I-140 approved (EB2 NIW, ROW, F-1) - figuring out I-485 vs OPT timing
Hello,
I'm on F-1 finishing my PhD in June. I used Chen Immigration for my I-140 with premium processing, which was approved yesterday (PD March 16; approved April 10, I think Arizona center). Since I'm ROW, I should be current now, but the May filing chart doesn't seem to be out yet.
I have a job offer starting in July (3-year contract), so I need work authorization by then. I applied for post-completion OPT on March 29 with standard processing. However, now that the I-140 is approved I'm trying to figure out the I-485 and the overlap with OPT. Chen told me it's better to wait with the I-485 until after I get the OPT EAD, but from lurking on this sub it seems like that's not always what people do.
My concern is that if May retrogresses I lose my filing window entirely, and who knows how long I'd have to wait to become current again. I don't want to sit around for 2 months waiting for standard OPT processing if that means missing my chance to file. I'm considering upgrading OPT to premium processing so I can get it approved faster, but that's not cheap and I'm not sure it's even necessary if I can file I-485 without waiting for OPT.
A few things I'm trying to figure out:
- Looking at this (and similar) subs, it seems like a lot of people file I-485 without waiting for OPT. I am trying to understand if Chen were extra cautious in their recommendation. Do I even need the OPT EAD before filing I-485, or can I just go ahead? If I don't need to wait, I can skip upgrading OPT to premium and save that fee.
- For those who self-filed I-485, how long did it actually take you to prepare everything and submit from scratch? Trying to figure out if I even have time to file before May.
- I see a lot of people here self-filing I-485 and it seems pretty doable, but I'm nervous about messing something up. For anyone who used Chen for the I-140, did you also go with them for the I-485 or did you just do it yourself? Was it worth paying them again?
- From what I understand, if I file I-485 I can also get an EAD through that instead of through OPT. But from what I understand, using the I-485 EAD means giving up F-1 status. For those who went this route, do you regret it? Is it better to keep F-1 as a fallback through OPT, or is the I-485 EAD safe enough to rely on?
I'm also talking to Chen and my international students office but would love to hear what people here actually did.
Thanks in advance, this sub has been super helpful throughout this whole process.