E-2 · Timeline

After you file Form I-129 (inside the U.S.)

1. 1

   Receipt

   USCIS issues a receipt notice. With premium processing, the 15-business-day clock starts when USCIS receives the forms and fees.^[1,2]

2. 2

   Review

   An officer may approve, issue an RFE or NOID, or deny. Under policy effective August 5, 2026, USCIS may deny without an RFE when required initial evidence is missing.^[3,4]

3. 3

   Responding

   USCIS sets the RFE deadline, up to 12 weeks; a NOID allows up to 30 days; 3 days are added if the notice is mailed. No extra time can be granted, and a partial response is treated as a request for a decision.^[4,5]

4. 4

   Decision

   ◈High confidence An approval notice is not a visa: to return after international travel, you generally need an unexpired E visa. A denied extension of stay cannot be appealed.^[6,7]