Why EB-1A RFEs Are Increasing in 2025 (And How to Avoid Them)?

2. The Changing EB-1A Landscape in 2025

The increase in EB1As to 90% in 2025. With an increase in high-profile applicants, including tech entrepreneurs and founders, as well as highly qualified individuals who have made an impact, officers will now conduct deeper evaluations of all applicant profiles. Due to increased volume, securing an EB1A visa will be even more challenging.

What USCIS Expects in 2025

USCIS will now expect your EB-1A application to include logically structured and clearly presented evidence, as well as proof that is easy to verify directly. Evidence that is poorly organized or contains excessive narrative will be quickly flagged. USCIS will challenge weak or poorly supported documentation early in the review.

Shifting Towards an Evidence-Based Evaluation

USCIS officers are beginning to evaluate applications based on their measurable impact, not just on the accomplishments listed in the application. Officers will expect evidence of measurable real-world impact, adoption, or outcome. Officers would rather see direct evidence to support claims; for example, provide data, independent evaluations, and outcome evidence rather than extensive explanations of the results of your work.

3. Why EB1A RFE Increase 2025 Is Becoming More Common?

Inconsistent Documentation

Many candidates have demonstrated incredibly high-achieving backgrounds, but their submissions often lack evidence to support those achievements. Specifically, while many applicants state that they have been leaders, innovators, or developed successful products, they do not provide quantifiable metrics to substantiate these claims, which raises potential red flags.

Also, in many instances, the letters of recommendation requested in support of the application restate what the candidate has stated previously without providing additional official information or recommendations that may substantiate those claims.

Misalignment with EB1A Criteria

One of the many reasons for the increase in RFEs issued to EB-1A applicants is confusion regarding which criteria relate to which specific accomplishments. Some applicants state extensive accomplishments that do not meet any of the EB-1A criteria, while others rely too heavily on "potential" achievements rather than documented evidence of their accomplishments.

Overreliance on Internal Recognition

Although an Employee Recognition Award from a company is a valuable form of acknowledgement, it is not sufficient to establish an extraordinary ability; therefore, the current trend in EB-1A application processing has placed the onus on applicants to demonstrate merit through external recognition. Examples of media or awards that are not selective or that have not met required levels of recognition raise doubts among agency officials about whether this recognition has been achieved through extraordinary ability.

4. What USCIS Officers Look For in 2025?

Evidence of Measurable Impact and Reach

Officers are looking to make a positive, lasting impact in the world. For example:

• Market and user growth.
• Metrics regarding customer base performance.
• Public reach.
• Research or industry acceptance and acknowledgement.

Evidence of Distinction from Others in Your Field

Applicants will be required to demonstrate that their work is distinct and superior to others in the same field by providing evidence of results, visibility, and their leadership positions.

Evidence That an Independent Source Endorses

Third-party endorsements from industry experts, credible journalists, or industry organizations will be given significant weight in the review process in 2025.

Consistency of Evidence Across All Documented Claims

All claims must match the evidence and letters of support. Even minor inconsistencies can lead to tighter scrutiny.

5. The Most Common EB1A RFE Reasons

Evidence Deficiency

Cases at large will undoubtedly raise concerns on all levels

Letters Should Not Be Without Substance

Letters that are supportive of your professional endeavors, without providing specific examples and measurable outcomes, will be significantly rejected in the year 2025

Low-Level Media Mentions

Low-tier recognition awards are now ineffective as evidence

The Title No Longer Indicates Leadership

Officers will look for evidence of your authority to make decisions, your influence, and the importance of your role.

6. Steps To Be Taken To Bring Evidence Together Before Submission

1. Prepare An Evidence Trail (Show)

Obtain evidence (analytics dashboards, reports, databases) and develop evidence that distinguishes measurable accomplishments when they are summarised in this manner.

• Sales Growth Numbers
• User Impact
• Industry Adoption Rates
• Competitive Differentiation

2. Revise and Re-Impress Your Evidence Letters (Evidence Letters)

Select individuals who can provide reliable, positive evidence letters for you to submit as supporting documentation of your credentials. This evidence can be provided by the individuals you have influenced (i.e., your collaborators, your contacts, and your networking partners).

