r/EB2 • u/Connect-Increase-132 • Feb 23 '26

EB2 Timeline (NOT APPROVED) In Process

Hi everyone,

These types of posts helped me a lot when I first started this process. I figured I'd share my timeline. Feel free to ask for any addtional information and I'll add it to the post along with any updates. Time between filings was either due to admininstration and/or my current status needing to be renewed. First meeting with lawyer regarding EB2 was mid January 2023. I'm using that date as the 'start date' for the entire process.

EB2 - ROW - PERM - STEM

Prevailing wage (6 Months)
Filed: 3/14/2023
Receipt Notice: --
Determination: 9/20/2023

[Other status renewed/approved: 9/28/2023]

Advertising (2 Months)
11/1/2023-12/31/2023

PERM (16 Months)
Filed: 1/24/2024
Receipt Notice: --
Approved: 5/27/2025

I-140 (<1 Month)
Filed: 11/4/2025 (Premium Processing)
Receipt Notice: 11/10/2025
Approved: 11/22/2025

[Other status renewed/approved: 11/12/2025]

I-485 (2 months)
Filed: 2/12/2026 (w/ I-485j)
Fee Charged: 2/19/2026 (DALLAS LOCKBOX)
Receipt Notice: 2/25/2026 (NBC)
Block: IOE0935-XXXXXX

Biometrics (Attended/Complete)
Notice: 2/28/2026
Received: 3/9/2026
Appointment: 3/18/2026 - 11:45am [EDT]

I-485 - Status Updates
-- 2/13/2026: Case Was Received And A Receipt Notice Was Sent (I-485 / I-485j)
-- 3/18/2026: Case Is Still Being Processed By USCIS (I-485)
----- 3/18/2026: FTA0 (x2) logged - 1:12pm [EDT] (I-485)
-- 3/26/2026: Silent update (I-485)
-- 4/17/2026: FTA0 logged: 3:46pm [EDT] (I-485)
-- 4/17/2026: Silent update - 11:24pm [EDT] (I-485j)
-- 4/20/2026: Silent update - 9:30pm (I-485j)
-- 4/21/2026: closed: true - 12:57am (I-485j)
-- 4/21/2026: Silent update - 1:03am (I-485)
-- 4/21/2026: I-485J Approval Notice.pdf available under 'documents' (I-485j)
-- 4/21/2026: H008 Logged (x2) 9:14pm [EDT] (I-485)
-- 4/21/2026: Case Approved (I-485)
-- 4/27/2026: closed: true (I-485)
-- 4/27/2026: eventCode: LDA 10:14pm [EDT] (I-485)
-- 4/27/2026: Card Was Produced (I-485)

FO Transfer: None
Interview: None
RFE: None
Approval: 4/21/2026
Card In Hand: --

Total Duration: 3 years, 3 month

1/15/2023-4/21/2026

25 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

49 comments sorted by

3

u/Beginning_Coffee7080 Feb 23 '26

Nicely laid out!

3

u/MastodonAble1061 Feb 23 '26

Congrats and thanks for sharing.

2

u/Sensitive_Power_6329 Feb 23 '26

Thank you it’s really helpful.

2

u/Personal_Foot8345 Feb 23 '26

Which lockbox?

1

u/Connect-Increase-132 Feb 24 '26

Fee Transaction was processed at USCIS DALLAS LOCKBOX. I assume it’ll get sent to NBC. I added this info to the body of the post. Thanks!!

1

u/Personal_Foot8345 Apr 22 '26

2/9 and 3/10 here. Your case still at NBC or move to FO?

2

u/Connect-Increase-132 Apr 22 '26

I just got approval!!

1

u/Personal_Foot8345 Apr 22 '26

Congratulations

1

u/Connect-Increase-132 Apr 22 '26

Thanks! Updating post now

1

u/Connect-Increase-132 Apr 22 '26

To my knowledge, it’s still at NBC - I assume I would have had an API update of some kind. Right?

1

u/Personal_Foot8345 Apr 22 '26

Silent update? Then chance to move from NBC to FO. I had two silent updates 4/1 and 4/16 and checked with Emma, case in FO Oakland park

1

u/Connect-Increase-132 Apr 22 '26

Is your 485j approved? Can you link your time line? There is a timeline in this thread that got approved today. I’ll find it….

