Case Processing
Sept-26: EB-3 OW/ROW Approvals. What Recent Data Reveals About the 2021 and Early 2022 Queue:
Since many of you who filed in 2021 are still waiting for movement on your I-485 applications, I decided to compile and analyze a solid sample of public data regarding recent approvals from major sponsors and agencies within the EB-3 OW ecosystem to understand where USCIS is focusing its efforts.
Although the overall USCIS inventory shows a backlog of over 2,100 pending cases, observing the actual pattern of these approvals gives us a realistic perspective on the pace of adjudication. Here is what the numbers indicate:
The 2021 Backlog is Still Clearing: The recent approvals we tracked show a steady flow clearing out the end of 2021 (specifically cases from August, November, and December 2021). Those within that late-2021 window are seeing real movement.
The Early 2022 Push: The data confirms that USCIS is already making significant headway into the first quarter of 2022 (with a notable concentration of approvals from January and February 2022). This explains why the queue seems to be moving for some, while others remain at a standstill.
What to Expect in the Coming Months: With the fiscal year-end approaching and the release of new visa quotas, the expectation is that USCIS will push to clear the remaining 2021 cases still in the inventory.
To those from 2021 who are still waiting without updates: you are not alone. The bottleneck is real, but the approval flow for these cohorts shows that USCIS is making headway on these months at a trickle.
H-1B Sponsorship With an Expired Passport as an Asylum Applicant
I’m currently working in the U.S. and exploring employer-sponsored H-1B sponsorship. My passport has expired, and due to my current circumstances as an asylum applicant, I’m unable to renew it.
Would an expired passport prevent an employer from sponsoring me for an H-1B, particularly through a change of status from within the U.S.? Has anyone dealt with a similar situation?
Looking for information based on USCIS rules or personal experience. Thank you.
case required uscis to send a latter
Can anyone explain to me today Sep25/2026 Uscis send me notice it’s says case required uscis to send a notice but I don’t have that latter yet received thank you everyone
VAWA spouse or child: Self-petitioning spouse or child of an abusive U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
Total Days: 1335 days
Case
2023-01-30
Today
I-360
1335 Days
Nebraska Service Center: I-360
processing times sky rocket
Hopefully after election start working on
I see alot cases from summer 2025 waiting for interview, oath also stuck,
the uscis data don’t also look good 70% less approval, so looks like they going to hold wait for years,,,
Naturalization
Application for Naturalization
Total Days: 200 days
Case
2026-03-10
Today
N-400
200 Days
National Benefits Center: N-400
Did anyone get a second biometrics notice - I-485?
We filed our I-485 in Aug 2022, we then did biometrics in Oct 2022, got our I-765 and I-131 and then it retrogressed. Our case became current in April 2026, got rfe on Aug 12th, 2026, case updated to ‘RFE response received’ on Sep 16th. We got the same ‘RFE response received’ status again on Sep 23rd and then case status changed to ‘a notice was sent’ today. In the mail, we got a new biometrics appointment today. Did anyone get a second biometrics appointment like this?
Case requested USCIS to send notice - Last Update after I sent RFE (medical)
Filed EB4 I-485 back in Jan 2020, case was reopened in June 2026, and after responding to a medical RFE my status just changed to "Case Required USCIS To Send A Notice" as of Sep 25, 2026 — no detail on what kind. Anyone seen this happen at a similar stage on an EB4 case? Trying to get a read before the physical letter shows up.
