/r/USCIS FAQs

I’ve recently become familiar with USCIS after attempting to apply for an AOS for my spouse. So far it’s been the most stressful, horrific system I’ve ever had to deal with. I’m truly disgusted that our supposedly advanced country is so ineffective and careless.

2.5 months ago my spouse and I meticulously put together our I-130 and I-485. We submitted the I-130 online, expecting that we’d be able to submit the I-485 immediately after or at least in the following week. We’ve had no such luck. My spouse’s current status ends in exactly a year from today, and we’d planned to give ourselves 14 months to ensure we wouldn’t have a lapse in underlying status to avoid any ICE encounters at the interview. We filed our I-130, got our receipt number, but didn’t receive a receipt notice like we were supposed to. It literally says “case was received and receipt notice was sent”. I filed everything I could to remedy this and contacted USCIS several times.

Not only did we get conflicting information and false hope from many agents, but the last one we spoke to said he could quite literally see on his end that they never sent us anything. He also said there was nothing he could do about it. Keep in mind I filed a non-delivery on September 22 which I asked about, he said in response that the last agent I spoke to had submitted another non-delivery which cancels out the first one. Now we’ll have to wait ANOTHER 30 business days if that even works (I doubt it will).

I know people are suffering through so much more than this and in much worse positions due to USCIS and ICE’s antics and reading those stories makes me even more enraged. We paid $600 to submit a form and they can’t even hold themselves responsible for giving us the receipt so we can actually file our case. We’re losing time and I’m so frustrated.

If we were in any other administration this would be a non-issue because of the authorized stay. But now that ICE has shown up to interviews and arrested people for not being in status we have to fear our loved ones being taken at our green card appointment regardless of their record. I’m sorry this is long, and I know it’s nothing compared to other stories on here, but I just can’t believe the absurdity of this system even in the simplest of issues.

Filed March 31,2025
Approved October 24, 2026

Finally! After 2 RFEs, we’re officially approved! 😭❤️ Thank You, Lord, for answering our prayers! 🙏✨
Sending approval dust to everyone who’s still waiting for their good news! ✨🙏 May your approvals come soon! ❤️

Hi all,

I received my approval on 10/24, approximately 5 months after interviewing. I posted about my interview some time ago here.

I've been in the U.S. for about two decades years under different statuses. Never out of status, no violations. I had initially come for school on F-1, switched to H1B after graduating, back to F-1 for a graduate degree, and then (cap exempt) H1B again in my current job. Didn't think I'd stay for this long but one thing led to another and I found myself in the green card line. My I-140 was approved in Jan 2021 but I was unable to file for adjustment because I'm from a backlogged country. Along the way I got married so my wife and I adjusted status using cross-chargeability (i.e., using my wife's country of birth rather than my own).

Here is our timeline.

Jan 12, 2026: Application received

Feb 19, 2026: Biometrics

April 6, 2026: I-485J approved. Interview was initially waived (per Emma). I thought I was headed for a quick approval.

April 20, 2026: Interview scheduled at Boston FO.

May 26, 2026: Interview day. It went well but we went in right after the May memo, so were told things would be a bit slower partly due to additional background checks. Got an FTA1 right after the interview.

Mid-August 2026: Contacted senator's office to inquire about our case. Heard back from USCIS saying our case was progressing normally. Based on what some folks were saying back then we thought the inquiry would bring our file some attention and we'd get an approval. This didn't happen.

Mid-September 2026: My wife got a silent update.

October 4, 2026: I got a silent update.

October 23, 2026: Both my wife and I got silent updates within a few minutes of each other. I started thinking we'd get an approval soon.

October 24, 2026: Approvals came in 24 hours and a few minutes after our last silent update.

I'm very glad that our journey has finally ended! I have checked this sub often, especially during the brutal 5 month wait after the interview. I'm super grateful to have seen other people's updates and approvals as these gave me some hope about my own. I thought I'd post about my approval now, in solidarity with all of you that are waiting. I'm really looking forward to traveling to see my family after a long gap and not worrying about getting a visa (have only been back once in the last 7 years because of how hard things have gotten).

Good luck and stay strong during the wait!

I’m so happy to share with you all that I got approved this morning. I did my paperwork myself no legal assistance but got so much help from this thread and @KseniyaInternational on YouTube.

My case:
Family based through marriage to USC. Married 1 year prior to my entry in US on a B1/B2. Filed packet before period of stay expired on I94.

My timeline:

May 19: Packet sent to Elgin via UPS

May 21: Official Receipt date (Package delivered)

May 26: Notified via text that packet was received.

