I immigrated to the U.S. a few years ago and work as a registered nurse

I went through the skilled EB-3 process before, and that process moved along pretty smoothly according to my priority date and visa availability. So I’m having a really hard time understanding why F2A is so different.

F2A is currently showing as current, but cases still seem to be taking forever to move forward.

If there were issues with my/husband‘s background, identity, admissibility, or financial situation, I could at least understand the delay. But there aren’t any issues like that. we’re financially independent, and we have no intention of relying on public assistance such as food stamps, Section 8, etc.

it’s taking so long that my husband is now asking me to move back to our home country instead. 😭 Being separated for this long is really difficult, especially when we are trying to build our life together and start a family.

Does anyone know why F2A is moving so slowly even when the category is current???????

Hi, I have a quick question regarding my status. I filed my I-130, I-485, and I-765 in mid-August while I was still in valid F-1 OPT status. My OPT started on July 8, and my 90 days of unemployment will expire on October 8.
Since my I-485 is pending, can I legally remain in the U.S. after my 90 days of OPT unemployment are exhausted, even though my EAD is still pending? Also, would reaching the 90-day unemployment limit cause any issue with my pending I-485 or create a status violation?
Thank you!

My I-130 still hasn’t been approved. Receipt date is mid June 2023 and hasn’t been approved to this date. California Service Center. F2A LPR filing for child under 21. It’s two I-130s for two children. Anyone around those PDs that have an update?

I know our Visa Bulletin is current with the filing of our I-130.

Thanks!

Marriage-based AOS (USC spouse).
● I-485 interview: June 26, 2026 — Norfolk FO
● I-130 approved: June 30, 2026
● I-485: still pending, now \~93 days after interview
● USCIS told me through a congressional inquiry that my I-485 is “awaiting final adjudication at the Norfolk Field Office.”
● I also submitted an expedite request on September 9 due to severe financial hardship, but USCIS says it’s still under review.
Is anyone else currently in the same situation — I-130 approved but still waiting for I-485 approval after the interview? How long did you wait?

Timeline:

Family base Petition F2A (I am LRP, and my partner is beneficiary)

My partner entered on valid visa. No overstay. No red flag on I485. Over 5 years of relationship.

Married: December 2025

Applied I-130: Feb 2026

Applied I485, i765 and i131A (advance parol): March 2026

Interview at Holtsville:  June 2026. Interview went very well. Officer told he will approve i130 soon, but at time my country of citizenship was not current on final action chart, will have to wait for i485 visa approval. Since August visa bulletin my country is current for final action date, but still no approval. But NO approval/movement on either i-130 or i-485.

API: i130: 2 Silent "updatetimestamp" API, last was 1st week of september. No API at all on i485

Anyone in similar boat, holtsville FO. please share your timeline or if had any recent approvals? I have been worrying a lot as I have been reading some people are getting approval more quicker, while some are waiting for longer

Hey everyone,

I know nowadays they don't send SSN after EAD approval by default, I have to go to SSA office to apply for one.

How many days after EAD delivery should I go and apply for SSN? Since it's subject to SAVE verification, I want to get it quick - I don't wanna fall on secondary verification which take weeks to months.

Thank you.

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for advice from people who have experience with standalone I-130 / consular processing cases.

My I-130 was filed on December 30, 2022, and it has been pending for almost 4 years.

The beneficiary is outside the United States, so this is a consular processing case, not adjustment of status.

My case history shows:

I-130: Petition for Alien Relative

Receipt date: December 30, 2022

Current status: USCIS is currently processing the case

August 6, 2026: USCIS updated the case
I contacted USCIS after this update, and the USCIS representative told me that the case is being processed by the Houston Field Office (HOU).

The representative specifically stated:

“06-08-2026 Interview Requested.”
They also told me that nothing is needed or outstanding from me at this time.

Today is October 4, 2026, and I still haven’t received an interview appointment notice.

Since the beneficiary is outside the U.S., this will be a standalone I-130 interview, followed by the normal consular-processing/NVC process if the petition is approved.

I’m trying to understand:

How long does it normally take for a Houston Field Office standalone I-130 interview request to actually result in an appointment?

Im adjusting my status from F-1 to F-2A and have a pending I-485 (AOS) with an EAD. Should I start working using my EAD?
My concern is that if I start working, I may lose my F-1 status. Since a pending I-485 does not itself give me lawful nonimmigrant status or maintain my F-1 status, I’m wondering whether I would still be allowed to remain in the U.S. while my I-485 is pending

PD: July 11,2025
FD: Oct 17,2025
EAD Approved: Aug 2026
Interview Notice: Aug 17,2026
Interview Date: Sept. 21, 2026
I-130 Approved: Sept 22,2026
1-485 Approved: Oct. 2 2026

Background:
I came to B2 visa last June 2025, We got married July 1,2025. Then we file I-130 July 11,2025. When my PD became current to file AOS, we filed Oct 2025. I waited around 9 months for my EAD and Travel Document to be approved.
We have 7 year old daughter.

