r/EB2NIW_I485_AOS

It's been about 5-6 weeks since our package was delivered to the Elgin lockbox and we still haven't received receipt notices. Feels longer than the norm.

A couple of wrinkles making it harder to track:

- I reached out to the lockbox directly but haven't heard back

- I'm at a large company where immigration is handled through a corporate law firm account so they can't confirm if our specific filing fee was charged, which means I can't use the "check if your check was cashed" proxy

Anyone else who filed around March/April seeing similar lag? Any tips on escalating if the lockbox inquiry goes nowhere? I'm worried about retrogressions with the next bulletin and how it might impact us

Thanks 🙏

- NOT APPROVED YET -

Title: My EB-2 NIW Premium Processing timeline (I-907 rejection, resubmission, and RFE) – sharing in case it helps someone
I wanted to share my EB-2 NIW premium processing experience in case it helps someone else going through the same thing.
Case type: I-140 EB-2 NIW
Receipt number prefix: IOE
Service Center handling premium: Texas Service Center
Timeline
02/20/2026 – I-140 received by USCIS

I originally filed I-140 + I-907 together

My first I-907 was rejected

The rejection notice said the “Receipt Number of Related Petition or Application” was not completed on the I-907

Since the I-140 had not yet been fully receipted when I first sent the premium request, that field became an issue

I later re-filed the I-907 correctly with the I-140 receipt number

03/11/2026 – USCIS accepted the corrected I-907 for premium processing

I waited a long time with no update and got worried because many people were getting decisions much faster

I emailed the premium processing unit and was told my case was under review by an officer and that the premium clock was at day 38

05/07/2026 – USCIS issued an RFE

What I learned
An RFE is not a denial.
It means the officer is still reviewing the case and wants more evidence or clarification.

If your I-907 is rejected, check the reason very carefully.
In my case, the issue was the related petition receipt number field.

Don’t panic if your case takes longer than other premium cases.
Some people get approved in 10–15 days, but others go much closer to the end of the premium period.

Emailing the premium processing unit can help confirm whether the case is actively under review.

NIW healthcare cases can still get RFEs even if the package is well prepared.
Premium does not mean automatic approval, only faster action.

My advice
If you get an RFE:
wait for the actual notice

read every point carefully

respond thoroughly

do not rush a weak response just because you’re anxious

I’m sharing this because I know how stressful it is to wait and compare your timeline to everyone else’s. If anyone has a similar EB-2 NIW healthcare case, feel free to share your timeline too.

Block #: 09344

• PD: 06-24-2024 (became current in March 2026)
• RD: 10-30-2025 (along with I-765, which was still at processing)
• Bio metric: 11-26-2025
• 2 FTA0s: 11-26-2025
• Silent update: 01-27-2026 (possibly the date that the case transferred to San Fransico FO)
• Silent update: 04-28-2026
• 3rd FT0: 05-10-2026
• H008: 05-11-2026
• Silent update: 05-11-2026
• Email notice: 05-11-2026 at 2:43pm

I submitted a congressional inquiry regarding the status of my case in early April. USCIS replied two weeks later that my case is still in a normal processing timeframe and basically told me to wait.

Can someone guide me through the steps of how to submit an expedite request for I-765 ? Do I need to call USCIS or chat with Emma or I can do it online?

Hello everyone,

I applied for the I-485 AOS last week of March. And completed my biometrics on 04/23. After the biometrics, I got as usual 2X FTA0 on i-485 and 3X on i-765. Recently I got a silent update on my I-485 on 05/05/2026. But there is not a single silent update for my I-765.

Those who have a similar timeline as me did you receive your EAD already? Or, what is the usual timeline for receiving the EAD. I am a single applicant and the case is at NBC with an interview waived as per Emma.

Thanks in advance.

Early march filing. PD in Nov 2024. My case was showing since this Monday “case is still being processed by USCIS” (during that time i had 2 FTA0s and 2 silent updates with the most recent being on Apr 29th).

Monday evening it changed to “Case Is Being Actively Reviewed By USCIS” and I also received an email we have taken an action on your case. Upon checking JSON: there is one new FTA0, new FTA1 and one silent update. All posted this morning.

So in total I have 3 FTA0s, 1 FTA1 and 3 silent updates so far.

I wonder if anyone has been in similar situation? What does it signify? And also, once it shows this status, how long it can take from here on?

Hi, My husband and I filled our I-485, I-765 and I-131 together this early April. We have received official Form I-797C notices for our I-485, I-765, and I-131 applications (RD is April 8) and we already received the payment confirmation; however, all receipt numbers are showing as "invalid" when checked via the USCIS Case Status Online tool. We also have not received Online Access Codes…….. anyone have any ideas or suggestions for me? We tried to call USCIS, asked Emma, and sent email to lockbox etc. but nothing happened then….

Timeline:

I-485 RD: 10/01/2025

Biometrics: 10/28/2025

Had 2 FTAs after biometrics

No silent updates since then

updatedAt still shows 10/28

Asked Emma and they confirmed the case is still at NBC

PD is current.

Anyone else in the same boat with NBC? Especially employment-based cases with no movement after biometrics for months.

