A Request for Evidence (RFE) represents one of the most demanding stages of adjudication in the employment-based immigration process. Once USCIS issues an RFE, the petition enters a heightened level of review in which the adjudicating officer may request additional documentation, clarification of the applicant’s qualifications, or a more persuasive explanation connecting the submitted evidence to the applicable immigration standard. Successfully navigating this stage requires an evidentiary record that remains organized, internally consistent, and directly responsive to the concerns raised during adjudication.

The following success stories highlight 15 approvals secured after RFE review. These approvals include 3 EB-1A petitions, 10 NIW petitions, and 2 O-1A petitions. Several approvals involved circumstances that added complexity to adjudication, including related EB-1A denials, multiple service center transfers, petitions without supporting letters, and approvals in non-STEM fields.

Cases With Inherent Challenges

Related Adverse Petition History

Several approvals involved applicants with related adverse petition histories, including related filings that received RFEs and were denied or remained pending. Such histories can add complexity because each petition must independently establish eligibility through a carefully structured and well-supported evidentiary record.

Multiple Service Center Transfers

Several petitions underwent multiple 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 logically organized, internally consistent, and persuasive as it passes through different service center operations.

Limited or No Supporting Letters

A few petitions proceeded without recommendation or testimonial letters, while several others were supported by limited supporting letters. In these cases, adjudication depended more heavily on objective evidence, including the applicants’ academic credentials, publication records, citation impact, professional positions, and documentation demonstrating the continued significance of their work.

EB-1A Approvals After RFE (3)

#1: EB-1A in Machine Learning

This EB-1A approval involved a Ph.D. student, born in China and residing in the United States, who proposes to work as a Machine Learning Research Scientist, Structure and Simulation (Artificial Intelligence for Drug Discovery) in industry. Filed in Machine Learning, the applicant initially filed an NIW petition, followed by an EB-1A petition. The NIW received an RFE from Officer XM2009 and remained pending, while the EB-1A received an RFE from the Nebraska Service Center before approval was ultimately granted.

The applicant held a STEM master’s degree and demonstrated a scholarly record consisting of 11 publications and 343 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 was adjudicated through the Nebraska Service Center with upfront premium processing.

Notable: This approval is notable for securing EB-1A approval after RFE review while a related NIW petition also received an RFE and remained pending.

#2: EB-1A in Biomedical Science

This EB-1A approval involved a Research Associate, born in India and residing in the United States, who proposes to remain in the same employment. Filed in Biomedical Science, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM1267 before approval was ultimately secured.

The applicant held a STEM Ph.D. and demonstrated a scholarly record consisting of 14 publications and 187 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 a premium processing upgrade.

Notable: This approval is notable for securing EB-1A approval after RFE review while undergoing multiple service center transfers.

#3: EB-1A in Artificial Intelligence for Biomedical Applications

This EB-1A approval involved a Postdoctoral Fellow, born in India and residing in the United States, who proposes to remain in the same employment. Filed in Artificial Intelligence for Biomedical Applications, the petition received an RFE from the Texas Service Center before approval was ultimately secured.

The applicant held a STEM Ph.D. and demonstrated an extensive scholarly record consisting of 18 publications and 1,300 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2024. The filing was supported by 4 recommendation letters and proceeded without testimonial letters.

The petition was adjudicated through the Texas Service Center with upfront premium processing.

NIW Approvals After RFE (10)

#4: NIW in Neuroscience

This NIW approval involved a Ph.D. student (Graduate Assistant), born in Nigeria and residing in the United States, who proposes to work as a Postdoctoral Research Scientist. Filed in Neuroscience, the applicant initially filed an NIW petition, followed by an EB-1A petition. The NIW has been approved, while the EB-1A has received an RFE from Officer EX0070 and was denied.

The applicant held a STEM master’s degree and demonstrated a scholarly record consisting of 9 publications and 183 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2022. The filing was supported by 2 recommendation letters and proceeded without testimonial 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 the applicant’s related EB-1A petition received an RFE and was denied.

#5: NIW in Electrical Engineering

This NIW approval involved a Ph.D. student (Graduate Research Assistant), born in China and residing in the United States, who proposes to become an Assistant Professor. Filed in Electrical Engineering, the applicant initially filed an NIW petition, followed by an EB-1A petition. The NIW has been approved, while the EB-1A has received an RFE from Officer EX0592 and was denied.

The applicant held a STEM master’s degree and demonstrated a scholarly record consisting of 15 publications and 165 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2024. The filing was supported by 2 recommendation letters and proceeded without testimonial letters.

The petition was adjudicated through the Nebraska Service Center with a premium processing upgrade.

Notable: This approval is notable for securing NIW approval after the applicant’s related EB-1A petition received an RFE and was denied.

