USCIS restores authority to deny incomplete immigration requests without RFE, NOID
USA Bureau
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its policy to clarify that benefit requestors must establish eligibility and submit all required initial evidence at the time of filing.
Under the new guidance, officers may deny incomplete or ineligible applications without first issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID).
The update replaces previous guidance that encouraged officers to issue RFEs or NOIDs before denying requests. According to USCIS, the prior policy allowed incomplete filings to create backlogs and enabled applicants to use "placeholder" submissions to obtain interim benefits like employment authorization.
Effective immediately, the policy applies to all requests pending or filed on or after August 5, 2026. USCIS stated that restoring full officer discretion will streamline resource allocation, improve system efficiency, and deter frivolous filings. Form instructions outline all required initial evidence for compliance.
