If you’ve ever gotten an email from your lawyer that says “RFE issued,” your heart probably dropped. 
Been there. It’s frustrating, scary, and honestly kind of insulting—like, do they think I’m not qualified?!
But let’s pause.
An RFE (Request for Evidence) is more common than you think—and it doesn’t mean your application is doomed. Let me walk you through what actually happens, and how you can deal with it calmly and confidently.
First, What Even Is an RFE?
An RFE is USCIS’s way of saying:
“Hey, we’re not rejecting you (yet), but we need more proof.”
It usually means something about your petition raised a question—maybe about your job duties, your degree, your employer, or whether your role really qualifies as “specialty occupation.”
It’s basically a legal version of: “Can you explain this better?”
Common Reasons for RFE (a.k.a. You’re Not Alone)
- Your job title sounds too generic (like “Analyst” or “Consultant”)
- They’re not convinced your degree matches the job
- Your company is small or new
- They want to see the actual day-to-day responsibilities of your job
- LCA vs. job location issues
None of these are automatic rejections. But they do require a thoughtful, well-documented response.
What Happens Behind the Scenes
Here’s what usually goes down:
- You get notified (via your lawyer or employer)
- You see a wall of legal text and acronyms
- Your lawyer drafts a response—with your help
- You pull together supporting documents:
- Letters from your manager
- Updated job description
- Org charts, work samples, past projects
- Educational credentials
- Your lawyer sends the whole thing back to USCIS
- Then… the waiting game (again)
How to Respond Smartly
- Don’t panic. RFE ≠ rejection. Breathe.
- Talk to your employer ASAP. You’ll need their support.
- Be specific. Generic answers won’t cut it. Detail what you actually do at work.
- Get help from people who know immigration. Don’t try to DIY this.
- Double-check everything. Typos and inconsistencies can ruin your case.
Real Talk: Why This Happens
The truth is, the H1B system is strict—and sometimes random. Even super qualified people get RFEs.
It’s not always about you—sometimes it’s about how something was worded, or just the officer reviewing your file.
Final Thought
If you’re dealing with an RFE right now, I get it—it’s overwhelming. But it’s also a fight you can absolutely win.
Stay organized, ask for help, and take it one step at a time. You’ve already come this far. Don’t give up now.
You got this. 
Totally agree on the key point: specificity matters. The more clearly you can tie your job duties to your degree and the “specialty occupation” criteria, the better.