June 26: Biometrics scheduled notice (scheduled for July 20 something, rescheduled to earlier date)

July 2: Biometrics completed (multiple FTA updates on API immediately after completion)

July 9: Interview scheduled. (My spouse is in the military and would’ve been deployed on the day of the interview. I had planned to attend without my spouse after getting advice from this thread. Eventually my spouse was able to submit documentation to command and was cleared to attend interview.) PLEASE EXHAUST EVERY OPTION BEFORE RESCHEDULING AN INTERVIEW, it could delay your case badly.

August 13: Interview at ATL FO. It went well, was relaxed. Officer said walk me through the timeline of your relationship. (We’ve been together a total of 9 years including marriage) The officer was interested in the details so he typed a lot while we spoke. He didn’t interrupt he just used hand gestures which meant “keep talking” so we talked all about everything we’ve done over the years. At the end the officer said “We could’ve been done a while ago but I just let you keep talking.” At the end we went over the 485 questions then he said. “This isn’t apart of the interview I just want to know how many kids do you plan on having.” We found that very funny. He handed us the paper about my case being under review. My spouse smartly asked so “Based on our interview what can we expect?” The officer said “Based on what I saw here I’d say your i130 is looking like an approval but other checks need to happen so I’d give it a few weeks.” We were happy about that answer.

It indeed took a few weeks during this time my grandmother had passed and I wanted to attend the funeral . I did three requests on the basis of humanitarian need. I did an expedite request of my I485 using secure messaging on myuscis website. (Later denied after the funeral) I submitted one congressional and one senatorial inquiry. I only heard back from Jon Ossof after the funeral. I was offered emergency parole by USCIS but was warned not to take it due to several unjustified ICE arrests. So I missed her funeral that was a hard blow.

September 29: Email saying USCIS took action on your case. Status change from interview scheduled to currently reviewing. API updates showed multiple FTA1 on I130

September 30: I130 approved (I genuinely thought my 485 would be approved the next day and I could make it to the funeral but unfortunately it did not happen.)

October 21: Expedite request for 485 denied (USCIS did not state why, just unable to expedite at this time. But the funeral already passed so it didn’t matter.)

October 26: API Updated at timestamp now saying October 26. No notifications

October 27: Case approved.

God be praised. Happy to answer any questions.

Please share your experience.

Finally It's my turn to post here!

Hi Everyone, I entered on F1 ten years ago.

Applied: Aug 2026
Biometrics: Sept 2026
EAD approved: a week before interview
Interview: oct 2026
Approved: oct 2026 the next day after the interview ( i130 approved in the morning and i485 on the evening)

I had an overstay of couple of years and unauthorized work as well.
Needless to say I was nervous for the interview, specially after it all moving so quickly.
The interview went really smooth, the officer was nice and even made a few jokes. She asked a few questions about the relationship and then moved on to i485 questions. She asked all the questions of i485 and she took her time describing what each question meant also. She was very considerate and helpful throughout.

We were in and out within an hour.

From what the officer said in my case, What helped my case was uploading a lot of evidence in the portal beforehand. I had extra evidence that I hadn't uploaded and I offered it to her at the beginning of the interview but she said she doesn't need them.
Give short answers and only the truth, they really didn't seem to care as long as we told the truth.

It is a huge relief that has been burdening my life for years at this point, many times I felt like I lost hope. Hang in there, I know it really doesn't feel like it but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I’m a 100% disabled veteran. I wrote to my congressman and they got me expedited. I made sure to stress the importance and significance of my husband in my life. This was NOT consulate processing. Alhamdulliluh❤️🥰🥰

Hello everyone,

I was laid off in July while on an H-1B visa and timely filed a Change of Status (COS) to H-4 before my 60-day grace period ended. I currently only have the USCIS receipt notice for the H-4 COS application (status is pending).

Given this situation:

1. Is it safe to undertake domestic flights/travel within the U.S. right now?
2. Has anyone recently traveled domestically under this exact scenario (pending H-4 COS with an expired H-1B grace period)? What were your experiences at TSA checkpoints?

Any insights or recent personal experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hi all, I have an interview with USCIS coming up for aos. I have my recent and most recent expired passports, recent visas, both my husband and I ID he’s in school and the sole earner for our family currently while we wait. I also have many pictures and we’ve been together for three years. We met when we were in college and took a theatre class together. We both live at home for financial reasons but ofc we stay with whoever’s that week (he’s 24 I’m 22) I’m a little worried we don’t have the strongest evidence we haven’t had a wedding yet because my grandparents weren’t able to travel for health reasons and I wanted my grandfather to walk me down the aisle. A little background I’ve been here since I was 11. This is the first time I’ve been “out of status” I don’t have all my documents from back then and I guess I’m just getting nervous. Would love to hear any advice or your experiences!

