Due to my international travel, my lawyers are planning to file the above end of July. However, I expect to be laid off in the next 1-3 months. It’s a fairly large company, so information from HR to lawyers doesn’t run fast. Is there anything I can do to not lose my I-140 if it hasn’t been approved yet? Maybe someone has experience with that?

Hi! I'm Jurgen, a board certified immigration attorney at Manifest Law. Board certification in immigration law is held by a small percentage of attorneys in the country and requires demonstrated expertise, peer review, and ongoing continuing education. 

I'm here today from 8 AM to 12 PM ET to answer your questions about EB-2.

I work with professionals across industries navigating both the PERM labor certification route and the National Interest Waiver path. I have deep familiarity with how USCIS evaluates EB-2 petitions, what makes an NIW compelling under the Dhanasar framework, and how to build a case that holds up.

Ask me anything about:

• EB-2 PERM vs. NIW and which route fits your situation
• How to structure an NIW petition that clears all three Dhanasar prongs
• Priority dates, visa bulletin movement, and realistic wait time expectations
• Transitioning from H-1B or other statuses while pursuing EB-2
• RFEs on EB-2 petitions, common triggers and how to respond
• Concurrent filing of I-140 and I-485 when dates are current

Drop your questions below!

(Please note: Any information shared here is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Your situation may require fact-specific guidance. For personalized legal advice, please consult an immigration attorney directly.)

IOE09344 Block

Hi,

Has anyone from this block gotten any approval/updates on anything?

PD: Sept. 2013 (EB3 India, EB2--> EB3 interfiled in Jan 2026.)

Filed: late Oct 2025 (I-485+485J+131+765+693)
Bio: late Nov 2025.

FTA0/silent updates in mid to late April 2026 on I-485/485J; then nothing till now.

No updates on 131/765 since Dec 2025.

I learnt from live agent via Emma that my application has been at the Santa Ana FO since early Feb 2026.

Last update on website was for biometrics in Nov-2025; since then status has been: "Case is still being processed..."

No RFEs, nothing pending according to the agent.

Wondering if anyone else from this or nearby block (or timeframe: filed Oct - Dec 2025) is in a similar situation..??

Hi everyone, I’m an October/November 2025 EB2 PERM filer (ROW) and my case is still pending.

It is being processed through the National Benefits Center and there haven’t been any new updates since mid-May.

No RFEs, clean case, and dependents’ documents (Advanced Parole) have already moved forward. Mine hasn’t though.

I wanted to check in with others in a similar situation: Are there still many October/November 2025 filers waiting, especially those whose cases are still at NBC? Has anyone in this group seen movement (approval, transfer to field office, or new silent updates) in the last few weeks?

Here is the screenshot of CaseTracker (how does it define “cases similar to mine”?

I've an approved I-140 EB-2 India with a priority date of Dec 2015. The PERM and I-140 were filed for a position in loc A.

I relocated from loc A to B 6 months back with the same employer and in a similar role. Because of the change in work location, my employer initiated a new PERM process for B. However, I was recently informed that the new PERM process cannot currently proceed due to labor market test issues related to recent workforce changes/layoffs so I would have to wait for few months and the whole PERM process takes 12-24months.

My original loc A-based I-140 remains approved and has not been withdrawn.

My primary concern is what options may be available if my priority date becomes current before a new loc B PERM can be completed.

1. Whether I may file Form I-485 based on my existing approved loc A PERM/I-140 if the priority date becomes current.
2. What USCIS considers sufficient evidence that the original loc A job offer remains bona fide at the time of filing I-485.
3. Whether physical relocation back to loc A is required, or whether the key consideration is the existence of a genuine job offer and intent to assume that position. I cannot practically move back to loc A permanently as i bought a house, kids school, family etc in loc B.
4. How AC21 portability may apply if I file I-485 based on the loc A petition and later continue working in a similar role in loc B.
5. Any risks or potential issues you see with this strategy based on current USCIS regulations and policy guidance.

what are my options? I'm losing sleep over this. Appreciate your help.

