A cancellation notice for a Request for Additional Evidence means USCIS is withdrawing the RFE it previously sent and will decide your application using the documents already in your file. The requested evidence is no longer required. The case is not approved by the cancellation itself; the officer still has to weigh what is on the record against the eligibility rules for the benefit you filed for.1Legal Information Institute. 8 CFR § 103.2 – Section: (b)(8)(i)
Why USCIS Cancels an RFE
There is no single rule that lists every reason an RFE gets withdrawn. In practice, a cancellation usually points to one of a few things. The evidence the officer asked for was already in the file, and a closer look at the record showed the request was unnecessary. An internal processing correction made the request moot. Or the eligibility standard itself shifted: a policy update or legal change altered what USCIS needs to see for your visa or green card category, and the earlier request no longer fits the current criteria.
What the Cancellation Means for Your Case
Once the RFE is canceled, the officer moves ahead on the merits of what you already submitted. You do not owe a response to the withdrawn request, and you should not send the documents that were originally asked for unless USCIS issues a new request.
A cancellation is not a decision. To approve the petition, USCIS still has to find that you were eligible when you filed and that you stayed eligible through adjudication.2Legal Information Institute. 8 CFR § 103.2 – Section: (b)(1) The next thing you hear could be an approval, a denial, an interview notice, or in some cases another request if the officer later identifies a different gap.
What to Do After You Receive One
Read the notice closely and confirm which specific RFE is being withdrawn, especially if your case has generated more than one piece of correspondence. Keep the letter with the rest of your USCIS mail and any digital updates from your online account.
Because the officer may now be close to a decision, it is worth making sure your contact information with USCIS is current and that you are ready for an interview if your category typically involves one. If the notice does not spell out what comes next, an immigration attorney can review the file and tell you what the cancellation signals for your particular petition.
Confirming the Notice Is Real
Any legitimate USCIS notice carries a 13-character receipt number tied to your case.3USCIS. Glossary – Receipt Number Compare it against your original receipt notice. If the numbers do not match, or the letter looks off, verify before acting on it.
You can check the status of your case and the authenticity of a notice through official USCIS channels:4USCIS. Check Case Status Online
- The USCIS online case status tool
- The USCIS Contact Center hotline
- Your secure USCIS online account
Do not send money or personal information in response to a letter you have not verified. If anything about the notice looks wrong, confirm through the tools above or with a qualified attorney before you take any next step.