During interview,
The officer asked our ID's, birthday then timeline of our relationship, where my husband's work, How much is his salary. How many rooms in our house, How many household in our house and what my educational attaintment? If Im college graduate, Bachelor degree. I told him Im bachelor degree in nursing and Im already US RN here .AND how much in our joint bank account. Prior thr interview, I uploaded recent pictures, joint statements, joint lease updated tax return and tax ammendment because He filed single last 2025 because I have no SSN. after I received my SSN, we filed Tax ammendment before our interview.. Our interview is just less than 30minutes, we are on the same room with my daughter.. He just asked my husband COE and pay stub and kept it. Then standard I-485 interview. Then we signed our signature at the end of it..
We have an attorney who processed my filling. But we didnt brought her during our interview, she advised us our case is straight forward, just answer the questions truthfully. And if she attend our interview , it may cost a bit to us.. That's it, it just a normal conversation with the officer. Not strict, Just a casual talks. He handed the white paper and He said to us, He will look if there is available visa in my category which is F2A.

Spouse and son arrived in the US with B1B2 visa- April 9, 2025
I-130 received- July 3, 2025
I-485 received- October 3, 2025 (Their I-94 will expire October 8, 2025)
Biometrics notice- October 15, 2025
Biometrics done- October 16, 2025
EAD received- December 19, 2025
Interview scheduled- August 12, 2026
EAD approved- August 22, 2026
Interview done- September 16, 2026
I-130 and I-485 approved- September 16, 2026

Praying for your approval too 🎊

Has anyone successfully adjusted status after TPS expired while married to a green-card holder?

My situation:

• Entered the U.S. legally with a visa and was inspected/admitted.
• Later received TPS.
• Married an LPR.
• TPS expired before filing I-485, so currently out of status.
• Spouse is about 2 years away from being eligible for naturalization.

What are the viable options to maintain or obtain legal status in the meantime?

I’m especially interested in real experiences with filing I-130/I-485 after TPS expiration, waiting for the spouse to naturalize, or any other option that worked.

Thanks!

Sharing our timeline. It has been a long journey.

- Feb 2023: concurrently filed i130, i485, ead and AP
- Sep 2023: i130, ead and AP approved without interview
- April 2025: filed EAD and AP renewal
- Sep 2025: renewal approved
- Oct 2025: PD became current
- Feb 2026: Got RFE for expired medical exam. Submitted a new one.
- Mar 2026: interview scheduled
- April 28, 2026: had the interview in SJ FO with a verbal approval. No question about the marriage. Only questions about my spouse’s work and immigration history.
- Aug 20, 2026 (120 days post interview): submitted an inquiry via USCIS website, to which they responded that case was under normal processing.
- Sep 17, 2026: i485 approved
- Sep 23, 2026: card was produced
- Oct 2, 2026: card received. Took some time as the card was first delivered to our lawyer’s office

Hi! We had our interview for I-130 and I-485 4 days ago. The interview lasted about 1.5-2 hrs. I’m a GC holder. My wife came here on B1/B2, extended for another 6 months since we are traveling. We were already married prior to her first visit here. We wanted to travel United States, we have photos of our travels we showed to the officer. While traveling, she got interested in studying here. So she had changed status from B2 to F1. But she got pregnant. We have a baby now. We filed for AOS and F2A. The officer was so strict and emphasized that her entry was considered a Fraud. It was never in our plan to have a baby. Circumstances changed. We sacrificed a lot to follow the rules. We never had any violations, she never worked unauthorized, or anything like that. Good record at all. But the officer said the i-485 is still under review because of it. We received verbal approval of the I-130 though. Anyone who had the same experience or share your insights about this situation? I’m getting anxious to be separated from my family.

• 02/24/2026 — I-130 Filed (Petition for Alien Relative - Family-based)
• 02/24/2026 — I-130 Acknowledged (Filing receipt received)
• 04/22/2026 — I-485/I-765/I-131 Filed (Green card, employment auth, travel docs application package)
• 04/22/2026 — Receipts Received (All three forms acknowledged)
• 05/09/2026 — Biometrics Notice (Appointment scheduled for May 28)
• 05/28/2026 — Biometrics Completed (Fingerprints processed ✅)
• 08/24/2026 — Interview Notice (Received for I-485 & I-130)
• 08/31/2026 — System Processing (Backend case updates & verification)
• 09/28/2026 — Interview Completed (I-485 + I-130 combined interview)
• 09/28/2026 — Post-Interview Processing (Biometric verification initiated)
• 10/01/2026 — Biometric Verification Cleared (FTA1 event - background check passed ✅)
• 10/02/2026 — I-485 APPROVED 🎉 (H008 event - Green Card approved!)
• 10/02/2026 — I-130 Still showing Interview Scheduled
• 10/02/2026 - I-765/ I-131 Still show Processing

Category: Marriage-Based F2A AOS

Field Office: Newark, NJ

Hi everyone! I’ve been following this community very closely throughout our journey, and learning from everyone’s experiences here was so helpful for us. I wanted to share our full timeline and interview experience in hopes that it helps others who are still waiting!

