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Immigration & Visas

Green Card Applications: One Missing Document = Rejection

New USCIS policy allows immigration officers to deny green card applications immediately if any required document is missing, without requesting additional evidence.

Image: Seasoned Expat

USCIS has adopted a stricter policy: immigration officers can now deny your green card application outright if any required document is missing, without first issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE). Previously, USCIS would ask you to submit missing documents within a set timeframe. Now, incompleteness alone can trigger a denial.

This applies to all green card categories—employment-based, family-based, diversity visa, and others. A missing page, unsigned form, or incomplete medical exam can result in immediate rejection. You would then have to file a new application and start over, paying new fees and waiting months longer.

A missing page, unsigned form, or incomplete medical exam can result in immediate rejection.

When submitting your green card application, triple-check the USCIS checklist. Have an immigration attorney review your package before filing. Include a cover letter itemizing every document you're submitting. Keep copies of everything. If you receive a denial, consult an attorney immediately about your options—some denials can be appealed or reconsidered, but time is critical. This policy makes preparation and precision non-negotiable.

Source: original report ↗

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