Multiple Visa Petitions Trigger Dual RFEs From USCIS

After being laid off in March, an Indian professional was nearing the end of their 60 day grace period on an H1B visa. With no job offer at that point, they applied for a change of status to a B2 tourist visa to stay legally in the US.

A few weeks later, things changed. They got a job offer. The company filed a new H1B petition and chose premium processing to speed things up.

It looked like everything would work out. But then, both the B2 and H1B cases were flagged by USCIS. Two Requests for Evidence, or RFEs, arrived—one for each petition.

The B2 RFE asked for answers to four key questions:
– Why the person wanted to extend their stay in the US
– Why this stay would be temporary
– What plans were made to leave the US after the stay
– How this stay affects their ties to India, like work or residency

These are standard questions in B2 visa cases. USCIS wants to make sure the person is not trying to use a visitor visa to stay longer in the country without a valid reason.

They want proof that the stay is short term, clearly defined, and legal. Strong documents and honest explanations are expected.

The H1B RFE has not arrived yet. So it is unclear whether the two cases are connected or if one could impact the other. This unknown adds to the stress.

It is legal to apply for B2 status while waiting for a new H1B. Many do it to avoid falling out of status. But once RFEs are issued on both applications, every answer has to be carefully written.

The B2 response should explain that the intent was always to stay temporarily. That the petition was only filed to bridge the gap while waiting for new employment. Travel plans, ties to India, and backup plans in case the H1B does not work—all these need to be shared clearly.

This is not rare anymore. Layoffs, slower hiring, and long wait times mean more people are caught switching between visas just to stay within the rules.

What makes it harder is how the system responds. Even when someone follows every legal path, they still end up with two pending petitions, two sets of questions, and no clear answers.

It is not about bending rules or delaying exit. It is about trying to stay legal in a system that does not move fast enough to match real life.