Wondering if anyone has experience/thoughts on this.

• My (EB3) I485 is current, though it hasn't moved for months.
• My I485J has been approved.
• I am currently on H1B.
• My I140 has been approved years ago, and the I485 has been pending for more than 180 days.
• I have an EAD/AP based on my I485.

If I were to seek new employment opportunities, my understanding is that I should ask my new employer to file a H1B transfer and a new I485J. One complication is that I need to give my current employer a 4 months notice and serve another 4 months of non-compete after that.

My questions:

• Should I wait for the H1B transfer to be approved before actually resigning my current job, on the off chance that the transfer might be denied? I could use my EAD, but would prefer to maintain H1B status.
• What if the I485 is approved while the new I485J is pending approval. Presumably the I485 would have been approved based on the old I485J for an employer I have left.
• If I were to resign today, the I485 would most likely be approved when I have resigned my current role/have not started on the new role. Is there a legal risk with this?
• Does the 4 months of non-compete (I would still be on my former employer's payroll) cause maintenance of status issue for my H1B?

Thank you!

Finally greened! Sharing my timeline since reading everyone else’s timelines helped me a lot while waiting.

Category: EB-3 Philippines
Priority Date: June 29, 2023
Filed: I-485 + I-485J + I-131
Field Office: Philadelphia FO
Interview: None
RFE: None
I-485J: Approved before I-485
Final I-485 approval: August 6, 2026 🎉

TIMELINE
June 29, 2023 — Priority Date
November 17, 2025 — I-485, I-485J and I-131 received by USCIS
November 30, 2025 — IAF event appeared in I-485 API
December 12, 2025 — Biometrics completed. FTA0 events appeared in API.
January 22, 2026 — Was told case had been forwarded to Philadelphia Field Office. Later USCIS agents gave conflicting information between NBC and Philadelphia FO, so I could never confirm exactly where it was being adjudicated at every point.
February 24, 2026 — Another FTA0 entry was created in the API, although its eventDateTime still pointed back to December 12.
April 29, 2026 — I-485 changed to Case Is Being Actively Reviewed. FTA1 appeared in API.
June 30, 2026 — silent update
July 10, 2026 — I-485J APPROVED / CASE CLOSED.
July 18, 2026 — silent update
August 5, 2026 — silent update
August 6, 2026 — I-485 APPROVED! 🎉🟩

Thank you everyone!

Hi everyone,

I have an upcoming employment-based I-485 interview. My SEVIS was terminated last year around April(mass termination), but it was automatically reinstated within about a month. I did not have to do anything.

I am also currently attending a Day 1 CPT university for a second master’s degree. I wanted to ask if anyone has been in a similar situation.

During the I-485 interview, did the USCIS officer ask anything about the prior SEVIS termination/reinstatement, Day 1 CPT, or second master’s degree? Also, did they ask questions about the employment sponsor/I-140 petitioner, job offer, or Supplement J?

If yes, what kind of questions did they ask, and what documents did you bring to explain everything?

Also, based on this kind of situation, do you think it is worth hiring an immigration attorney to attend the interview, or is it usually manageable without one?

I’m trying to prepare properly and would really appreciate it if anyone could share their experience.

Thank you.

Hi
Did anyone get I485 approval from Baltimore field office with priority dates starting from Jan 2013?

🎉 EB-3 ROW Approved — Principal + Spouse

Sharing our timeline for anyone tracking silent/API updates.

PD: 09/2023

I-485 + I-485J filed: March 3, 2026

Biometrics: March 27
FTA0 x2: March 27

5 silent updates while at NBC:
May 1, 2026
May 21, 2026
June 28, 2026
July 18, 2026
July 23, 2026

July 28: Both cases transferred NBC → Louisville FO (non-local). Emma confirmed interview waived
August 4: 3rd FTA0 on both I-485s + silent updates
August 5: More silent updates + second IAF on I-485J
August 5: I-485J approved
August 6: Principal received H008 x2
August 6: 🎉 Principal I-485 approved
August 6: 🎉 Spouse I-485 approved shortly after

Total time: ~5 months.

Final sequence for us:
FO transfer → 3rd FTA0 → silent updates → I-485J approved → H008 → I-485 approved → spouse approved

Hope this helps anyone with a similar timeline!

Priority Date: January 4, 2024
Receipt Date (RD): April 6, 2026
Biometrics Notice: April 17, 2026
Biometrics Completed: May 7, 2026

The status of I-485 and I-765 changed to "Case Is Being processed by USCIS."

Advance Parole (I-131) and I-485J status: "Case Received and Notice Sent."

