What happens after RFE approval is the question that keeps people awake at night.
You responded. USCIS reviewed your case. The RFE is approved. And then, nothing seems to happen.

This silence creates anxiety, especially if you are applying for an O-1 or EB-2 NIW visa from outside the United States. Your career plans, relocation timeline, and reputation feel stuck in limbo.

This article explains what happens after RFE approval, step by step, in plain English. You’ll learn what USCIS does next, why delays happen, what is normal, what is risky, and how to protect your case until your visa is issued.

Read Also: What Is an RFE in Immigration? 5 Clear Facts About Approval

First, what RFE approval really means

An RFE approval means USCIS is satisfied with the additional evidence you submitted.

It does not mean:

• Your visa is issued
• Your passport is ready for stamping
• Your process is complete

Many people misunderstand this. Approval after an RFE is a green light to move forward, not the finish line.

Understanding what happens after rfe approval starts with resetting expectations.

What happens after RFE approval inside USCIS

Once your RFE is approved, USCIS moves your case through internal steps that you do not see online.

Here is what usually happens:

1. Your case is updated internally
   The approving officer records the approval in USCIS systems.
2. Final checks are completed
   Background and security reviews may be finalized at this stage.
3. Your file is prepared for the next phase
   What comes next depends on your visa type and location.

This internal work explains why case updates slow down after approval.

Why is silence after RFE approval normal

After approval, many applicants panic because:

• Their case status does not change
• No emails arrive
• Weeks pass without updates

In most cases, this silence is normal.

USCIS does not send updates for every internal step. For applicants outside the U.S., the next visible movement often happens only after the case leaves USCIS.

Knowing what happens after rfe approval includes knowing when silence is expected.

What happens after RFE approval if you are outside the U.S?

If you are applying from outside the United States, approval usually leads to consular processing.

Here is the real sequence.

Step 1: USCIS issues the approval notice

This confirms your petition was approved after the RFE review.

Step 2: Your case is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC)

USCIS transfers your file to the NVC.
This transfer often takes 2 to 6 weeks, sometimes longer.

This delay is normal but rarely explained online.

Step 3: NVC creates your case

The NVC:

• Assigns a case number
• Prepares your file for the U.S. embassy
• Sends instructions to you or your representative

Only after this step does embassy scheduling begin.

What happens after RFE approval for O-1 visa applicants

O-1 visas receive close review, especially after an RFE.

After approval:

• Your petition is cleared for embassy processing
• Your interview becomes the next major step
• Your documents must match exactly what USCIS approved

Important detail many blogs ignore:
Embassy officers can see the RFE and your response.

Any inconsistency can cause delays or refusal.

What happens after RFE approval for EB-2 NIW applicants

EB-2 NIW cases work differently.

After RFE approval:

• Your I-140 petition is approved
• Your priority date becomes relevant
• Visa bulletin timing affects your next step

Approval does not always mean immediate visa processing.
This is a key part of what happens after RFE approval for EB-2 NIW cases.

Delays that still happen after RFE approval

Approval does not remove all risk.

Common delays include:

• Slow USCIS-to-NVC transfers
• Embassy backlogs
• Administrative processing
• Security reviews
• Missing or mismatched records

Most articles stop at approval and ignore these realities.

Mistakes people make after RFE approval

After approval, people relax too early.

Common mistakes include:

• Changing documents without guidance
• Giving answers at the embassy that differ from the petition
• Assuming legal help is no longer needed
• Ignoring follow-up notices

Understanding what happens after rfe approval means knowing this stage still matters.

What you should do right after RFE approval

Here is what protects your case:

• Keep all documents consistent with the approved petition
• Monitor NVC communication closely
• Prepare embassy documents early
• Do not guess timelines

This stage is quiet, but it is not passive.

Where VeriPass fits in

This is where VeriPass becomes relevant.

After RFE approval, many applicants feel lost because:

• USCIS stops giving clear updates
• NVC timelines feel uncertain
• Embassy steps feel disconnected

VeriPass is an immigration consulting company with a former USCIS official and experienced immigration lawyers who guide you from start to finish.

VeriPass helps you:

• Track your case after approval
• Manage USCIS-to-NVC transfer
• Prepare embassy-ready documents
• Avoid post-approval mistakes
• Stay guided until visa approval

Most problems happen after rfe approval, not before. Watch this webinar and book a consultation with Veripass to give you all the clarity you will need.

How long after RFE approval is visa issuance

There is no fixed timeline.

A realistic range:

• USCIS to NVC transfer: 2–6 weeks
• NVC processing: 1–4 weeks
• Embassy scheduling: varies by country
• Final visa decision: after interview

Any article promising exact dates is misleading.

When to seek help after RFE approval

You should get support if:

• 60+ days pass with no NVC update
• The embassy requests unexpected documents
• Interview scheduling stalls
• You receive conflicting notices

This is where guided handling matters.

Final clarity on what happens after RFE approval

To summarize what happens after rfe approval:

1. USCIS confirms approval
2. Internal processing continues
3. The case moves to the NVC
4. Embassy steps begin
5. Interview and visa decision follow

Approval is not the end.
It is the middle.