Why USCIS Rejects Non-English Evidence Without Translation And How to Fix It
Evidence which is not in the English language and is not accompanied by a certified English translation in accordance with 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(3) and therefore this evidence cannot
When you submit an extraordinary ability or national interest–based petition, every piece of evidence carries weight. Your articles, interviews, citations, awards, and media features all help build a narrative of impact.
But here is a common mistake that leads to unnecessary RFEs and denials:
Submitting non-English evidence without a certified English translation.
If you’ve published articles, given interviews, or been featured in foreign media, you must comply with a specific regulation:
8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(3) requires that all foreign-language documents be submitted with a full English translation, certified as complete and accurate by a qualified translator.
When this requirement is not met, USCIS will not evaluate the evidence at all.
Why USCIS Enforces This Strictly
Officers must be able to verify the content without guessing.
USCIS cannot rely on automated translation tools.
Certification prevents misinterpretation or partial translation.
It preserves the integrity of the adjudication process.
Even minor foreign-language elements—like a title, abstract, or caption—must be translated.
How to Correct This Issue Quickly
1. Provide a Certified English Translation
Your translation must include:
a full translation (not summaries)
the translator’s printed name
signature
statement of accuracy
date
A typical certification line is:
“I certify that I am competent to translate this document and that the translation is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge.”
2. Include Both the Original and the Translation Together
USCIS prefers:
Original PDF or scan
English translation directly below or attached
Certification page included
Do not replace the original. Include both
3. Add a Short Cover Note Explaining the Correction
Something simple like:
“The petitioner respectfully submits certified English translations for previously submitted foreign-language articles and media references to comply with 8 C.F.R. § 103.2(b)(3).”
This shows clarity and compliance.
4. Use Merit Evaluation to Strengthen the Submission
Merit evaluation helps you identify:
which articles truly support your case
how they fit into USCIS criteria
whether the content shows impact, authorship, contribution, or recognition
which pieces need translation
how to map each item into your evidence portfolio
This reduces RFEs and prevents mistakes that weaken your profile.
Foreign media and international publications are valuable. They show reach, recognition, and influence beyond your home country. But without a certified translation, USCIS cannot consider any of it.
Treat translations as part of your evidence strategy, not an afterthought.
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Why language tools matter
Language should never be a barrier to a successful immigration case. With the right technology stack, firms can collect accurate information faster, reduce errors in translation, and deliver a smoother, more confident experience to clients in their preferred language.
Docketwise: Built-in translation power
Docketwise offers built-in translation tools for forms and smart questionnaires, helping firms work seamlessly with clients who speak different languages.
A client-facing portal is available in multiple languages, making it easier for clients to understand questions and provide complete, accurate information.
Auto-translation of client responses streamlines intake, while attorneys retain full control with the ability to review, edit, and manually certify translations to meet ethical and compliance standards.
INSZoom: Translation plus automation
INSZoom provides document translation assistance to help firms work with foreign-language evidence and supporting documents.
Integrated OCR for foreign documents lets teams extract text from scanned files and images, reducing manual data entry and making multilingual documents searchable and usable inside the case file.
Case notes can be maintained in a multilingual format, while automated form population pulls client and document data directly into the right immigration forms to save time and reduce errors.
Clio + specialist translation partners
Clio does not translate forms or documents by itself, but it integrates with specialized providers that immigration attorneys already trust.
Services like LinguaLinx, QuickTranslate, and Rev API are widely used by immigration practitioners to handle certified translations, fast turnaround requests, and media or transcript work, while Clio manages the matter, billing, and collaboration layer.
Together, this ecosystem lets firms combine world-class practice management with robust, professional translation infrastructure—ensuring every client, in any language, receives representation they can understand and rely on.