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RFE phraseNotice types and deadlines

The RFE response window: 87 days: what it means in an RFE or denial

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You are afforded 87 days from the date of this notice to submit the requested evidence. (Maximum response period under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(8)(iv): 12 weeks, plus mailing time.)
8 CFR 103.2(b)(8) - requests for evidence and notices of intent to deny

What it means

RFE

An RFE (Request for Evidence) is a USCIS request for additional proof. It is not a denial: the officer needed more material and sets a deadline (usually up to ~87 days) to send it in one package. A complete, structured on-time response often ends in approval.

In the RFE the officer lists which criteria they do not yet consider met and why. Respond strictly to those objections: new evidence, explanations and references to already-filed exhibits - all in one package before the deadline.

Typical objections per criterion and how to answer them are covered in the RFE section; a response draft can be assembled with the tool.

The glossary entry

From the knowledge base: Glossary of Terms for U.S. Talent Visas O-1, EB-1, EB-2

This is the layer of terminology that separates people who just read instructions from those who understand the reasoning behind denials. All these terms appear in AAO decisions and in RFE texts, and without knowing them, it is impossible to understand why some cases are denied despite meeting all criteria.

Read the full article

Rules and tips from the chats

  • ruleThere is a limited deadline to respond to an RFE, and it must be counted exactly from the notice. It is important not to confuse the RFE response deadline with premium processing timelines or the case timeline.
  • tipFor diploma evaluation and translation preparation, it is best to set aside time in advance and choose providers who can meet a specific deadline, especially if the filing deadline or RFE is already close.

Questions and answers on the site

Distilled from the public community chats, anonymised; corpus as of June 2026. These are participants' observations, not legal advice and not USCIS statistics.

Related

All RFE phrasesRFE by criterionPrecedents officers citeAfter a denial← RFE, NOID, NOIR: how they differ

Frequently asked questions

What does "The RFE response window: 87 days" mean?
An RFE (Request for Evidence) is a USCIS request for additional proof. It is not a denial: the officer needed more material and sets a deadline (usually up to ~87 days) to send it in one package. A complete, structured on-time response often ends in approval.
Where is this stated officially?
8 CFR 103.2(b)(8) - requests for evidence and notices of intent to deny: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-103/subpart-A/section-103.2

The sentence is quoted from its official source (link under the quote); the explanation is assembled from the site glossary, the precedent notes, the knowledge base and distilled community observations. Not legal advice; the site is not affiliated with USCIS.