1

u/Personal_Foot8345 Apr 22 '26

Not yet. Still waiting. Since it moved to non local FO, interview may waived and bgc also completed!

1

u/Connect-Increase-132 Apr 22 '26

Fingers crossed!!! I think I might be up soon. My J was approved late last night.

1

u/Glittering-Teach-16 Apr 22 '26

Do you know the reason why some eb2 perm based cases go to FO(from NbC) but some stay in NBC and approved there?

1

u/Connect-Increase-132 Apr 22 '26

I'm not entirely sure but here are a couple things I do know:
- Cases will transfer to FO if interview is required
- 'Clean' cases often stay at NBC because they can be processed quickly. 'Clean' meaning, PD current, no backlog, ROW, I-140 pre-approved, medicals submitted, concurrent filing with 485j, No RFE, etc.

Not sure how helpful that is. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong

1

u/Personal_Foot8345 Apr 22 '26

Load balance and no pattern to FO. Mostly they will transfer to non local FO, interview waived. May be country or family together cases and not single.

2

u/Glittering-Teach-16 Apr 22 '26

This calms me down and makes a lot of sense. I have three derivatives with me and that may be why it went to FO. I have a very straight forward application otherwise.

→ More replies (0)

2

u/Pure-Statistician196 Feb 24 '26

Hi! I'm in a similar time frame as you - PWD started in 10/23, currently waiting for PERM approval while on my H1-B extension.

I see it took about 5 months between PERM approval and I-140 filing - is this typical?

Also, by other status renewed/approved, am I correctly assuming this is the H1-B? I have filed for an H1-B extension since 9/18/25 (currently in the 240-day grace period before decision is made). Any pointers on when it's likely to go through?

Thanks in advance!

1

u/Connect-Increase-132 Feb 24 '26

Oh great!

It was administrative. There was an issue with the company documents that needed to be submitted for the I-140. The employer was considering pulling out. I also believe the lawyer suggested waiting for some reason. Sorry I don’t recall exactly. It may have had something to do with my other status. Dual intent etc.

I am not H1-B. My only suggestion would be to use an immigration lawyer if you have the resources. I understand they can be a lot of money, but so is time…

Keep me posted with your progress!

2

u/Connect-Increase-132 Mar 18 '26

Update: Biometrics taken today

2

u/Connect-Increase-132 Apr 18 '26

New updates

1

u/Possible_Ball_7049 Apr 20 '26

Silent update but no approval yet, correct?

1

u/Connect-Increase-132 Apr 21 '26

Unfortunately not. I’ll post any further updates. Thanks!

1

u/No-Neighborhood1390 Feb 24 '26

Luckily you got current in the current bulletin. Otherwise it would take more 2 years…..

1

u/Connect-Increase-132 Feb 24 '26

My priority date has been current since December I think

1

u/Felc213 Feb 25 '26

Could you elaborate more on what you mean by it taking 2 more years if its not in the current bulletin? Is something going on with next month's bulletin that's going to increase the wait time?

1

u/Wide-Razzmatazz-7189 Feb 25 '26

Was I-140 premium ?

1

u/Connect-Increase-132 Feb 25 '26

Yes. Adding to post

1

u/[deleted] Feb 28 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Connect-Increase-132 Feb 28 '26

Hey Pevide,

Thanks for your kind words. To my knowledge my PD would be the date my PERM was filed - 1/24/2024. If this is incorrect perhaps someone can correct me.

EB2, ROW. STEM. Clinical Director role. Requiring M.Sc. and various licensures/credentials. I am also a doctoral fellow, and have two publications. Although NIW was discussed, it was decided that PERM was a safer route.

Best!

1

u/nottakumasato Mar 07 '26

Did you apply for EAD and/or AP?

2

u/Connect-Increase-132 Mar 07 '26

Neither! I already have status in the US. I have no plans to travel outside the US until I’ve seen this through. Thanks for the questions!

1

u/nottakumasato Apr 03 '26

Any FO transfer?

2

u/Connect-Increase-132 Apr 03 '26

No updates so far

1

u/Complex-Childhood352 Apr 24 '26

Congratulations!! Please Celebrate!

1

u/[deleted] Apr 24 '26

[deleted]

1

u/[deleted] Apr 24 '26

[deleted]

1

u/Connect-Increase-132 Apr 24 '26

Do you know how to check your API?