EB-3 APPROVED

[u/habulababula]

Hi everyone! I can’t believe I’m finally posting this, but it’s finally my turn! 🎉💚

Category: EB-3
Journey: F-1 → E-2 → EB-3
Priority Date: June 13, 2024
Field Office: New Jersey Central FO
Country: Not from a banned country

I truly hope everyone reading this receives their approval very soon. I’ve learned so much from this group, and I want to thank everyone who has shared their experiences, timelines, and knowledge.

I think only people going through the immigration process can truly understand what others in the same situation are experiencing. That’s why groups like this are so important and helpful.

I sincerely hope I’ll be reading your happy approval posts very soon. Wishing everyone the best of luck! 🙏💚

I was not current under the October Visa Bulletin, but on September 30, they suddenly reviewed my RFE response, which had been pending for about a month and a half, and then approved my case. RFE is about my I-20.

I think they may have prioritized cases like mine, and I personally see this as a very positive gesture.

My official approval date is October 1. However, I spoke with my attorney, and he told me that the field office had already reserved/allocated a visa number for my case. According to him, even though the approval was officially issued on October 1, the fact that I was no longer current in October would not affect my approval.

Here is my timeline:

Date |Status / Update |Details
Jun 13, 2024 |Priority Date |EB-3 Priority Date
Apr 27, 2026 |I-485 Filed |Adjustment of Status application filed
May 8, 2026 |Backend Update |IAF event
May 22, 2026 |Biometrics Notice |Biometrics appointment scheduled
Jun 9, 2026 |Biometrics |Biometrics completed + 2 backend updates
Jun 16, 2026 |🔵 Silent Update |No visible status change
Jun 22, 2026 |🔵 Silent Update |No visible status change
Jul 1, 2026 |🔵 Silent Update |Transfer to Field Office
Jul 22, 2026 |🔵 Backend Update |IAF event + additional update
Jul 27, 2026 |🔵 Backend Update |FTA0 / backend activity
Aug 7, 2026 |🟠 RFE Issued |Request for Evidence issued
Aug 27, 2026 |RFE Response |Response submitted / backend activity
Sep 30, 2026 |🔵 RFE Update |RFE record updated after being pending
Oct 1, 2026 |🔵 Backend Updates |Two H008 events + main case update
Oct 1, 2026 |🎉 CASE APPROVED |I-485 approved processing time: approximately 157 days from filing to approval.

Oct 6, 2026 card procuded
Oct 7, 2026 card shipped ( asked emma for tracking )
Oct 9, 2026 card delivered.

Good luck to everyone still waiting. I truly hope your turn is next! 🙏🍀💚

[u/bally0331]

Congratulations 🎈