I filed on March 20 both I-485 and I-765 - I did biometric on April 20, got 2 FTA0 on both forms right after the biometrics, and one more FTA0 and silent update on I765 the day after.. since then nothin.. is that normal ? I have approved EB2

All three firms have confirmed I qualify for an EB-2 NIW, and I'm trying to decide between them. I'm from one of the 39 countries under the partial ban, so country-specific experience would be especially helpful.

If you've worked with any of them in 2026, what was your experience like: quality of the petition, responsiveness, RFE handling, and overall value? Any to avoid? guarantee of refile and/or refund on denial.

Appreciate any honest takes 🙏

My AOS (I-485) interview is this month, and I'd love help preparing!

If you've had an AOS interview for EB2 NIW, what was it like? What questions were you asked?

And in general, what advice would you give?

Context:

- Self-petition, ROW (not in list of 39 or 75 countries), single

- Proposed endeavor: co-founder of a healthcare startup

- Current work: roughly aligned with PE (employee at healthcare startup, but a different vertical/niche of healthcare)

I'd really appreciate any guidance and 'field reports' from folks who've gone through this!

Hi,

I saw that the timestamp has changed in my USCIS online account (using API Access). But I did not see any changes in other questions/attributes. Everything else is same. What might be the reason for this? Thanks for your insights in advance.

Hi,

My employment based AOS (I-485) case is now at the NY FO as per what emma live agent told me. NY is non-local to me.

It probably was transferred at around April 29th.

Would you know the general timeline and how long it takes for this particular FO to process AOS cases?

Thank you

PS: Emma just told me its New York FO so am assuming its Manhattan and not Brooklyn or Long Island.

Edit: Got a silent update today 5/6

Tried asking Emma if there are any updates on my case but the live agent just gave a generic response saying “I am sorry for any information regarding this case please call contact center at xxxxx for further verification… etc”

Is this a normal reply? And how do you actually get to hear some update from them? Like are there any specific prompts that they are more responsive to?

My last silent update on 4/28/2026, and no more updates by now.. :(
My I-140 was approved in March, PD is 3/30/2024.. how long should I wait for the approval… :(

**USCIS Timeline**

FO is SF

**April 26, 2026**
* Apr 27, 2026 at 09:00 PM — I-485 IOE0934********* updated

**March 16, 2026**
* Mar 17, 2026 at 11:00 PM — I-485J IOE0934********* last updated
* Mar 17, 2026 at 11:00 PM — I-485J
* Mar 17, 2026 at 11:00 PM — I-485 IOE0934**********updated

**March 15, 2026**
* Mar 16, 2026 at 06:00 PM — I-485 IOE0934*********** updated

**March 9, 2026**
* Mar 10, 2026 at 12:00 PM — I-485 IOE0934*********** last updated 👋
* Mar 10, 2026 at 12:00 PM — I-485 👋

**November 19, 2025**
* Nov 20, 2025 at 12:00 PM — I-485 FTA0 event 👋
* Nov 20, 2025 at 12:00 PM — I-485 FTA0 event 👋

**October 30, 2025**
* Oct 31, 2025 at 08:00 PM — I-485 notice: Appointment Scheduled

**October 19, 2025**
* Oct 20, 2025 at 03:00 AM — I-485 IAF event
* Oct 20, 2025 at 03:00 AM — I-485J IAF event

**October 12, 2025**
* Oct 13, 2025 at 08:00 PM — I-485 IOE0934***********submitted
* Oct 13, 2025 at 08:00 PM — I-485J IOE0934************ submitted

Hey everyone,

Sharing my full details and had a question for the community.

Category: EB2 NIW
ROW (not backlogged country)
Field Office: Louisville, KY

Timeline:

• I-485 Filed: Nov 4, 2025
• Biometrics: Dec 10, 2025
• Interview Scheduled: Mar 27, 2026
• Interview Date: May 5, 2026
• Derivative received EAD and AP, not primary

Interview Experience:
Had our interview today, it went really well overall. Officer was professional and friendly and talked about how the new rule is creating delays, also added, "I do not see any issues here, keep checking your mailbox".

Questions were mostly:

• Basic background verification
• Relationship related (we got married less than a year ago and after I-140 approval)
• Standard yes/no from the form

Post-Interview Update:
~14 minutes after interview time, saw a silent update (last updated timestamp changed, no status change).

Question to the community:
Has anyone here been approved after April 27 (post-rule change)?

• Especially EB2 NIW / ROW
• After interview or with similar silent updates
• Primary from the 75 countries listed

Trying to understand if approvals are still moving or if things are slowing down. Would really appreciate if people can share:

• Approval timelines after interview
• Whether you had silent updates before approval

Thanks and good luck to everyone waiting 🤞

EB2-NIW from ROW
Priority data: 04/2025
I-485 receipt date: 03/06/2026
Biometric: 03/31/2026
Case was transferred to San Fernando FO 05/01/2026

How long should I wait to be approved by this office? Anyone with experience?

I have I-485 biometrics scheduled for May 15.

I also applied for OPT I-765 on May 5, and now I got another biometrics appointment for May 27.

Basically the title: should I attend both appointments, or will the first biometrics cover both cases?

Has anyone had this happen before?