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RFE objection "no formal judge status": how it was answered

Key answer

The officer requires a formal appointment in a judging role, individually or as part of a panel. Add organizer letters, orders, jury pages, or certificates that expressly state a judge or jury member role.

The objection belongs to the "Judging" criterion. Below is what the community did to close it: the order of steps, the documents that were attached and the wording that went into the answer.

Steps that closed it

  1. Obtain an official invitation specifically as a judge, expert, reviewer, or jury member
  2. Ask the organizer to issue a letter on letterhead describing the role, selection criteria, and duties
  3. Document the evaluation activity: minutes, list of judges, program, certificate, screenshot of the event page
  4. Show that the applicant evaluated the work of other professionals, not their own participation
  5. Add confirmation of the significance of the event, competition, journal, or committee
  6. Connect the selection as a judge to professional achievements and expertise

What was attached

  • invitation letter specifying the role of judge or expert
  • competition regulations or review rules
  • list of the jury, expert council, or reviewers
  • certificate or thank-you letter for judging
  • meeting minutes or evaluation results
  • link to the event or journal page
  • brief description of the criteria used for the evaluation

How the answer was worded

The applicant was invited as an independent expert to evaluate submissions from participants in a professional competition. The organizer confirmed that experts were selected based on experience and achievements in the relevant field, and that the applicant evaluated materials submitted by other professionals under established criteria.

A pattern, not a template to copy: the wording only works with your own facts behind it.

Where to check this

Other objections on this criterion

Reference information and community experience, not legal advice. The AAO figures are lessons from appeals, not approval odds; fees and timelines change - verify on uscis.gov.