10 I-140 Approvals After RFE on June 17, 2026
A Request for Evidence (RFE) is not a final adjudication outcome, but rather a more demanding stage of review in the I-140 adjudication process. An RFE generally indicates that the adjudicating officer requires a clearer articulation of eligibility, a stronger evidentiary connection between the applicant’s accomplishments and the governing legal standard, or additional clarification regarding the applicant’s proposed work and broader impact. Once a petition enters this stage, the filing is evaluated under heightened scrutiny and must remain strategically positioned, internally consistent, and well-supported to ultimately secure approval.
The following success stories highlight ten I-140 approvals achieved after RFE review, including three EB-1A approvals and seven NIW approvals. These cases reflect different forms of adjudicative complexity, including multiple service center transfers, petitions supported by limited supporting letters, and approvals in both STEM and non-STEM disciplines. Together, they demonstrate that favorable outcomes remain achievable when the evidentiary record remains coherent, responsive, and aligned with the applicable legal standard.
Cases With Inherent Challenges
Procedural Transfers Between Service Centers
Several approvals involved transfers between the Nebraska Service Center and the Texas Service Center before final adjudication. Such procedural movement can add complexity because the petition must remain persuasive and internally consistent while being reviewed across different adjudicative environments and officer perspectives.
Petitions Proceeding With Limited Supporting Letters
Multiple approvals proceeded with either very limited recommendation support or no supporting letters at all. In these circumstances, the petition must rely more heavily on objective evidence, including publication records, citation impact, professional accomplishments, and the overall consistency between the applicant’s proposed work and documented achievements.
Approval in a Non-STEM Field
One EB-1A approval involved a non-STEM field. This can add complexity because the applicant’s accomplishments and influence must be presented in a way that remains persuasive under the EB-1A standard, even when the field does not fit a traditional STEM research profile.
EB-1A Approvals After RFE (3)
#1: EB-1A in Machine Learning
This EB-1A approval involved a Software Engineer in industry, born in China and residing in the United States, who proposes to continue in the same employment. Filed in Machine Learning, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM1258 before approval was ultimately secured.
The applicant held a STEM Ph.D. and demonstrated an extensive scholarly profile consisting of 16 publications and 1,491 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2025. The filing was supported by 4 recommendation letters and proceeded without testimonial letters.
The adjudication involved transfers from the Nebraska Service Center to the Texas Service Center and then back to the Nebraska Service Center with upfront premium processing.
Notable: This approval is notable for securing EB-1A approval after RFE review while undergoing multiple service center transfers.
#2: EB-1A in Reconstructive Surgery
This EB-1A approval involved a Postdoctoral Clinical Research Fellowship, born in the United Arab Emirates and residing in the United States, who proposes to become a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. Filed in Reconstructive Surgery, the petition received an RFE from Officer EX0080 before approval was ultimately achieved.
The applicant held an M.B.B.Ch. degree and presented a substantial scholarly record consisting of 42 publications and 1,795 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2025. The filing was supported by 4 recommendation letters and proceeded without testimonial letters.
The petition underwent transfers from the Texas Service Center to the Nebraska Service Center and then back to the Texas Service Center with upfront premium processing.
Notable: This approval is notable for securing EB-1A approval after RFE review in a non-STEM field while undergoing multiple service center transfers.
#3: EB-1A in Artificial Intelligence
This EB-1A approval involved an Artificial Intelligence Scientist, born in China and residing in the United States, who proposes to work as a Postdoctoral Researcher. Filed in Artificial Intelligence, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM2254 before approval was ultimately secured.
The applicant held a STEM bachelor’s degree and presented a strong scholarly profile consisting of 34 publications and 1,567 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2023. The filing was supported by 4 recommendation letters and proceeded without testimonial letters.
The petition was adjudicated through the Texas Service Center with a premium processing upgrade.
NIW Approvals After RFE (7)
#4: NIW in Civil Engineering
This NIW approval involved an Associate Engineer in industry, born in Jordan and residing in the United States, who proposes to continue in the same employment. Filed in Civil Engineering, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM0725 before approval was ultimately achieved.
The applicant held a STEM Ph.D. and presented a scholarly profile consisting of 6 publications and 22 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2024. The filing was supported by 2 recommendation letters and proceeded without testimonial letters.
The adjudication involved transfers from the Nebraska Service Center to the Texas Service Center and then back to the Nebraska Service Center with a premium processing upgrade.
Notable: This approval is notable for securing NIW approval after RFE review while undergoing multiple service center transfers.
#5: NIW in Accounting
This NIW approval involved an Assistant Professor, born in China and residing in the United States, who proposes to continue in the same employment. Filed in Accounting, the petition received an RFE from Officer EX5110 before approval was ultimately secured.
