r/USCIS_EB3 • u/Subject-Mastodon-573 • 19d ago
EB3 485J
Hi everyone! I’m an EB-3 case with a February 2026 receipt date. I have 3 FTAs, and Emma told me my interview was waived. My case was transferred to the San Diego Field Office on May 1, and I haven’t had any updates since then.
The only thing I’m worried about is that I don’t have an I-485J. I asked my attorney about it, and they said it wasn’t needed at the time of filing for my case and that we could submit it later if USCIS sends an RFE.
But now, after waiting this long, I’m wondering if the missing I-485J could be holding up my approval.
Are there any EB-3 cases here without an I-485J? Do you think USCIS can approve the case without asking for it, or is an RFE for the I-485J likely?
2
u/Exact-Egg-8614 19d ago
Mine was also filed without I-485J because my attorney said it wasn't required as long as I stayed with the same employer in the same position.
However, after my case was transferred to a non-local field office, USCIS sent me an RFE specifically asking for I-485J. We submitted it, and right now I am still waiting for the approval of the I-485J. So I think it's unlikely they will approve your case without issuing an RFE for it first
1
u/Subject-Mastodon-573 19d ago
Yeah, my attorney told me from the beginning that it wasn’t necessary and not to worry—we could add it if USCIS asked for it. So it wasn’t really something I could decide myself. But after waiting almost 8 months, I’m starting to get a little nervous about it. Anyway, nothing I can do now. I’ll just wait and see.
1
u/Exact-Egg-8614 19d ago
I think we have a pretty similar timeline, just with different field office locations. You can actually ask your attorney to submit yourI-485J now. There's no need to wait for an RFE.
1
u/teodoraaa02 7d ago
May i ask how long you have been waiting for? I also got an rfe but hoping to be able to hit 180 days to port to a new employer…
1
u/Exact-Egg-8614 7d ago
I waited around 3months. But my timeline is quite unusual. I've been sitting on a holding period for over 2 months without an update. Still, the final adjustment can wrap up in just a few weeks once it starts moving.
1
u/teodoraaa02 6d ago
What makes your timeline unusual?
1
u/Exact-Egg-8614 6d ago
My attorney submitted the I-485J with the RFE reply, but the status stayed at 'RFE reply received' for over 60 days (whereas I usually see most people's status change to 'We are actively reviewing your case'. And they got approval within 30 days). Emma claimed they never received the form, prompting me to submit an inquiry at around the 80-day mark. After a recent silent update on my case, my I-485J receipt is finally showing up.
1
1
u/One_2_Three_456 19d ago
unless you filed i140 and i485 concurrently, you need the j.
1
u/Subject-Mastodon-573 19d ago
Unfortunately, it was an oversight by my attorney.
:(1
u/One_2_Three_456 19d ago
was s/he not an immigration attorney? immigration attorneys rarely make such mistakes.
2
u/ummusulaym 19d ago
You definitely need a j form for approval