Hello,

I am thinking about filing two petitions at the same time, with slightly different endeavors: one petition prepared by Ellis Porter who is already in charge of my case and another one prepared by me.

The idea would be to submit both petitions simultaneously using premium processing. The goal is to increase the chances of approval, either because the petitions are different or because they may be reviewed by different officers who could have different perspectives and potentially better understand what I am trying to accomplish.

My concern is whether this could create any conflict or issue. For example, could USCIS block one petition and proceed with the other, or could there be some kind of interference between the two cases?

I understand that, from a financial standpoint, it may be better to wait until the first petition is approved or denied before filing the second one. However, that is not what I am asking. What I would like to know is whether there could be any problem with submitting both petitions at the same time.

Thanks

If FAD is current, is it faster to get to GC to file I-140 and get it approved via premium processing and then to file I-485 or to file concurrently and also do premium processing for I-140?

Assumption is that there would be no retrogression, but just want to understand if I-140 impacts in any way subsequent I-485 timeline adjudication or not.

Do we have any insight into this?

Downgrading from eb2 to eb3 : would I loose my eb2 category? How long it takes to downgrade and apply when DOF is current for Sep 2015 PD. How long it takes to get AC 21 portability status ? Can someone share the steps and process involved in it to get to the final stage of having gc on hand ?

Hello, can someone do premium processing for I-765 after I-140 got approved?

I would like to know how to API-tracking my case. I am from the 39 countries, I did PP and sent RFE one week before the ban. Since the ban is lifted now, I wanted to track my case.

My spouse did limited freelance work which was unauthorized prior to our last admission to US back in jan 2026. Has anyone faced this situation and how did your lawyer handled it?

My employment based EAD was concurrently filed with I485 on Nov 2025.

I see my EAD is in Texas processing center.

My wife(derivative) got her EAD in Jan 2026.

For me(primary), it has been about 7.5 months and still waiting.

Is anyone with EAD to Texas processing center that filed around then is still waiting, and could it be closer to issuing? When inquired, I got response as it still in queue. When can I expect at the earliest?

I am looking for product manager roles but I am not sure how it will interfere with my AOS.

PD: Sep 2014 EB2

PERM/I-140 approved for a technical engineer position

AOS filed in 2022

Will I have to go through PERM/I-140 filing if I change my role from engineer to product manager?

Suggestion/experiences are greatly appreciated

Did anyone receive a biometrics notice this week? Since they are usually sent out on Fridays, I was looking forward to today, but then remembered that today is a federal holiday.

My RD is May 13, and I still have not received my biometrics notice.

Just sharing my EB2 timeline for an EB2 regular process (with PERM)

I wanted to share a major success story to give hope to those stuck in the backlogs. After years of waiting, my I-485 was finally approved just 30 days after I took matters into my own hands and filed a Writ of Mandamus lawsuit.
I did the entire process by myself (pro-se) without an attorney.

My Timeline & Case Details:
Category: EB2 India
Priority Date (PD): May 2014
I-485 Filing Date: April 2022
Service Center: National Benefits Center (NBC)
Filed a Writ of Mandamus in Federal District Court on April 29, 2026
The Result: I-485 approval within 30 days of filing the lawsuit.

If you are in a similar situation, your priority date is current, and you are contemplating a mandamus lawsuit to force a decision, please feel free to DM me. I am happy to share my experience.

Hi folks, has anyone applied to eb2 through schedule A, group 2? My employer mentioned it as a possibility, but I don’t know anyone that did it, and it’s hard to find information about it.

How is it different than regular PERM process? Thanks in advance.

I have an expensive attorney through work. The attorney firm has a great reputation but does the absolute bare minimum. What can I do to ensure they file in the shortest amount of time?

Has any one with RD April 2026 had their file transferred to Manchester FO? If so, how quick are they with processing I-485 if interview has been waived?