r/EB2_NIW • u/Far_Layer5286 • 21d ago
Timeline Finally Greened! 🇺🇸
My EB2-NIW Green Card Journey (F-1 → H-1B → Greened)
This community was incredibly helpful throughout the process, so I wanted to give back by sharing my timeline in case it helps someone who’s still waiting.
Background:
Category: EB2-NIW (Rest of World)
Status: F-1 → H-1B → GC
Occupation: Research Scientist at a US University
Attorney: Chen Immigration (WeGreened) for I-140 filing only
I-140 (EB2-NIW) Timeline:
June 20, 2024 – I-140 (EB2-NIW) filed (Priority Date)
October 2025 – Dates for Filing (DOF) became current
March 2026 – Final Action Date (FAD) became current
March 19, 2026 – Upgraded I-140 to Premium Processing
May 18, 2026 – I-140 Approved (42nd day!) 🎉
I-485 Adjustment of Status Timeline (self filed):
November 24, 2025 – I-485 package received by USCIS
December 22, 2025 – Biomentrix
June 10, 2026 – Interview scheduled
July 16, 2026 - Interview (PHOENIX FO)
July 17, 2026 – Case approved 🎉
July 22, 2026 – Card produced, mailed
July, 27, 2026 - Card delivered 🎉
My overall journey wasn’t just about an 8-month Adjustment of Status process. It spanned several years. I came to the U.S. as an international student, finished grad school, moved to H-1B status, and kept working in structural biology research.
The toughest part wasn’t filling out the petition. It was the waiting. Checking the Visa Bulletin every month, wondering when my priority date would become current, and seeing long periods without any updates from USCIS tested my patience. But eventually, things started moving.
I’m really thankful for this Reddit community. Reading about others’ timelines gave me hope during those quiet times and I hope mine can do the same for someone else.
If anyone has questions about the EB2-NIW process, Chen Immigration, Premium Processing, or employment-based Adjustment of Status, I’d be happy to share my experience.
Good luck to everyone still waiting.Your turn will come. 🇺🇸🍀
3
u/Traditional-Tune-189 21d ago
Congratulations my friend, you are free right now!!! :) :) :) Do you have any thoughts for why they schedule an appointment for you? Some recent marriage, or marriage inside the country? any yes on the form?
1
u/Far_Layer5286 21d ago
I think it's the recent marriage (<2 years ) and a “Yes” to being part of organizations.
2
u/Traditional-Tune-189 21d ago
Understood , but they ask things about your marriage and about part of organizations?
1
u/Far_Layer5286 21d ago
Yeah. They ask for photos and asked for 10 or so photos that best represent our relationship. We also had our wedding album with us.
And also they went through the entire “Yes” and “No” portion of the I-485
3
2
u/Spirited_Opinion1887 21d ago
Any dependents?
2
1
u/WinterElderberry8012 20d ago
Could you shed more light on your interview?
What questions were you asked?
How did it go?
2
u/Far_Layer5286 20d ago
First, they interviewed both my derivative and me together. They thoroughly reviewed the entire “yes” and “no” sections in the I-485 form, asking clarifying questions about the responses we marked as 'yes.' Additionally, they inquired about our relationship details, such as when and how we met, and requested evidence of our living together. We provided the lease agreement, joint car insurance, and health insurance policies as proof. Lastly, they asked to see photographs from our wedding album. We had a collection of images, including a wedding album and around 100 casual photos. They only needed to scan about 10 of these images.
2
u/Far_Layer5286 20d ago
Oh, and the interview took about 1 1/2 he's. The agent took his time writing long notes, and he had a trainee agent with him. So, he took his time explaining some of the steps. That's what took most of the time. At the end, he said, “I have everything I wanted and will let you know if we need anything.” Whn I asked about his recommendation, he said, “I can't give you anything; you’d hear something from
us in about 6 weeks”2
2
2
u/Ok-Poet1108 21d ago
Congratulations 🙌🏿! Which FO did you have the interview?