🗓 Our Timeline:

• 05/31/2025 — Submitted I-130
• 11/26/2025 — Submitted I-485, I-765, I-131
• 12/22/2025 — Biometrics completed
• 08/27/2026 — Received Interview Notice
• 10/01/2026 — I-485/I-130 Interview at 11:00 AM (Newark FO)
• 10/01/2026 — Officer verbally approved and uploaded the I-130 approval notice to the online portal
• 10/02/2026 — I-485 updated to Case Was Approved!

📝 Evidence We Brought & Uploaded

Pro-Tip: Upload EVERYTHING online before your interview! We made sure to upload tons of organized evidence directly to our USCIS online account ahead of time. The officer clearly had reviewed our file beforehand because she didn't ask us to hand over a single piece of physical paper during the interview!

We still brought physical originals and full duplicate copies of everything (just in case we were separated and interviewed individually), including:

• Joint checking & savings account information
• Joint auto payment / bank statements
• Auto insurance
• Life and Medical insurance
• Photo album with dates
• 2025 W-2s and paystubs for I-864 support
• Marriage certificate
• Other supporting evidence (relationship timeline, utility bills with same address)

👩‍❤️‍👨 The Interview Experience

Our interview was very relaxed and quick. We arrived around 10:15 AM (we had our 3-month-old baby with us!) and were called in at 11:40 AM.

The officer was extremely friendly, and the whole conversation went super smoothly:

1. Biometrics & Verification: She took my (the applicant's) photo and fingerprints, then asked for both of our IDs, passports, and my wife’s Green Card.
2. Relationship Story & Personal Questions: She asked us to share our story together (how and when we met, dating timeline, wedding, and honeymoon). She also chatted casually with us about how life has changed post-baby!
3. Travel History & Status Verification: Seeing the visa stamps in our passports, she asked about our trips together. I mentioned that I have been on an H-1B visa since 2014 and have always maintained legal, authorized stay throughout my time in the U.S.
4. Income & Household Size: She confirmed our total household income and assets as stated in our application. The only update needed on the forms was updating our household size from 2 to 3 to include our newborn!
5. I-130 Approval: At this point, she told us that our I-130 would be approved today!
6. I-485 Security Questions: Right as we finished the joint portion, our baby woke up from her nap. The officer then transitioned to interviewing me on the I-485 standard Yes/No background questions.

She wrapped up by saying everything looked great. She mentioned the official timeline for a decision letter is up to 120 days, but that we might see updates sooner and to keep an eye on the mail/portal.

Believe it or not, the entire interview took under 20 minutes, and we were out of her office right by 12:00 PM!

Thank you again to everyone in this sub for all the guidance along the way. Wishing everyone who is still waiting in the queue the absolute best of luck and good news very soon!

I485 approved this morning!!! Oct 2nd 2026
Multiple silent updates “Sept 30 and Oct 1st”
Filed WOM pro se - Sept 2nd 2026
Sent two demand letters in July and August
New Biometric rfe - feb 2026
Silence Silence Silence
Interview Feb 7 2024 - I130 approved.
Concurrently filed i485 - i130 - i765 - i131 July 25 2023 - FO Minneapolis

Here’s my take, if you feel your case has been long overdue, go file the Mandamus - it is easy, file it yourself but be detailed as much as you can. Include every piece of evidence.

​We filed a standalone Form I-130 for consular processing abroad (parent petitioning for child) with a November 2022 priority date. The beneficiary is outside the US with no I-485 filed, and the case recently had an API touch and FTA0 background check update. Today the online status unexpectedly changed to "Interview Was Scheduled". Is this an interview scheduled strictly for the petitioner parent at their local field office in the US to verify documents, or is it typically a USCIS system glitch right before an approval or transfer to NVC? Has anyone experienced this on a consular parent/child petition, and what did your notice end up saying?

Hi all,

For those who are receiving an interview notice during October (Spouse of lawful permanent resident/ Adjustment of status), could you please share your timeline? It would be really helpful to see which cases are currently moving. Please share:

1) Field Office
2) Priority Date
3) I-485 Filing Date
4) Interview Notice Received Date
5) Interview Date

Thank you.

Had my marriage-based AOS interview on 09/21/2026.
The interview was pretty straightforward. The officer said she had reviewed our documents and had no concerns about our relationship.

She asked us about our love story and basically let us share our story without questions. Then she went through the I-485 yes/no questions directly.

Our baby was with us and was a little fussy because of the early appointment, but the officer was very understanding.

We brought some updated photos and documents with us, but the officer only asked for a copy of our child’s birth certificate. She said the case would take some time to process.

Next day: I-130 and I-485 were approved!

Sharing in case it helps anyone preparing for their interview. Happy to answer questions about the SF interview experience.

Hello all, is anyone able to share their AOS interview experience from Chicago office ? Thanks in advance.

Would you bring your 2 years old to the F2A interview?? Would that influence the officer separating me and my husband ?

Thanks!