Joseph Climber
Nov 26, 2025
Approved just in time for Thanksgiving!!
EB‑1C AOS Approval – 3× FTA0, LA FO → Buffalo FO, Tier‑2 + Senator, Both AOS Approved (Principal + Derivative)
Posting my EB‑1C AOS timeline with the API “nerd” details (FTA0/H008, FO transfers, Tier‑2, Senator) in case it helps others who are stuck watching their cases not move.
Profile
* Category: EB‑1C, AOS in the U.S.
* PD: Always current
* Applicants: Me (principal) + spouse (derivative)
* Start: NBC → Los Angeles FO (non‑local) → Buffalo FO (local)
* End: Both I‑485s approved same day; my spouse’s about an hour after mine.
🗓️ Condensed Timeline (Only the Important Stuff)
Filing & biometrics
* 06/25/2025 – Filed:
* I‑485 + I‑485J + I‑765 + I‑131 for me
* I‑485 + I‑765 + I‑131 for spouse
* 07/21/2025 – Biometrics (code 3):
* I had my scheduled appt.
* Spouse did a walk‑in the same day (her appt was 07/25).
* API:
* My I‑485 got two FTA0 events with eventDateTime = 07/21.
* Spouse’s I‑485 got one FTA0 (created 07/26, backdated to 07/21).
Transfer to LA FO + combo card
* 08/26/2025 – Emma + later USCIS confirmed:
* Case moved from NBC → Los Angeles Field Office (non‑local).
* Interview marked “waived at this time.”
* 09/05–09/06/2025 – My AP and EAD approved (combo card).
👉 No movement on I‑485 itself; EAD/AP timing turned out to be irrelevant to I‑485 approval.
Long background‑check wait → 3rd FTA0
* From 07/21 → 10/27 (~98 days after biometrics) my I‑485 barely moved.
* I asked Emma a lot; all I got was:
* “We can’t see if background checks are complete.”
* I requested Tier‑2 callbacks three times:
* First two → generic emails.
* Third → real Tier‑2 call.
* 10/27/2025 – Key event:
* About 10 minutes before the Tier‑2 officer called, my I‑485 API showed a new (3rd) FTA0 created 2025‑10‑27, with eventDateTime backdated to biometrics date 07/21.
* After that, I treated the case as background checks complete / decision‑ready.
* Tier‑2 still wouldn’t confirm, but from watching many cases, the 3rd FTA0 is a strong signal.
Silent touches & Senator
* 11/04/2025 – I had a different Emma chat:
* Agent asked for my phone + email “to document the chat.”
* I got a USCIS survey the next day (first time ever).
* Right after that:
* My I‑485, I‑485J, and spouse’s I‑485 all got “silent” updatedAt touches with no new events.
👉 Looked like the whole family bundle was opened/synced internally.
* 11/12/2025 – I contacted my Senator.
* USCIS Congressional Liaison reply:
* Case at Los Angeles FO.
* “Assigned to an officer pending adjudicative review.”
👉 First written confirmation that an officer actually had the file, not just NBC.
Spouse EAD & move to local FO
* 11/11/2025 – Spouse’s EAD approved (AP still pending).
Again, this did not correlate directly with I‑485 decision timing.
I‑485J closure → both I‑485 approvals
* 11/25/2025 – Big prep day:
* I‑485J: API showed closed: true (J approved/accepted).
* My I‑485 and spouse’s I‑485 both got fresh updatedAt timestamps.
👉 Classic “bundle synced + job offer confirmed” just before final decision.
* Emma told me my case was transferred from LA FO → Buffalo FO, which is local for me.
* Response when I asked if interview was required:
“Your case is being reviewed by an immigration officer at this time. As of right now nothing is needed from you.”
* 👉 That sounded like final review, not an interview trigger.
* 11/26/2025 – Final approvals:
* I got an email: “We took an action on your case.”
* myUSCIS: my I‑485 → “Case Approved.”
* API: two H008 events (internal approval/card‑production code).
* ~1 hour later – My wife’s I‑485 was also approved.
* Same day, same overall sequence, just slightly behind mine.
So in the end:
* Principal and derivative both approved on 11/26/2025, about an hour apart. 🎉
🔍 What Actually Seemed to Matter (High Signal)
1. The 3rd FTA0 (10/27)
* Showed up ~3 months after biometrics, minutes before a Tier‑2 call.
* Very strong indicator that background/security checks were completed.
* After that, everything else (J approval, FO move, H008) looked like pure adjudication flow.
2. Tier‑2 persistence
* 3 attempts:
* 2 useless, 1 real call.
* I can’t prove the call caused the 3rd FTA0, but nothing happened for months, then:
* 3rd FTA0 + Tier‑2 call the same day.
* Lesson: Politely push until you get a genuine Tier‑2 callback, but don’t expect them to explicitly talk about checks.
3. Senator inquiry
* Gave me concrete info:
* Case was at LA FO,
* Assigned to an officer.
* USCIS said would process my case as soon as possible.
4. I‑485J closed → Final staging
* Once the J flipped to closed: true:
* Job offer / portability confirmed.
* My I‑485 and spouse’s both got fresh touches.
* Within a day: we both got approved.
* For EB cases, J closure is basically the last checkbox.
5. FO transfer to local (Buffalo) ≠ bad
* LA FO → Buffalo FO near the end.
