The Stupid RFE Thread

[LoveMyTico 999]

Ours was that they wanted a legible copy of our marriage certificate, even though we already sent a VERY legible copy of it.

I just mailed away our RFE response, but I sent in our ORIGINALS just to be on the safe side.

The USCIS lady that we spoke to on the phone said that it's ok to send in the originals, we just wont get them back, which is perfectly fine!

you'll need another original for the NVC. They will not pull the one you already sent

[phyxsius 1]

you'll need another original for the NVC. They will not pull the one you already sent

Yep! I already got 2 extra originals, 1 for NVC and 1 for the interview, just in case

[NewOrleansJerry 12]

Category:

IV

My Stupid RFE was:

I did not submit documents (marriage and divorce certificates, I-864) that I had previously submitted to USCIS. I referenced the USCIS submissions within a cover letter.

What I learned:

NVC absolutely requires everything that they ask for, even though you have already submitted the same documents to USCIS.

[NewOrleansJerry 12]

Category:

AOS

My Stupid RFE was:

I misread the instructions for item 13 and entered the my NET instead of GROSS income.

What I learned:

Pay careful attention to what you are transcribing into the I-864 for income levels. It doesn't matter if you are well over the income levels, they require precision.

Note:

When my wife arrived at the embassy the officer did not understand why we had so many similar I-864 applications and handed the extra copies back to her. They were only off by a few hundred dollars, and the officer indicated the first one submitted was acceptable.

[AuSomeGee 5]

<start crazy rant>

RFE - AOS (IR-1 - Spouse)

What I supplied: Petitioners Full 2013 Tax Return - all income earned in Foreign Country

NVC requesting: Non existent W2 Forms from my wife's US employers. (She never worked in the USA in 2013 tax year)

NVC phone response: When I explained the above, the NVC agent stated all that is required is "a letter signed by my USC wife stating she had not worked in the USA for 2013)".

It does not even have to be notarized or an affadavit !! Just a simple signed letter.

Why this is so stupid:

- foreign based income is evident from the full tax return included

- the only supportive document required is our written word in a letter, why can't this be produced at the Consulate Interview if it only needs to be 'on file'???

- the irrelevance of a historical 2013 tax return and the fact my wife will be getting a new job in the US (if we ever get approved)

- the amount of earnings was below foreign threshold and there was zero tax issue, just the requirement to 'produce W2 forms' which could never have existed

And because of this they can make us wait another 60 freaking days!!

Btw - AOS scanned 24th Nov and only verbal Checklist (RFE) advice....if we actual wait for NVC to notify via email....well, it's the 8th December (14 days) and no sign of any 'Official NVC email'

<end of crazy rant>

[shhamada 5]

So... I sent a very clear copy of every single page of my passport and my social security card. After six weeks I receive an RFE for, you guessed it, a copy of my passport and social security card. LMAO! Seriously?!?!?

[Ryan H 3,812]

**Unrelated post removed.**

[mmjohnson 27]

I got an RFE for a marriage certificate translation. I guess the one I sent in wasnt good enough so I just paid to have it done :/

[Parkers27910 4]

So... I sent a very clear copy of every single page of my passport and my social security card. After six weeks I receive an RFE for, you guessed it, a copy of my passport and social security card. LMAO! Seriously?!?!?

This whole process is completely freaking me out! I didn't even realize I had to send a copy of my social security card!

[shhamada 5]

I'm not sure they asked for my social security card on the initial application. I have an issue proving my citizenship because I lost my citizenship certificate, which ive now waited almost a year for it to be replaced. This is also handled by USCIS. Don't worry about it, if they need it they'll ask for it

I'm not sure they asked for my social security card on the initial application. I have an issue proving my citizenship because I lost my citizenship certificate, which ive now waited almost a year for it to be replaced. This is also handled by USCIS. Don't worry about it, if they need it they'll ask for it

[matuiza94 39]

This whole process is completely freaking me out! I didn't even realize I had to send a copy of my social security card!

Parkers,

No kidding!

But your post is so funny, made my evening.

Out of curiosity I was not able to follow your timeline especially after NVC received your case.

Edited March 27, 2015 by matuiza94

[kareelina 42]

OUR RFE:

I was told at the American embassy in my country that all document papers should be translated into English in case we wish to use them in US , so I got English original copies from the source got them sealed and authenticated and my husband submit all the required papers , but they asked for the Arabic original copies for everything, and I don't know why they asked for them , although we have the same copies in English and they are original as well.

Anybody has an idea?

[LoveMyTico 999]

OUR RFE:

I was told at the American embassy in my country that all document papers should be translated into English in case we wish to use them in US , so I got English original copies from the source got them sealed and authenticated and my husband submit all the required papers , but they asked for the Arabic original copies for everything, and I don't know why they asked for them , although we have the same copies in English and they are original as well.

Anybody has an idea?

you always always always submit a copy of the originals in the native language along with the English translations.

[AmberJohnson 0]

We got an RFE from the NVC because apparently my husband did not check the 'are you a US citizen' box on the 1-864EZ form. We're certain he ticked the box but I've just read on the NVC wiki that sometimes checked boxes don't print as checked, which is probably what happened in our case.

Our scan date for the resubmitted form was June 22nd so I'm hoping we don't have to wait too long for a case complete!

Is there any way to speed up their review of the form?

[Joshua@Tinz 52]

My stupid RFE and how surprisingly fast it was approved after:

A little background info. Tinz and I have been married almost three years and she is a philippine citizen

On July 8 or so picked up the mail. Inside was a nice letter asking for another marriage certificate from NSO (which we already submitted). Thing is when they ask you for more evidence they don't exactly explain what was the problem with the first document or whatever ( apparently common sense has no place in governent affairs). So they list there all the important information that they need on the NSO marriage certificate. Which I thought was already included. And it was.

The problem, which I later learned because I was lucky enoigh to have several copies of our marriage cert used for her visa to china many times to accompany me on work stays, was that we had our marriage certificate further certified by adding the "red ribbon" from DFA. DO NOT DO THIS FOR USA. It's needed for china USA will kick it back. They make a big hole over the NSO seal when they add the red ribbon.

Long story short that big hole was the reason for our RFE. Sure it looks and is more official with the red ribbon. But will cost you some time.

Bright side : I submitted a copy without the red ribbon and in only 2 WEEKS! Got the approval from homeland security. I was shocked when I found that in the mail. So now we are at NVC. Don't make our mistake. Be sure no staples no holes no red ribbons nothing on the marriage cert for you husbands of filipinas. It will only slow you down. Good luck everyone. Hope I can save at least one person from an RFE