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Jul 31, 2026
GC Approval
I-485 Approved – EB2 NIW 🎉
Lawyer-CHEN
I wanted to share my timeline in case it helps others who are waiting.
Profile
* Physician on active H-1B
* EB2 NIW
* 1,000+ research citations
* few publication in respected journals (including BMJ)
* 5 letters of recommendation from well-known experts in my field
Timeline
* Priority Date: October 2023
* I-485 Filed: December 2025
* Biometrics: January 26, 2026
* April 2026: Emma/live agent confirmed case was transferred to the Honolulu, HI Field Office
* May 26: Silent update
* June 24: Silent update
* July 6: Interview notice received
* July 27: Interview at Omaha Field Office
* July 29: Silent update
* July 30: Silent update
* July 31 (9:44 AM): Received I-485 approval email 🎉
Interview Experience
There were two officers present—one appeared to be training the other. The interview was straightforward and lasted only a short time.
Questions included:
* Identity verification
* Standard I-485 yes/no eligibility questions
* My wife’s immigration status (I explained she has her own J-1 waiver and is not my dependent)
* Date of marriage
* Whether our children are U.S. citizens (Yes)
* Whether I had received any speeding tickets or other violations since arriving in the U.S. (asked twice)
* Whether I had ever been denied a visa (Yes—I explained my first application was refused due to insufficient ties to my home country, and I was approved one week later after reapplying.)
* Whether I had ever overstayed a visa
During the interview, I mistakenly answered “No” to the overstay question because I got distracted. My I-485 application correctly disclosed a 12-day overstay during the peak of COVID, with a full explanation.
After speaking with my attorney, I submitted a correction letter to my USCIS account about three hours after the interview. Neither interviewing officer seemed to care during interview seeing difference in written vs my answer.
Final Result
My I-485 was approved on July 31, 2026.
I hope this timeline helps others going through the process. Wishing everyone waiting for their approval the very best—your turn is coming!
please let me know if any Q.
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yuan hsJul 31, 2026
Congratulations. I applied in late October 2025. EB2-NIW and currently a H1B holder. I havent heard anything except that USCIS is processing my case. Just wondering - did they ever waive an interview and then decided to interview you? I dont have a lawyer. Do you think its a goof idea to have one?
Sheila C CAug 1, 2026
congrats!
How long have you been living in the US?