3. Improve Your Overall Visibility In The EB-1A Cases

Quality is much more important than quantity for the evidence you provide in your EB-1A case; however, you may want to consider:

• Press Interviews
• Speaking Opportunities
• Contributions To Reputable Journals And Communities Of Experts

4. Clearly Address How Each Of Your Accomplishments Aligns With The EB-1A Criteria

When tying each achievement back to an EB-1A requirement, avoid including documents and evidence that do not contribute toward your case strength. The steps described above will directly affect your ability to avoid an EB-1A RFE and reduce the likelihood of an EB-1A denial in 2025

7. Responding to an RFE

Be Clear, Don't Repeat

Your goal is not to rehash what has already been provided, but rather to provide additional strength to the initial submission by adding new information in the form of metrics, independent review, and/or a better way to present the documentation.

Address Each Point

By providing a detailed, line-by-line response to each listed point, you clarify the reader's understanding and demonstrate professionalism. Avoid defensive wording.

Exhibit the Impact

Demonstrating increases in contributions over time shows how the contributions to the field have been recognized, scaled, and improved.

Obtain Letters of Higher Credibility

Where appropriate, adding letters of higher credibility from experts, executives, advisors, industry leaders, or investigative reporters will strengthen your narrative from an outside perspective.

8. Trends on RFE Decisions for 2025

Clarity is Best

The more organized and straightforward to review (easy to follow), the higher the marks will be assigned in 2025 evaluations.

Quality Over Quantity

It's much better to provide ten "substantial" pieces of evidence than it is to submit fifty "substandard" pieces.

Outside Experts Have Significantly Greater Value than Applicants

If there are outside experts, respected media, and reputable industry sources who can provide insight into the significance of the applicant's work, the applicant's chances of reducing the risk of receiving an RFE will be much greater.

9.Are You RFE-Ready?

You are RFE-ready if you possess the following items:

• Evidence of clear, measurable metrics
• Significant examples of the impact of the work
• Independent recognition
• Supporting material that can directly align with the EB-1A criteria

If you do not possess these items, you increase EB1A denial risks 2025 at a time when the number of RFEs for EB-1A is on the rise.

10. Mini Case Study

Strong performance by the applicant; very little third-party validation of this performance occurred.

Problem:

Senior Professional achieved outstanding performance; however, there is no external visibility for the achievement(s). Most of the success was internally recognized and awarded to the applicant.

Strategy:

• Including interviews from well-known media outlets.
• Improving letters of recommendation by providing concrete examples of the applicant's performance.
• Extracting measurable performance metrics/standards of the applicant's work from the referenced publications.
• Illustrating how the applicant's work influenced and impacted the industry and the peer group.

Result:

RFE not issued; all criteria were approved and presented as a clean and efficient response to the I-140 petition.

11. Conclusion

The EB1A RFE increase in 2025 is not an indication that weaker applicants will be weeded out; however, it does indicate increased evaluation requirements and greater strictness during the evaluation process.

Currently, a strong EB-1A candidate needs to demonstrate:

• Measurable performance.
• Clear industry influence.
• Evidence of independent third-party validation.
• Organizationally sound and coherent.

When a candidate's accomplishments are fully documented, validated, and externally acknowledged, they can maintain a strong application position in an even more demanding review environment than today's. Consulting firms such as EB1A Experts emphasize this strategic approach because it aligns with what reviewing officers look for and reward most.

12. FAQs

1. Why are EB-1A RFEs increasing in 2025?

Higher applicant volume, clearer officer expectations, and a shift toward measurable impact have made reviews more stringent this year.

2. What are the most common RFE triggers?

Evidence gaps, weak letters, unclear leadership roles, low-quality media, and internal-only recognition are among the most common EB-1A RFEs.

3. Does premium processing cause more RFEs?

No. It does not affect the decision quality only the speed. However, faster timelines mean weaknesses in documentation become visible sooner.

4. How do I respond to an EB-1A RFE?

Address every point directly, provide strong documentation, add metrics, and include higher-credibility independent voices.

5. What evidence prevents RFEs?

Clear metrics, authoritative letters, independent recognition, strong media coverage, leadership validation, and consistent documentation across all materials help reduce EB-1A denial risks in 2025.