Day 1 CPT - H1B RFE
Guides and Actions

Let's announce some good news. During the Trump year, the H1B RFE denial rate was sky-high, peaking at 24%. It was like every fourth of the application would hit a wall. But now the situation has taken a turn, the denial rates dropping to a mere 2%. That's the lowest it's ever been compared to previous data. 

Moreover, choosing the right Day 1 CPT university could also decrease your chance to a lower rate, so you are looking at a rate of around 0.1%. (I will discuss in later paragraphs)

RFE ( Request for Evidence)

When your immigration application status shows as RFE (Request for Evidence), it means that your application is still being considered, but the immigration officer needs more documentation to make a decision. You will have 87 days to provide the additional evidence you need. This is not a denial of your case. It simply means that the officer needs more information to determine whether your application should be approved or denied.

An RFE is issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (UCSIS) when their eyebrows are raised about your H1B petition either because of your second day 1 CPT master, changed working location, missing document translation, etc. It's like a detective digging deeper into your case. They're not convinced about your petition yet, but they would like to offer you a second chance to prove your point. Think of it as a second round in the ring, where you've got to come back stronger. 

When you get hit with RFE, it's time for you to get serious and put your legal hats on. You've got a window between 30-90 days to gather all your evidence and be ready to submit. Also, you have to remember there's no time for half-measures, espically when your case requires multiple pieces of evidence. So be prepared to provide every piece of your requested evidence at once. Failure to do so will risk your chance of a denial. 

1. Read the RFE content carefully

Don't just skim through the document and try to understand the evidence they are looking for; you do not want to forget about some evidence and try to do a resubmission. Think of it like reading a rulebook before a big game.

Also, I have uploaded an RFE draft to highlight the important areas that you need to pay attention to.

2. Review the evidence submitted section

You'll find a detailed rundown of all the documents you've already handed to support your application. It's essential to go through these steps. Why? Because USCIS's officers are human too, there's a possibility that they have slipped on your submitted documents, resulting in RFE. 

So, it's helpful for you to identify and make notes of any documents you initially submitted that are missing from the list. This is your opportunity to lead a reconsideration from the officer for your H1B RFE case. 

3. Review the evidence-lacking section 

This section is straightforward; you need to upload the documents that the USCIS is looking for, and the USCIS knows that sometimes you can't provide exactly what they're asking for. So, they often allow alternatives. For example, if they're looking for a birth certificate, you can use school records or affidavits to make the alternative for it if you don't have it. 

It's like the USCIS's way of saying. "We need this, but if you can't get it, here's the Plan B." So, prepare as much evidence as possible for your alternatives. 

4. RFE deadline

When you are dealing with RFE from the USCIS, time isn't just money - it's everything. You've got typically 30 -90 days to act. As we mentioned in the beginning, you only got one chance for your RFE situation. 

The bottom line: When you get your RFE, mark the deadline in red on your calendar. Prepare your documents, evidence, whatever they're asking for, and get it in before that date. 

*Note: If the submission deadline is expressed in days, it should be counted from the date on the first page of the RFE (the date the RFE was issued). The deadline is not calculated from the day you receive the RFE!

In U.S. immigration, the issuance of a Request for Evidence (RFE) by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) represents a critical point in the application process. Each RFE is unique, reflecting the individualized case examination to be reviewed by the USCIS officer. Also, the list I provide you will be a general list from our experience that the USCIS will likely be able to submit. 

Choosing the right and accredited day 1 CPT universities will lower your RFE chances and give you powerful support by assisting you throughout the process. From the university side, they will provide a complete RFE package, which will include all the necessary documents and evidence mentioned in the list above. For example, Tirne University will have you fill out an online H1B RFE form to get you on the right track. 

Accredited Day 1 CPT universiteis have more profound experiences when helping students with RFE; trust me, you're not alone. Also, choosing a university that has a reputable name could help with your exposure to RFE. 

CPTDog has partnered with our Day 1 CPT university's school board, so in an unfortunate scenario, you get an RFE notice; we can quickly get your request to the university's DSO that works with us. We will make sure that every CPTDog client is at the top priority before or after your enrollment.