The applicant held a STEM Ph.D. and presented a scholarly profile consisting of 3 publications and 149 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2024. The filing proceeded without any supporting letters.
The adjudication involved transfers from the Texas Service Center to the Nebraska Service Center and then back to the Texas Service Center with upfront premium processing.
Notable: This approval is notable for securing NIW approval after RFE review without recommendation or testimonial letters while undergoing multiple service center transfers.
#6: NIW in Biophysics and Quantitative Biology
This NIW approval involved a Postdoctoral Scholar, born in China and residing in the United States, who proposes to continue in the same role. Filed in Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM2546 before approval was ultimately achieved.
The applicant held a STEM Ph.D. and presented a scholarly profile consisting of 10 publications and 379 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2023. The filing was supported by 2 recommendation letters and proceeded without testimonial letters.
The adjudication involved a transfer from the Nebraska Service Center to the Texas Service Center without premium processing and was approved in 860 days.
#7: NIW in Medical Physics
This NIW approval involved a Medical Physics Resident, born in China and residing in the United States, who proposes to work as a Medical Physicist. Filed in Medical Physics, the petition received an RFE from the Texas Service Center before approval was ultimately secured.
The applicant held a STEM Ph.D. and presented a scholarly profile consisting of 9 publications and 51 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2024. The filing proceeded without any supporting letters.
The adjudication involved transfers from the Nebraska Service Center to the Texas Service Center and then back to the Nebraska Service Center with a premium processing upgrade.
Notable: This approval is notable for securing NIW approval after RFE review without recommendation or testimonial letters while undergoing multiple service center transfers.
#8: NIW in Medical Physics
This NIW approval involved a Physics Assistant in Radiation Oncology, born in Nepal and residing in the United States, who proposes to continue in the same employment. Filed in Medical Physics, the petition received an RFE from Officer TSC0725 before approval was ultimately achieved.
The applicant held a STEM master’s degree and presented a scholarly profile consisting of 4 publications and 19 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2025. The filing proceeded without any supporting letters.
The petition was adjudicated through the Texas Service Center with a premium processing upgrade.
Notable: This approval is notable for securing NIW approval after RFE review without recommendation or testimonial letters.
#9: NIW in Analytical Chemistry
This NIW approval involved a Postdoctoral Fellow, born in Brazil and residing in the United States, who proposes to continue in the same employment. Filed in Analytical Chemistry, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM2582 before approval was ultimately secured.
The applicant held a STEM Doctor of Science degree and presented a substantial scholarly profile consisting of 34 publications and 347 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2024. The filing proceeded without any supporting letters.
The petition was adjudicated through the Texas Service Center with a premium processing upgrade.
Notable: This approval is notable for securing NIW approval after RFE review without recommendation or testimonial letters.
#10: NIW in Nutrition
This NIW approval involved a Postdoctoral Fellow, born in Greece and residing in the United States, who proposes to continue in the same role. Filed in Nutrition, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM2623 before approval was ultimately achieved.
The applicant held a STEM Ph.D. and presented a strong scholarly profile consisting of 28 publications and 347 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2025. The filing proceeded without any supporting letters.
The petition was adjudicated through the Texas Service Center with a premium processing upgrade.
Notable: This approval is notable for securing NIW approval after RFE review without recommendation or testimonial letters.
The key to our success is the way in which we present supporting evidence and provide the highest quality petition letters. With over 64,000 I-140 EB-1 ( EB-1A Alien of Extraordinary Ability; EB-1B Outstanding Researcher or Professor), EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) and O-1 approvals, our firm has acquired substantial information about USCIS decisions, which gives us significant advantage over firms that only handle a small number of cases.
Based on our close track of USCIS internal memoranda, AAO decisions, and judicial review decisions, we have unique insight into the USCIS adjudication trends. Not only do we apply this insight into our approaches to our clients' cases, but we also carefully review all RFEs (Requests for Evidence), NOIDs (Notices of Intent to Deny), approvals, and denials issued on our cases so that we can further increase our understanding of USCIS strategies and decision-making processes. With the insight, we are able to advise our clients on the best ways to proceed with their petitions.
While other petitioners and attorneys may still use templates to draft recommendation letters or petition letters, our clients' recommendation letters and petition letters are tailored to their individual credentials to best persuade a USCIS officer that our clients meet the requirements of the category they are applying under and therefore their petitions deserve to be approved. To provide the best EB-1 and EB-2 NIW services, our law firm only selects attorneys who have received their professional Juris Doctor degrees from the top law schools in the U.S. and who have garnered rigorous analytical skills through years of experience.