Top Reasons USCIS Tends to Deny Cases & How to Prevent Rejections

Getting a petition approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is a mountainous achievement, more so when you are pursuing an EB-1-a green card or other pathways to a green card in the United States. Yet many applicants, including those in highly competitive categories like Eb1-a, face denials that could have been avoided. Understanding why USCIS rejects cases is critical. These denials extend beyond documentation errors to narrative gaps, misinterpreted criteria, and failure to convey sustained national or international impact.

This blog examines the top reasons USCIS denies cases and offers practical strategies to prevent rejection.

Top reasons why USCIS may want to reject your cases

Failure to meet legal eligibility standards

One of the most common reasons USCIS issues a denial is that the petition fails to meet the specific legal criteria required for the visa category.

For example, the Eb1-a category requires evidence of extraordinary ability in your field. USCIS lists ten criteria, but does not require all of them. Many applicants assume that meeting any three criteria is enough. In practice, meeting three criteria does not guarantee approval if the supporting evidence is weak or does not clearly show national or international impact. USCIS looks for clarity of sustained acclaim, not just quantity.

How to Prevent Rejection

• Map your achievements against the legal requirements for your category.

• Provide clear explanations demonstrating how your evidence aligns with the criteria.

• If you are pursuing an EB-1a green card, tie achievements into a coherent statement of national/international recognition.
  

Weak or vague documentation

A frequent reason for denial is insufficient or ambiguous evidence. USCIS must be able to understand exactly how your documentation proves your qualifications.

Many petitions rely on generic letters, poorly organized portfolios, or lack context. This is especially problematic in cases involving research, publications, citations, or artistic achievement.

How to prevent rejection

• Provide contextual summaries that explain the importance of your evidence.

• Include citation counts, journal rankings, impact factors, or media mentions wherever relevant.

• Avoid attaching raw files without labels or summaries. Each piece of evidence should answer the question, “What does this prove?”
  

Unsupported reference letters

Reference letters are a powerful evidence for Eb1 a cases. But if letters lack specificity or fail to articulate your impact, they can do more harm than good.

USCIS expects letters to contain third-party, independent validation that highlights how your work influenced a broader audience, industry standards, or the discipline at large. Generic praise with vague terms will undermine credibility.

How to prevent rejection

• Request letters from true subject-matter experts who can speak directly to your accomplishments.

• Provide letter writers with guidelines on USCIS expectations and specific examples to include.

• Avoid letters from collaborators who may be perceived as biased.
  

Poorly organized petitions

Proper organization can be a powerful driving force behind your petition. USCIS officers process thousands of cases. When evidence is scattered, missing, or confusing, adjudicators can miss or overlook the key elements, which can result in further denials. 

Files that lack a logical sequence or section labels make life harder for the reviewer. This is particularly critical for complex categories like Eb1-a, where demonstrating consistency and strength over time is essential.

How to prevent rejection

• Use a table of contents, labeled tabs, and clear annotations.

• If possible, include an executive summary of your case at the beginning.

• Group evidence by criteria so USCIS can easily cross-reference.
  

Ignoring requests for evidence (RFEs)

If USCIS finds your initial evidence insufficient, they may issue a Request for Evidence (RFE). An RFE is not a denial, but ignoring it or responding poorly often leads to denial.

RFEs usually ask for clarifications, additional documents, or precise examples of impact.

How to prevent rejection

• Treat RFEs seriously and respond completely and in a timely manner.

• Provide clear and well-organized supplemental evidence.

• Address every question USCIS raises; you should not try to compensate with a partial response.
  

Misinterpretation of criteria

Another common issue is misunderstanding what a criterion really demands. USCIS expects substantial evidence that an achievement is truly exceptional.

For instance, simply listing conference presentations is insufficient; officers want to know whether these invitations represent broader professional recognition. In fields like science, business, or the arts, that might mean showing influence through citations, adoption of techniques, or leadership roles.

How to prevent rejection

• Work with experienced Eb1-a mentors or legal advisors who understand USCIS adjudication patterns.

• Provide qualitative descriptions explaining why each achievement matters, not just that it exists.
  

Lack of business or financial proof

If your case involves employment, startup success, or financial impact, USCIS expects relevant business/financial evidence. This includes tax records, profit/loss statements, or market impact data.

Visa denials often occur when economic contributions are mentioned but not substantiated with credible numbers or verifiable documents.

How to prevent rejection

• Include verifiable financial documents where applicable.

• Partner statements or affidavits must corroborate facts without exaggeration.
  

Failure to demonstrate sustained impact

USCIS distinguishes between a one-off achievement and a pattern of long-term influence. For Eb1-a, demonstrating ongoing impact is critical.

Many applicants focus on early achievements but fail to show how their influence continued or expanded.

How to prevent rejection

• Highlight recent and ongoing evidence of influence.

• Show how work continues to shape your field through citations, invitations, or leadership roles.

Whether you are pursuing an Eb1-a or seeking a green card in the United States, understanding why USCIS denies cases is the first step toward preventing rejection. Denials are not inevitable, but they often result from missteps that are fully preventable with careful planning and clear narratives.

You can seek strategic support, such as an EB1-a mentorship or legal guidance, if you don’t have a clear idea of how to minimize the odds of USCIS denials. Immigration is indeed an intricate and complex procedure, but strategic preparation and planning are your strongest tools against denials.