Skip to content

RFE objection "Promotional or user-submitted": how it was answered

Key answer

The officer considers the materials promotional or posted on user-generated content platforms without editorial review. Replace them with independent editorial publications and add confirmation of editorial review and the author's independence.

The objection belongs to the "Media about you" 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. Exclude press releases, advertorials, interviews without independent editorial assessment, and materials posted by the petitioner
  2. Keep only publications from independent media with editorial selection and substantial coverage of the petitioner
  3. Show that the piece is not paid for, not initiated by the petitioner, and not user-submitted
  4. Add an explanation for each source: who published it, why the source is independent, what the audience is, and the editorial role
  5. Emphasize that the publication focuses on the petitioner's achievements, not just mentions them

What was attached

  • Screenshot or PDF of the article with date, author, and media outlet name
  • The media outlet's editorial policy page
  • Data on traffic, reach, reputation, or industry significance of the publication
  • Confirmation that the material is not sponsored, advertorial, press release, or guest post
  • Short table: source - independence - article focus - why it is not promotional

How the answer was worded

The publication is editorial content from an independent industry media outlet. The article was prepared by a journalist, shows no signs of advertising or sponsorship, was not posted by the petitioner, and is devoted to the petitioner's professional achievements in the context of an important industry result.

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.