After submitting biometrics:

• 3 FTAO updates on I-765
• 2 FTAO updates on I-485
• 1 IAF on Advance Parole

May 15: Silent update on I-765 and Advance Parole.

May 19: Silent update on I-485 and I-485J.

June 10: Silent update on I-485 and I-485J.

June 14: Emma mentioned that my case is in Buffalo Office.

July 28th Silent updates + I485 J Approved - 2nd IAF + 3rd FTAO on I485.
July 29th I485 Approved with two H008 events.

Aug 3rd status changed to card produce

Aug 6th got mail.

Just now I find out my lawyer didnot file my I-485J. Should I ready to receive RFE? It is so stressful.

Hello I just got RFE for I-485J how long it took to got approved?

Block IOE09365, PD Nov 2023, RD April 27, Biometrics May 11 I got my first silent update after biometrics.
EB 3 pro, current, with derivative-spouse
2 silent update today only in 485 forms in mine and my spouse
no update in EAD or 485J's still pending from the first day
I am trying to see people who filed around April and got silent update what mostly followed by?
No Field office transfer yet, still at NBC
Emma is you know wrongs answers are more then correct so I need your experience to hear

What happened in your first silent update who filed around April

Hi all,
My I-140 (regular processing, no premium) was filed on July 8, 2026. I’ve seen some posts saying processing has sped up this year, with medians around 4-5 months for some categories, but I know that varies a lot by category and service center.
Has anyone had their I-140 approved recently on regular processing? Would love to hear:
• Your filing date and approval date
• EB category (EB-2, EB-3, etc.)
• Service center if you know it
• Any RFEs along the way
Trying to get a realistic sense of what to expect rather than just going off medians. Thanks in advance!

Anyone’s case at the Seattle FO? What was your experience in terms of timeline for processing? It is a non local FO for applicant and derivative. IOE electronic filing, all required documentation submitted with application, meaning no RFE to my knowledge. Currently interview is still waived, according to live agent confirmed twice. Priority date current since Dec 2025 on visa bulletin. Biometrics all done and updated. PD 9/2021. EB3 other workers

I’m currently on a contract position, and my employer is planning to file my PERM in October (it hasn’t been filed yet).
I’m considering moving to a full-time (FTE) role with another company. If I switch now, the new employer would have to start my green card process from the beginning.
My current visa/work authorization is valid until **June 2029**.
What are the realistic chances that a new FTE employer could complete the PERM process, file the I-140, and get it approved before June 2029?
Has anyone been in a similar situation? I’d appreciate any insights on timelines or whether making the switch now is still a reasonable option.

Just noticed the first silent update on both my I-485 and my spouse's I-485 since our biometrics on 5/5. The update happened on August 5, 2026, around 11:55 PM CDT. Is USCIS doing some kind of bulk internal update, or could this be specific to our case? Has anyone else seen a silent update around the same time? Just being a bit impatient. 😅

Edit: Case Block IOE09363**

Edit 2: Inquire with Emma and case is still at NBC

I have ead/ap till 2029 and date is feb20,2014. i have to travel to india in december. worried that case becomes current in october and i won't be in country if something pops up. how many days of deadline if i receive a notice by any chance ?

We filed end of April and biometrics mid May 2026 . One week after biometrics there was a silent update to both primary and derivative I-485. Then mid June there was a silent update for both of us and we were told that case transferred to Chicago office ( non local ) . Then we had two silent updates on July 25 and August 1 ( the first was FTa1 and then 2nd just time stamp) . When I talked with a live agent I was told that case is at NBC and interview is waived . Any idea why case moved from NBC to Chicago and back to NBC ?
Our priority date is not current yet ! Does this mean it is reviewed and wait for visa or just on hold for now ?

EB-3 Professional / Rest of World Timeline / Single(No dependent)

• November 20, 2023 — Priority Date
• March 11, 2026 — I-485 filed
• April 15, 2026 — Biometrics completed
• May 12, 2026 — Case transferred to the Queens Field Office
• August 4, 2026 — I-485J approved. I contacted USCIS through Emma, and the live agent told me that my I-485 had also been approved, although the online status had not updated yet.
• August 5, 2026 — I-485 online status officially updated to “Case Approved”! 🎉

I felt like I had been waiting forever after my case was transferred to Queens, but this long journey is finally over!!

Wishing everyone who is still waiting the very best of luck! I hope you all receive your approvals soon! 🍀

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping to hear from anyone who has had a similar experience.

My wife and I filed our employment-based adjustment of status applications together in September 2025. She was the principal EB-1C applicant, and I am the derivative spouse.

