USCIS RFE cover letter prints without barcode page — step-by-step fixes

Joe B.

Expert ★★★★★ 27,853 satisfied customers

Specialities: PDF/Acrobat, USCIS/immigration packets, Windows & macOS printing, IPP/PCL/PS drivers

RFE barcode sheet missing — print all pages, keep 2D barcode visible, correct scale & page order

Technician

Hey! We’ll make sure your USCIS RFE cover letter prints with the barcode page (QR/2D or Code 128 scanline) on top. First, how are you opening the file — in Adobe Acrobat Reader or in a browser like Edge/Chrome? And did you download the full PDF from your USCIS online account, or are you printing the web preview?

Customer

I clicked the RFE in my USCIS account and printed straight from Chrome. The letter prints, but the barcode page is missing. It shows page 1/1 in the print dialog even though I remember seeing a barcode screen.

Technician

That’s common. The browser’s viewer often shows only the cover letter and hides the separate barcode sheet, which can be an attachment/portfolio file or a second page loaded after download. Also, the Print Current Page option or “Selection only” can skip it. We’ll download the complete PDF and print All pages at 100% scale so the barcode scans at the Lockbox.

Customer

Ok, I downloaded it. In Acrobat it says 2 pages. How do I guarantee the barcode sheet prints correctly and stays scannable?

Technician

In Adobe Acrobat Reader:
1) File → Print → Pages: All. Ensure it shows 1–2 pages.
2) Page Sizing: Actual size (100%). Turn off “Fit”/“Shrink” to keep the 2D barcode at the correct dimensions.
3) Auto portrait/landscape ON, Borderless OFF. Margins must be intact so the barcode isn’t clipped.
4) Quality: If your printer drops detail, enable Advanced → Print as Image (300 dpi) — this preserves the barcode pattern.
5) Print single-sided and place the barcode page on top of your RFE response packet.

Customer

What if someone else only has the cover letter PDF? Is the barcode maybe in a separate attachment?

Technician

Yes. Some RFEs ship the barcode page as an embedded file. In Acrobat press Ctrl/Cmd+F4 to open the left pane and click the paperclip (Attachments) or Layers icon. If you see “Barcode Page.pdf”, open and print it at 100%. Avoid browser viewers — they often ignore attachments/optional content groups.

Customer

When I print double-sided, the barcode ends up on the back of the cover letter. Is that OK for scanning?

Technician

USCIS Lockbox equipment prefers the barcode/cover sheet on top, facing up. Use Single-sided for page 1 (barcode), then your cover letter and evidence. If you must duplex, set Flip on long edge and confirm the barcode is not on the back of another page. Do not staple through the barcode; use a paper clip.

Customer

On a coworker’s PC the barcode prints but looks fuzzy/gray. Will scanners read it?

Technician

Fuzzy barcodes often come from scaling or driver smoothing. Fixes:
• Keep Scale = 100%, disable “Fit”/“Shrink”.
• Driver: set Plain paper, Black & White, and High quality (300–600 dpi).
• Turn off “Toner save/Eco” or “Draft”.
• If still soft, use Print as Image (300 dpi) in Acrobat — this preserves crisp edges for Code 128/2D barcodes.

Customer

I’m on macOS and Preview shows only one page. How do I get the barcode page?

Technician

Download the file, then open in Adobe Acrobat Reader for Mac — not Preview. Preview can hide attachments/layers. In Acrobat confirm it shows 2 pages, print All with Scale 100%. If fonts or graphics drop, choose Advanced → Print as Image.

Customer

After following this, I see 2 pages and the barcode prints fine. Any final checks before I mail the RFE response?

Technician

Final checks: place the barcode page on top, then the RFE cover letter, then evidence. Keep A-Number and case number visible; no hole punches through the barcode. Print single-sided. Verify page size (Letter/A4) matches the PDF. If anything looks off, reprint at 100% and avoid copies of copies.

Customer

Perfect — the RFE cover letter now includes the barcode sheet. I’ll mail it today. Thanks!

Technician

Summary: If a USCIS RFE cover letter prints without the barcode page, download the full PDF, open in Adobe Acrobat Reader, print All pages at 100% scale, and keep the barcode sheet on top. For stubborn render issues, use Print as Image (300 dpi). Need us to check your PDF remotely? Open the chat.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted fix when a USCIS RFE cover letter prints without the barcode page: download the complete PDF from your USCIS account, open in Adobe Acrobat Reader, print All pages, Scale 100%, Borderless off. If the barcode is fuzzy or missing, enable Print as Image (300 dpi) and avoid browser viewers.

FAQ

Step-by-step (Windows 11)

1. Download the RFE PDF from your USCIS account; open in Adobe Acrobat Reader (not a browser).
2. File → Print → Pages: All; verify 1–2 pages (or more) are listed.
3. Set Scale = 100%, Auto portrait/landscape ON, Borderless OFF.
4. Quality = High (300–600 dpi). If the code looks soft, use Advanced → Print as Image.
5. Print single-sided; place the barcode sheet on top of your response packet.

Note for macOS

1. Open the downloaded PDF in Acrobat Reader, not Preview.
2. Print All pages, Scale 100%, and avoid borderless.
3. If Preview must be used, export to PDF from Acrobat first or use Print as Image to preserve barcode fidelity.

Sources

• Adobe — Print PDF as Image (improves barcode fidelity)
• USCIS — Filing tips & printing guidance
• Adobe — Can’t print PDFs / missing content

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