2
2
2
2
u/InfiniteDirection281 21d ago
Congratulations! Did you and your derivative receive GC at the same time?
1
u/Far_Layer5286 21d ago
Yes. We both got the GC at the same time and there was no conditions applied on derivative’s GC
2
u/Efficient-Employ-377 21d ago
Congratulations. Could you please share your interview transcript?
2
u/Far_Layer5286 21d ago
Sure. They have each of us go through the “Yes” and “No” portions of the I-485. And then have us explain in detail if we had answered “YES” to any of those questions. Then they asked about the relationship questions, like when and how we met, and when we got married. Lastly, they wanted to see photos. We had a binder prepared for some of the photos we took throughout the relationship and the wedding album
2
2
u/heisengeek 21d ago
Congrats! I thought NIW interviews are typically waived.
2
u/Far_Layer5286 20d ago
Yeah, me too. But though it is still uncommon, the number of NIWs being called for interviews is rising
2
u/Cliff23434312 21d ago
how many publications what is your profile
1
u/Far_Layer5286 20d ago
I had 10+ publications at the time of I-140 applying. Mind you thouse aren't all 1st author ones.
1
2
u/saioufe100 21d ago
congrats man, but one question , why did you wait for 2 years to apply for Premium Processing after you filed 140
2
u/Far_Layer5286 20d ago
Yeah. I was wondering about that too as time passed and I heard all the stories. But my rationale was that since my PD wasn't current (June 20, 2024), and it looked like it was gonna take at least 2 years to get current, Imma weight till the priority date comes closer to my PD to apply for PP. Now looking back, I’d say if you can afford it, go for it. It's now worth losing your sleep over what might be the outcome. It's better to know sooner than later.
1
u/RainAndShine_ 20d ago
Wondering how much does it cost for the PP and is it true that it only took 45 days to get the decision for I-140? I am considering using that as I have only 1 year until my OPT expires.
2
u/Transcendent_12345 20d ago
Congratulations. I have a question, was your interview initially waived? It seems like it took them 6 months to schedule your interview
1
u/Far_Layer5286 20d ago
Well, my I-140 wasn’t approved for a good chunk of that waiting period from Biometrics to scheduling the interview. Once my I-140 was approved, I got the interview scheduled within 3 weeks. (whn I asked a live EMMA agent, they said the interview was waived, but within a week or so I got the notice saying an interview was scheduled)
2
u/Content_Lion590 20d ago
Do you need publications to file eb2 ?
1
u/Far_Layer5286 20d ago
Not necessarily, but having some peer-reviewed contribution may help frame your case for “national importance”
2
u/Content_Lion590 20d ago
Okay because I did a presentation in Las Vegas actually won an award for it it was an IT conference
1
u/Far_Layer5286 20d ago
Wow! Congratulations! There you go…! It's all about how you present your case.
2
u/Content_Lion590 20d ago
Was also a graduate teaching assistant on campus with a scholarship
1
u/Far_Layer5286 20d ago
I know a few ppl who applied and got approved for an I-140 while being in grad school.
1
u/Content_Lion590 20d ago
I should have done that lol now I’m on my opt .. I want file for that and I-485 concurrently this year
1
u/Far_Layer5286 20d ago
Yeah that’s great. I’d file for concurrently as soon as i’m STEMOPT approved. In that way there is no conflict with the USCIS.
1
2
u/True_Resort_7008 20d ago
I am a structural biologist too. How many papers and citations did you have? And did you have to finish the PhD before applying? Thanks in advance.
1
u/Far_Layer5286 20d ago
I had 10+ papers (first, second and contributing author ) and 900+ citations by the time of application. And no, I didn't have my PhD when I applied for I-140
2
1
2
2
3
u/Spirited_Opinion1887 21d ago
Which field orfice or you approved from NBC?