#6: NIW in Biomedical Engineering

This NIW approval involved a Ph.D. student, born in Bangladesh and residing in the United States, who proposes to work as a Postdoctoral Fellow. Filed in Biomedical Engineering, the petition received an RFE from the Texas Service Center before approval was ultimately secured.

The applicant held a STEM bachelor’s degree and demonstrated a scholarly record consisting of 9 publications and 244 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2025. The filing was supported by 3 recommendation letters and 2 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.

#7: NIW in Computational Materials Science

This NIW approval involved a Ph.D. student, born in Brazil and residing in the United States, who proposes to work as a Postdoctoral Researcher. Filed in Computational Materials Science, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM2115 before approval was ultimately secured.

The applicant held a STEM master’s degree and demonstrated a scholarly record consisting of 8 publications and 280 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2025. The petition 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 Computer Science

This NIW approval involved an Applied Scientist in industry, born in China and residing in the United States, who proposes to remain in the same employment. Filed in Computer Science, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM2229 before approval was ultimately secured.

The applicant held a STEM Ph.D. and established a substantial scholarly record consisting of 14 publications and 771 citations, including peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2024. The petition 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 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.

#9: NIW in Computer Science

This NIW approval involved a Ph.D. student, born in South Korea and residing in the United States, who proposes to work as a Research Scientist in industry. Filed in Computer Science, the petition received an RFE from the Texas Service Center before approval was ultimately secured.

The applicant held a STEM master’s degree and demonstrated a developing scholarly record consisting of 4 publications and 93 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.

#10: NIW in Tourism and Hospitality Management

This NIW approval involved a Ph.D. student (Graduate Research Assistant), born in Bangladesh and residing in the United States, who proposes to become an Assistant Professor. Filed in Tourism and Hospitality Management, the petition received an RFE from the Texas Service Center before approval was ultimately secured.

The applicant held a non-STEM master’s degree and demonstrated a scholarly record consisting of 12 publications and 138 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2025. The petition 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 in a non-STEM field without recommendation or testimonial letters while undergoing multiple service center transfers.

#11: NIW in Civil Engineering

This NIW approval involved a Ph.D. student, born in Iran and residing in the United States, who proposes to work as a Postdoctoral Researcher. Filed in Civil Engineering, the petition received an RFE from Officer TSC0725 before approval was ultimately secured.

The applicant held a STEM master’s degree and demonstrated a scholarly record consisting of 7 publications and 51 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 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.

#12: NIW in Psychiatry

This NIW approval involved a Psychiatrist, born in Kenya and residing in the United States, who proposes to remain in the same employment. Filed in Psychiatry, the petition received an RFE from Officer EX5089 before approval was ultimately secured.

The applicant held an MBChB degree and established a substantial scholarly record consisting of 12 publications and 476 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2022. The petition 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 a premium processing upgrade.

Notable: This approval is notable for securing NIW approval after RFE review in a non-STEM field without recommendation or testimonial letters while undergoing multiple service center transfers.

#13: NIW in Computer Science

This NIW approval involved a Product Manager I in industry, born in China and residing in the United States, who proposes to remain in the same employment. Filed in Computer Science, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM2366 before approval was ultimately secured.

The applicant held a STEM master’s degree and an M.B.A. and demonstrated a developing scholarly record consisting of 3 publications and 133 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2026. The filing was supported by 2 recommendation letters and 2 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 NIW approval after RFE review while undergoing multiple service center transfers.

O-1A Approvals After RFE (2)

#14: O-1A in Cardiovascular Diseases

This O-1A approval involved a Resident, born in Pakistan and residing in the United States, who proposes to work as a Physician. Filed in Cardiovascular Diseases, the petition received an RFE from the California Service Center before approval was ultimately secured.

The applicant held an MBBS degree and demonstrated an extensive scholarly record consisting of 79 publications and 792 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2024. The filing was supported by 4 recommendation letters and proceeded without testimonial letters.

The petition was adjudicated through the California Service Center with upfront premium processing.

Notable: This approval is notable for securing O-1A approval after RFE review in a non-STEM field.

#15: O-1A in Healthcare Artificial Intelligence

This O-1A approval involved a Senior Principal Artificial Intelligence Scientist in industry, born in India and residing in the United States, who proposes to remain in the same employment. Filed in Healthcare Artificial Intelligence, the petition received an RFE from the California Service Center before approval was ultimately secured.

The applicant held a STEM Ph.D. and demonstrated a scholarly record consisting of 13 publications and 244 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2025. The filing was supported by 2 recommendation letters and proceeded without testimonial letters.

The petition was adjudicated through the California Service Center with upfront premium processing.