A Request for Evidence (RFE) represents one of the more demanding stages of adjudication in the employment-based immigration process. When USCIS issues an RFE, the petition enters a heightened level of review in which the adjudicating officer seeks additional clarification, stronger evidentiary support, or a more persuasive explanation connecting the applicant’s qualifications to the applicable immigration standard. Successfully navigating this stage requires a record that remains organized, internally consistent, and directly responsive to the concerns raised during adjudication.

The following success stories highlight seven I-140 approvals secured after RFE review, prior denial history, or related petition complexity. These approvals include three EB-1A petitions and four NIW petitions involving applicants working across mechanical engineering, radiology, environmental engineering, statistics, nutritional epidemiology, civil engineering, and neuropsychiatric genetics. Several cases involved service center transfers, related EB-1A adjudication history, and filings supported by limited or no recommendation and testimonial letters.

Cases With Inherent Challenges

Multiple Service Center Transfers

One approval involved a petition that moved from the Nebraska Service Center to the Texas Service Center before returning to the Nebraska Service Center. Cases involving service center transfers may be reviewed across different adjudicative settings, making consistency in the petition record especially important.

Related EB-1A Adjudication History

Two NIW approvals involved applicants who also had EB-1A adjudication history. In one case, the applicant’s EB-1A petition received an RFE and was denied, while in another case, the applicant’s EB-1A petition received an RFE and was approved. Although the NIW petitions were filed first and adjudicated under a different legal standard, the related EB-1A activity added procedural complexity to the broader case record and required the NIW filings to remain independently clear, well-supported, and consistent.

Limited Supporting Letters

Several approvals proceeded with few or no recommendation or testimonial letters. Because these letters often help provide additional context and independent support, cases with limited supporting letters must rely more heavily on objective evidence in the record to establish the applicant’s qualifications and proposed work.

EB-1A Approvals After RFE (3)

#1: EB-1A in Mechanical Engineering

This EB-1A approval involved a Postdoctoral Research Associate from Pakistan residing in the United States who proposes to continue in the same role. Filed in Mechanical Engineering, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM1728 before ultimately securing approval.

The applicant held a Ph.D. and demonstrated a STEM research record consisting of 6 publications and 325 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2024. The case was supported by 4 recommendation letters with no testimonial letters submitted.

The petition went through multiple service center transfers from the Nebraska Service Center to the Texas Service Center, and then back to the Nebraska Service Center with upfront premium processing.

Notable: This approval is notable for securing EB-1A approval after RFE review while also undergoing multiple service center transfers during adjudication.

#2: EB-1A in Radiology

This EB-1A approval involved an Assistant Professor and Attending Physician from India residing in the United States who proposes to continue in the same employment. Filed in Radiology, the petition received an RFE from Officer EX5199 before ultimately reaching approval.

The applicant held an M.B.B.S. and presented a substantial record consisting of 109 publications and 884 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2025. The petition was supported by 6 recommendation letters with no testimonial letters submitted.

The case was adjudicated at the Nebraska Service Center with upfront premium processing.

Notable: This approval is notable for securing EB-1A approval after RFE review in a non-STEM field.

#3: EB-1A in Environmental Engineering

This EB-1A approval involved a Principal Analyst I-S in industry from India residing in the United States who proposes to continue in the same employment. Filed in Environmental Engineering, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM2259 before ultimately securing approval.

The applicant held a master’s degree and demonstrated a STEM research profile consisting of 7 publications and 489 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2022. The case was supported by 4 recommendation letters with no testimonial letters submitted.

The filing was adjudicated through the Nebraska Service Center with a premium processing upgrade.

NIW Approvals After RFE (4)

#4: NIW in Statistics

This NIW approval involved a Researcher in Statistics from China residing in the United States who proposes to work as a Biostatistician II. Filed in Statistics, the petition received an RFE from the Texas Service Center before ultimately securing approval.

The applicant held a Ph.D. and demonstrated a STEM research record consisting of 16 publications and 123 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2024. The petition proceeded without any supporting letters.

The case was adjudicated at the Texas Service Center with a premium processing upgrade.

Notable: This approval is notable for securing NIW approval after RFE review without recommendation or testimonial letters.

#5: NIW in Nutritional Epidemiology

This NIW approval involved a Ph.D. student from China residing in the United States who proposes to work as an Assistant Professor. Filed in Nutritional Epidemiology, the applicant initially filed an NIW petition, followed by an EB1A petition. The NIW has been approved, while the EB1A has received an RFE from Officer XM1861 and was subsequently denied.

The applicant held a master’s degree and demonstrated a STEM research record consisting of 14 publications and 371 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2025. The petition proceeded without any supporting letters.

The case was adjudicated at the Texas Service Center with a premium processing upgrade.

Notable: This approval is notable for securing NIW approval without recommendation or testimonial letters after a related EB-1A petition received an RFE and was denied.

#6: NIW in Civil Engineering

This NIW approval involved an Assistant Professor of Research from India residing in the United States who proposes to continue in the same role. Filed in Civil Engineering, the applicant initially filed an NIW petition, followed by an EB-1A petition. The EB-1A petition was approved first following an RFE from Officer XM1317, and the NIW petition was approved subsequently.

The applicant held a Ph.D. and demonstrated an extensive STEM research record consisting of 90 publications and 1,072 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2024. The petition proceeded without any supporting letters.

The case was adjudicated through the Texas Service Center without premium processing and was approved in 684 days.

Notable: This approval is notable for securing NIW approval without recommendation or testimonial letters, despite a related EB-1A petition having received an RFE.

#7: NIW in Neuropsychiatric Genetics

This NIW approval involved a Ph.D. student from Taiwan residing in the United States who proposes to work as a Postdoctoral Researcher. Filed in Neuropsychiatric Genetics, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM2164 before ultimately securing approval.

The applicant held a master’s degree and demonstrated a STEM research record consisting of 7 publications and 165 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2024. The case was supported by 2 testimonial letters and proceeded without recommendation letters.

The case was adjudicated through the Texas Service Center with a premium processing upgrade.