries....but in the UK the 'Decree Absolute' is not very impressive and the document title is in small words at the bottom of the page!!! We were RFE'd because they said we didn't send it, and we did....so when we sent it for the 2nd time, we highlighted the words 'Decree Absolute' on the photocopy and were approved 2 weeks later!

I really don't think they knew what the document was....hope this helps

Jen

Edited March 7, 2006 by ladybird216

[Joey559 1]

We got a RFE because my fiance didn't send in enough proof of our meeting - he had to send in more evidence! It's not enough just to fill out the form and say 'we met on X date' - you have to provide photos too And then he got another RFE because they needed more financial information from him. Combined the two held us up for three months which seemed like an eternity but wasn't really a big deal.

Can I ask, when was it they wanted financial information? It just scared me because I dont' remember a section where they asked anything about finances on the 129F or 325...was this later on when it came to showing support?

Thanks!

[kaydee457 13]

We got a RFE because my fiance didn't send in enough proof of our meeting - he had to send in more evidence! It's not enough just to fill out the form and say 'we met on X date' - you have to provide photos too And then he got another RFE because they needed more financial information from him. Combined the two held us up for three months which seemed like an eternity but wasn't really a big deal.

Can I ask, when was it they wanted financial information? It just scared me because I dont' remember a section where they asked anything about finances on the 129F or 325...was this later on when it came to showing support?

Thanks!

Financial information is required at the consulate stage. It is not required for the I-129F petition submittal.

[Joey559 1]

Ah, thanks Kaydee...I got worried there that a. I missed something or B. they would question my financial status because I had to put unemployed down for my present employment history- I was living in England for six months with my fiance so I wasn't working. Job hunting now and we'll be fine by that stage, but I thought - great, denied from the get-go! Thanks again!

[Joey559 1]

My fiance and I have just started the process, but if it's any help to anyone in Michigan - save yourself some time and worry over copying the birth certificate and go to your County Clerk's Office. For $20 and a 5 minute wait I got THREE certified (as in 'real' certs) copies of my birth certificate. I sent one with the 129F, have one to mail my fiance to take to the interview in case he needs it and I still have one on file. Best $20 I've ever spent. Don't know if that's helpful, but I thought I should at least try to help after how helpful all of you have been for us!

[kaydee457 13]

We got a RFE because my fiance didn't send in enough proof of our meeting - he had to send in more evidence! It's not enough just to fill out the form and say 'we met on X date' - you have to provide photos too And then he got another RFE because they needed more financial information from him. Combined the two held us up for three months which seemed like an eternity but wasn't really a big deal.

This is where this thread is going to confuse many. Getting an RFE for lack of evidence to prove you have met in the past two years almost always is due to a lack of primary evidence. Supplying more, or many photos (secondary evidence) will usually not overcome the burden of proof.

This has been borne out time and again by USCIS decisions whereby they have found mostly in favor of primary evidence and rejected secondary evidence such as photos when submitted as sole proof.

Primary evidence is documentary in nature: airline boarding passes, passport exit/entry stamps, hotel receipts, atm withdrawals in city of question, utility bills, apartment leases, etc.

Secondary evidence The USCIS defines secondary evidence as any documentation that can be used to supplement primary evidence but in itself cannot stand alone to prove ones assertions.

Photos are secondary; so are letters from relatives, neighbors or acquaintances, bus/train tickets and essentially anything that cannot be used to prove your point with a very high degree of certainty.

To sum up; very good Primary evidence with some secondary evidence = NO RFE

very weak Primary evidence with some, or lots of secondary= Possible RFE

No Primary evidence..........................................................= RFE

No Primary, lots of secondary.............................................= RFE