D 3
Nov 11, 2025
EAD Hardship Question and Unfair Processing Times
Hi everyone. I have an approved EB1A, ROW, current PD, etc.
I applied for i-485 and EAD in March. Biometrics in April. I still haven't even gotten my EAD.
My STEM OPT expires on January 8th and I am freaking out. Many people who applied months after me have already been approved, like those who applied in August and September. And I know there are people who applied before me who still haven't been approved.
Why are processing times random like this? It's so unfair. Do they not realize that people have been waiting almost a year while they process people whose cases were submitted weeks ago?
Sincere question, if you can answer it -->
Do they not take into consideration someone's legal status, such as when it expires and when their current work authorization expires??!
The earliest I can inquire is December 5th! If I do a "financial hardship" thing, would it work?
I feel like those who live near big field offices will always be delayed as they have a higher chance of getting interviewed so it goes to those big local FO, like mine at San Antonio. People who live in or near these major hubs will be waiting quite some time because those small non-local ones have faster processing times. Just my two cents.
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kevin 123Nov 11, 2025
@D 3
I have filed I485/EAD In last week of February no updates on both , I have created service request asked me to wait 60 days , now it has been 100 days no updates 😞
D 3Nov 11, 2025
@kevin 123 It sucks. Any idea why they are taking this long? How did you do that? I don't even have 60 days. My EAD expires in around 55 days, 😞
R DNov 11, 2025
I'm in the same boat and can't work. I submitted an expedited request that was approved and even contacted congressman and still no luck. I feel this is outright wickedness and intentional inefficiencies.
m sNov 12, 2025
it seems a common pattern for EB cases who applied around Jan/Feb/March. Mine has always been current (ROW). Sent 485, ead, ap since March. Biometrics in April. Interview scheduled and cancelled on May. Silence since then. Not even ead nor ap issued.
Overall, I’ve seen very few EB approvals since the new fiscal year started. Previous years data suggest most likely approvals happen around Dec/Jan time.
DrDam DDNov 12, 2025
I also have feeling that they are having issues with Feb/Mar/Apr submission. Only my EAD was approved just 2 weeks ago since March. Try expedite because of your situation & atleast you will try your luck instead of not doing anything.
alkaline fNov 25, 2025
i applied October 2024. no EAD
I requested for expedition several times but no answer. I am under severe financial loss.