* Emma: case under officer review, nothing needed, no interview.
* This was just localization + final review, not an interview trigger.
6. EAD/AP & myProgress are noise for I‑485 timing
* My combo card approved months before I‑485.
* Wife’s EAD approved ~2 weeks before final I‑485 approvals.
* myProgress/processing‑times kept saying “11–12 months” even as the case was clearly in final staging.
👉 Helpful for broad expectations, not a predictor once you see things like 3rd FTA0 + J closure + FO officer review.
If you’re EB‑1/EB‑2/EB‑3 AOS and seeing FTA0s, FO transfers, weird silence, etc., hopefully this helps you interpret the signals a bit better.
Good luck everyone and happy Thanksgiving!!!
#approved #happythanksgiving #eb1c #greencard #AOS #I-485 #EB
EB1-3
Multinational executive or manager
Total Days: 271 days
Case
2025-03-10
Today
I-140
37 Days
I-765
79 Days
I-485
162 Days
I-131
164 Days
I-485J
164 Days
Nebraska Service Center: I-140
null: I-765, I-485, I-131, I-485J
Timeline Map
2025-03-10
I-140
Submission to USCIS
2025-04-16
I-140
D+37
Decision (Approval or Denial)
2025-06-25
I-765
I-131
I-485
I-485J
D+107
Submission to USCIS
2025-09-12
I-765
D+186
Decision (Approval or Denial)
2025-09-12
I-131
Added
D+186
Approved
2025-11-25
I-485J
Added
D+260
Approved
2025-12-04
I-485
D+269
Decision (Approval or Denial)
This timeline was created with the Lawfully App. Download the Lawfully App now.
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S SNov 26, 2025
congratulations. I'm so happy for you
Moe ccNov 26, 2025
congratulations!
My case was transferred from Texas to NBC, then to the Chicago Field Office, and on November 4th it was moved to Washington D.C and ready for schedule for interview and waiting for notice.
S KatNov 26, 2025
so happy for you. Have a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving
WaitingonGC GCNov 26, 2025
Many congrats! I’m EB2 NIW as well, submitted I-485 in early Aug (two FTA0 events after biometrics) then silence for 3.5 months and just received a 3rd FTA0 two days ago, but nothing since then (was also backdated to biometrics date btw)
karen crossNov 26, 2025
@Joseph Climber what is ftao? and how do you check that?
Joseph ClimberNov 27, 2025
@WaitingonGC GC good sign, things are moving favorably for you. You may be close.
Joseph ClimberNov 27, 2025
@S S thank you! good luck to you!
Joseph ClimberNov 27, 2025
@Moe cc that’s a lot of transfers, but good to see the case progressing!
Joseph ClimberNov 27, 2025
@S Kat thank you so much! same to you!
Joseph ClimberNov 27, 2025
@karen cross the 3rd FTA0 means background check complete. Search for API check on Reddit or here in this forum
natty lissaNov 27, 2025
@Joseph Climber
do you mind sharing what was the reason you used to get tier-2 on a call?
Joseph ClimberNov 27, 2025
@natty lissa 90+ days since biometrics without background check completion (3rd FTA0) + severe loss to employer due to travel needed soon
Gary RohNov 27, 2025
@Joseph Climber Great Congrats
hope mine will be soon too
waiting since Jan 2025
max nNov 27, 2025
what questions did you find helpful to ask the tier-1 and tier-2 agents? also how did you find out your interview was waived? through the agents?
Joseph ClimberNov 27, 2025
@Gary Roh thanks, and good luck!
Joseph ClimberNov 27, 2025
@max n Emma agents can tell you where your case is being processed and if interview is waived. they can’t go much further than that. tier 2 call was brief and said they cannot not answer whether background check is complete. They were not helpful on the phone but my case moved the same day they called me.
AC AdamNov 27, 2025
congratulations. my wife’s case that transferred to the LA FO on the same day still has no updates. hopefully we hear something soon.
Joseph ClimberNov 27, 2025
@AC Adam thank you. all the best and good luck!
Md shNov 28, 2025
@Joseph Climber Huge congratulations! 🎊 The level of detail and clarity in your post was exceptional—it really showcased your hard work and managerial skills! You absolutely earned this!
T ANov 28, 2025
Congratulations 👏👏👏🎉🎉🎉🎉
black blazerNov 28, 2025
congratulations @Joseph Climber
Joseph ClimberNov 28, 2025
thanks @Md sh happy to help. @T A @black blazer thank you!
Green me please godNov 28, 2025
@Joseph Climber congrats!! can you comment on what the senator helped you with? did you need a letter from your employer? thank you!
Joseph ClimberNov 28, 2025
@Green me please god no letter from employer, but that would be needed for an expedite request. I mentioned how senator helped in point #3
Sadie blessedNov 28, 2025
Congratulations!
Green me please godNov 29, 2025
@Joseph Climber thanks, I was wondering what you wrote to the senator to get them to inquire, if you can share, thanks
Joseph ClimberNov 29, 2025
@Green me please god basically summarized my case status asked whether background checks were complete and asked to route my case to an officer for review
AR R3d
How did you contact USCIS and escalate so many times while being within processing times?
The same for involving Senator’s office/Congressman? Did they give you answer different from the fact that the case was within normal processing times?
