USCIS Office of Public Engagement: Request For Evidence (RFE) Response Time

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services sent this bulletin at 07/14/2011 09:46 AM EDT

Dear Stakeholder – 

  

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is committed to providing the highest quality customer service.  USCIS has made notable improvements to our Request For Evidence (RFE) process that we hope will further enhance the customer experience.  

 

  • RFE Response Time – USCIS has posted an interim memo for public feedback that provides for greater consistency in the issuance of RFEs by amending the standard timeframes USCIS allows for responding to RFEs.

 

The standard timeframes are as follows:

 

  •  
    • A standard timeframe of 30 days for the Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (Form I-539); and
    • A standard timeframe of 84 days for all other form types, regardless of whether the request is for initial or additional evidence, or whether the evidence is available in the United States or is obtained from overseas sources.

 

To review this memorandum and provide comments, please visit the Feedback Opportunities section of our website.

 

 

For complete information on the comment process, visit the Interim Memoranda for Comment section of www.uscis.gov. Please send all comments on the draft memorandum to opefeedback@uscis.dhs.gov.

  

NOTE: If you are unable to access the memorandum through the link provided above, please do the following:

 

1.   Go to www.uscis.gov

2.   Select the “Outreach” tab at the top of the page

3.   Select “feedback opportunities” on the left side of the page

4.   Select “Interim Memoranda for Comment” on the left side of the page

 

  • VIBE (Validation Instrument for Business Enterprises) – USCIS has revised the VIBE RFE to remove language that suggested petitioners update or create a record with Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). The RFE now directs petitioners to the USCIS VIBE website which provides further instructions for petitioners to update their information. While USCIS emphasizes that contacting D & B is not required, should a petitioner choose to do so, petitioners should be aware that they may receive suggestions from D&B representatives to purchase products and services from D&B. USCIS does not require or endorse the purchase of D&B products or services.

 

Kind regards,

 

Office of Public Engagement

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

www.uscis.gov/outreach