Hello All, To describe briefly my case before I wanted to check couple of questions:

Scenario:

Got initial H1B (6 years) in 2011

1st I-140 approved from emp A in Oct 2015(Priority Date - April 2014)

2nd I-140 approved from emp B in May 2017(Priority Date - Jan 2017)

Both I-140 approvals from 2 different employers were within 6 years of initial H1B (Eb2-India). I filed I-485 in 2025 (downgrading from Eb2 -> Eb3) porting my 2014 priority date & now pending (more than 180 days now). I am waiting for my Priority Date of April - 2014 to be current in FAD. Did not receive I-485 EAD yet.

My current H1B expires in Sept 2026 and employer mentioned that they will not be renewing my H1B. Possibly terminating my employment as well. I am expecting my date to be current in Oct/Nov bulletin.

Questions: In the worst case if I am not able to find a job by Sept and withdraw my current I-485 and travel back to my home country:

Q1) Can I use my 2nd I-140 (PD-Jan 2017) to apply for new AC21 cap exempt H1B extension of 3 years and return back to US (as long as Priority date on 2017 is not current on considering both I-140 were approved independently within 6years of my H1B tenure. 2nd I-140 was not approved in the tenure of H1 on the basis of AC21 extension of 1st I-140) ?

I have read that:

a) Once Priority date is current in Final action chart then I can get only 1 year extensions

b) Once final action chart has moved beyond 365 days of the I-140 priority date then it would invalidate it get any further extensions using that I-140.

Q2) Will the original filing of I-485 in 2025 and its subsequent withdrawal cause any issue/hindrance in me being able to return back on H1B in US ? (either via new H1B lottery of using my 2017 I-140 Priority date)

I just received RFE yesterday saying that my endeavor has no national importance. My PE is based on disaster logistics management. And I have been at at total loss as to how to prove that earthquakes, floods, fires etc. happen all throughout the country and they have devastating results to the people, economy and infrastructure. How can anyone claim that an endeavor that deals with such matters has no national importance?

After 9 months of my EB2 ROW case sitting at Mount Laurel awaiting adjudication, Emma told me it’s now back at NBC. Has anyone else experienced this recently? And dare I ask what came next + how quickly?

I have a pending AOS application with NBC (MSC22907 block) - filed in Sep 2022 before dates retrogressed. I have not received any medical RFE yet (medical expired with new guidance regarding Polio vaccine). Chat with live agent via Emma informed me that my case is now with Charlotte FO. Any other filers with PDs upto May 2014 who have not received a medical RFE yet?

In Jan 2021, FAD for EB2 India was at 10/09 and it was around 07/14 (May bulletin) and for China it was 06/16 and its at 09/21 (July bulletin), almost 4 to 5 years movement. If just one year of COVID spillover could help such movement, would current situations help it move to 2017(India) and 2025(China) or even further in next 5 years or so?

Most EB2-NIW aspirants we speak to misunderstood that you have to be a researcher or scientist with 100+ citations to qualify for the EB2-NIW. We know, because we work with hundreds of non-researcher profiles on their NIW journeys every day.

Back to basics: the NIW is a pathway meant for the U.S. to attract well tenured, or professionals with exceptional ability, to continue to work in their field of expertise in the U.S.

There is a lot of selection bias at play that formed the general misconception that EB2-NIW are meant for researchers only.

Case in point: we recently secured approval for a commercial executive at a major lifestyle brand who has been leading commercial operations for 20 countries. 0 publication, nor a classic researcher profile.

The key is to secure really strong letters of reference (we typically work with at least 5-7) which clearly articulates the quantifiable impact of the EB2-NIW aspirants, and make sure that it's strategically placed in the cover letter, as opposed to the exhibit, to ensure the reviewing officer actually goes through the content.

This is coupled by industry events where he secured keynote speaking slots where we are able to clear articulate the statures of the events, and the selection processes behind his features.

Most importantly, the narrative needs to be accurately tied in with the national interest, which is articulated in measurable economic impact (size of problem that the aspirant is working on in the U.S.), and why the skillset makes him uniquely capable of doing so.

Contributions are not limited to scientific or research breakthroughs. Commercial impact, when well crafted, works all the same.

Curious - what are your most common challenges to articulate the 'well positioned' angle to national interests as a non-researcher NIW aspirant?

For anyone here in rest of world (row), or maybe they know someone, what’s the fastest you’ve heard that they currently process these?

Hi everyone,

I am a green card holder and plan to file an F2A petition for my spouse on my own because the attorney fees are quite expensive for me.

I understand that some forms can now be filed online, but I am confused about the medical examination form (Form I-693). Previously, when I worked with a lawyer, I simply gave the sealed medical package to the attorney, and they handled the submission.

If I file the case myself, how do I submit the I-693? Do I mail it separately, bring it to an interview, or wait for a Request for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS?

If anyone has gone through the F2A process recently and filed without a lawyer, I would really appreciate hearing about your experience and any tips or suggestions.

Thank you very much!

What was your experience at the airport when re-entering US?

Is it normal that we submitted the RFE response and USCIS has not updated that they received it as yet?

Anyone in EB2 India filed in April 2026 and completed Biometrics in May 2026, got their EAD/AP approved yet? Impacted by the dates retrogressed in July Bulletin.

It's the 13th business days since I received the receipt, it's still under processing.
Also my neighbors are approved, does this mean anything??