USCIS Data Reveals Higher Rates of RFE and Denial in Recent H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Petitions

USCIS released a report indicating that the first quarter of the 2019 Fiscal Year contained an increased number of Requests for Evidence (RFEs) issued for H-1B Visa Petitions. The data shows that USCIS issued RFEs for a record high of approximately 60% of all H-1B Petitions filed in the first quarter of FY 2019, compared to less than 50% in the first quarter of FY 2018 and less than 30% in the first quarter of FY 2017. Of the H-1B Visa Petitions that received an RFE so far in FY 2019, approximately 60% were ultimately approved.