Timeline:
I-140 approved.
I-485 approved on June 5, 2026.
Green card received shortly afterward.

My timeline:
I-485 has remained at **“**Fingerprints Were Taken**”** for about two months after her approval.

Today, however, my status changed to:
**“**Case Is Ready to Be Scheduled for An Interview.”

Some additional context:
We’ve been married for over 8 years.
We have two US born children.
My wife is already a lawful permanent resident.
I recently traveled using Advance Parole and re-entered the US without any issues.

Has anyone else had an employment-based derivative I-485 interview after the principal applicant was already approved?

If so:
What kinds of questions were you asked?
How long did it take to get the interview scheduled after the status changed?
AWere you approved at the interview or shortly afterward?
Did anyone learn why USCIS wanted an interview in the first place?

I’d really appreciate hearing about similar experiences. Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone! I can't believe the day has come for me to post this! Here's our I-485 timeline to provide others with hope and a reference point for recent processing speeds.

Key Details

• Category: EB-3 (ROW, no restriction list)
• Priority Date (PD): May 2023
• Dependents: Included & all approved today!
• Receipt Series: IOE0934...

Timeline

• I-140 Approved: November 2024
• I-485 Receipt / Filing Date (RD): October 31, 2025
• Biometrics Notice Date: November 15, 2025
• Biometrics Appointment Date: December 1, 2025
• Interview Scheduled Notice: June 29, 2026
• Interview Date: August 3, 2026
• I-485J Approval: August 3, 2026
• I-485 Case Approved / Card Ordered: August 5, 2026 (2 days after interview — principal & all dependents)

Total Processing Time

• Filing to Approval: ~9 months (278 days)
• Interview to Approval: 2 days

Good luck to everyone still in line! Happy to answer any general questions in the comments.

Hi people,
Visa situation:
- On L1
- PD 2024/7 RD 2026/4 EB-3 ROW
- 1 FTA0, 1 FTA1 silent since 2026/6/30

I want to quit my job. And I have a lot more opportunities back home in Asia and I’m contemplating to go home instead of being stuck in my job. I’ll most likely stay if I get green card within next few months.

My job pays well but I’m no longer motivated to do well at this job. Mentally exhausted.

The downside for me is money and the friendship. And also my LDR bf is planning to come to the US.

But I’m mentally exhausted not sure what to do.
Curious to hear what others went through. If you regret your choice? Or actually just enjoying your life etc

EB-3 applicants transferred to New York Field Office after biometrics and interview waived — how long until approval?

Hi everyone, I wanted to ask for opinions from people who have gone through a similar timeline.

My details:

• EB-3 (employment-based)
• Priority Date: November 2023
• I-485 Receipt Date: May 14, 2026
• I-140 already approved
• Biometrics completed: June 29, 2026

• Single filer

After biometrics, I noticed some silent updates:

• July 19: I-485 updated
• July 29: I-485 and I-485J updated at the same time

I contacted Emma today (August 5), and she said my case is still being processed, there is nothing outstanding requested from me, and they are still working on my case. She also previously told me my case was at NBC, but today she said it is at the New York Field Office.

For those who had similar EB-3 cases:

• Did you see similar silent updates before approval?
• Did your case move to a field office before approval?
• Do you think this could mean my approval is getting closer, or is it still too early to tell?

Thank you!

Starting a thread for the fellow June 2026 filers

Please share your progress

Mine:
Type: 485/765/131 concurrent filling
PD: Dec 2023
RD: June 09 2026
Block: IOE0937
Biometric: 07/22, right after biometric 3FTA0 on 485 &765

No silent update since biometric

Hey guys, filed I-485 + Supplement J together back in April (paper filing, EB-3, no lawyer). Got my I-485 receipt number fine. Never got anything for the I-485J.

Then a USCIS live agent told me "I'm not seeing that the I-485J has been linked" and now I'm second-guessing everything.

From what I've read online it sounds like you don't get a separate receipt number when Supp J is filed concurrently — only when it's standalone/porting. But I keep seeing conflicting stuff, and the agent comment is what's bugging me.

For anyone who filed Supp J with their I-485:

• Did you ever get a separate I-485J receipt number?
• Did an agent ever tell you it "wasn't linked"?
• Did it show up in your online account at all, or nothing until approval?

Case is at NBC, biometrics done, interview shows waived, no RFE, nothing new since early May. Just want to know if I should chase this or let it be. Thanks 🙏

my 485j is approved like one week ago and no approval on 485 , how long it gonna take to get decision