Received an OPT RFE (Request for Evidence) – What Should I Do?

General
1

Getting an RFE (Request for Evidence) on your OPT/STEM OPT application is stressful. Common issues include:

  • Proof of employment not meeting criteria
  • Incorrect or incomplete documentation
  • USCIS asking for more details on work duties

:warning: Has anyone successfully responded to an OPT/STEM OPT RFE? What documents did you submit?

2

My friend actually got an RFE on their STEM OPT last year—USCIS was asking for more details on how the job related to their degree and whether the employer was legit (it was a small startup). They ended up submitting a detailed letter from their employer explaining their daily job duties and how it tied back to their major, plus an updated I-983 with more specifics. They also added a couple pay stubs, the company’s business license, and screenshots showing actual work like GitHub commits and Slack convos.

It was nerve-wracking but they got approved a few weeks later. As long as the job is real and related to your degree, just be thorough and consistent in your response.

3

Talk to your school advisor as early as possible.