Hello. I’m trying to file expedited request on my own. My appeal is at AAO’s office and been 6 months.
I saw that aao can receive inquiries through fax or mail. Couldn’t find anywhere if that applies to expedite requests as well.
I would appreciate your guidance. Thank you

Hi. Reached out to Emma after seeing an API update on my husbands 3 year marriage based green card anniversary yesterday. She gave the below. I’m wondering if anyone has experience on when to expect seeing an “interview was scheduled” change. TIA

“Your case is processing at the National Benefits Center. You have been placed in line to be scheduled for an interview, USCIS will notify you once you have been scheduled, there is not a time frame.”

Hii! Is it possible that we received our Approval 2024, with notice date of August 1, 2024 but our NVC Case Number starts with 2011… HELP PLEASE

Hello everyone! My husband (USC) and I were approved and we wanted to share our experience as we found it so helpful to hear of others experiences during our process.

We filed concurrently without a lawyer, the day after our wedding.

May 8th: We mailed our physical packet (i485, i130, i130a, i765, and additional evidence)
May 11th: USCIS processed our packet
May 15th: RFE Requested and biometrics scheduled
June 4th: Biometrics appointment LAS FO
September 18th: Interview Scheduled
October 23rd: Interview SLC FO
October 23rd: i130 Approved
October 27th: i485 Approved

The i765 never got beyond “USCIS is currently processing your case” but is now redundant.

We had a pretty straightforward case. No records, no illegal work history, minimal overstay while the application was being processed and the beneficiary is not from a banned country. Our RFE was regarding the affidavit of support, but was a non-issue after we replied with an explanation of how VA disability works.

I wanted to put our timeline out there and offer to answer any questions that might help someone else. We found this community very helpful for us as we went through so we’d like to pay it forward.

OUR TIMELINE FOR K1 VISA TO AOS ( without lawyer)
Beneficiary from Malaysia

1.December,28 2024- We submitted the visa application
2.January 2,2025-USCIS received our visa application
3.January 8,2025-USCIS sent my fiancee text message
4.January 13,2025-My fiancee received the copy of NOA1 in the mail
5.August 27,2025- USCIS approved our visa application (NOA2)
6.September 3,2025- my fiancee received the copy of NOA2 in the mail
7.October 10, 2025- USCIS sent our approved visa application to the DOS
8.September 26,2025- First public inquiry
9.October 17,2025-Second public inquiry
10.October 29,2025-Third public inquiry
11.October 31,2025-My fiancee received K1-FTP via email
12.October 31,2025- In transit (status)
13.November 4,2025-Ready (status)
14.November 6,2025-We fill out the DS-160 form and pay the visa fee
15.November 19,2025- Medical exam (done)/vaccination (Done)
16.December 9,2025-Interview with the embassy (Approved)
17.December 9,2025 -Appllication received
18.December 15,2025-Approved
19.December 17,2025-Issued
20.December 17,2025-Visa in hand
21.February 13,2026-Fly to the United States

AOS ( Adjustment of status) I-485
1.We sent the package to Uscis on-May 20 2026
2.Uscis Received the package on-May 22 2026
3.Uscis text me and email me as well on - May 27 2026
4.Received receipt from Uscis (NOA1)- June 2 2026
5.Biometric appointment scheduled by USCIS- May 29 2026
6.Interview scheduled- September,10 2026
7.Interview Date- October 16 2026
8.Case Approved-October 17 2026
9.Card was produced-October 21 2026
10.Received my GC-October 26 2026
11.Received my SSN without restrictions-October 26 2026

Good Luck Everyone!

Hello everyone! My wife and I started the spouse visa route in January 2026. Obviously I’m still waiting to hear back and I’m not expecting anything until the 1 year mark minimum. My wife lives in Ciudad Juarez and I live in Houston. We had our first baby in August and he was also born in Juarez but as most of you know for kids it’s pretty fast. We made the appointment the first week of October, second week of October we go to the consulate and he’s a citizen just like that. For any of you who are in the same boat as me but that applied in 2025, whats it looking like? How far along are you? I just want to know about different experiences. Thanks!!

Hi everyone!

I have a pending F-1 visa application that’s been stuck in AP since march 2025. Last month I finally got tired of waisting my time and decided to file WoM with a lawyer. All defendants were served Oct 25th and we tried the venue in Massachusetts. Has anyone had recent experiences with Mandamus lawsuits ? how fast do they tend to take actions ? What are the chances they don’t ask for a transfer to Washington DC (my lawyer told me it would be a huge disadvantage) ? What is the usual timeline of action for visas in particular ?

I’m asking about my mom’s case to see if anyone is in a similar situation or has had a similar timeline.
Her I-130 has been approved, and we filed her I-485 in December 2025 through family-based adjustment of status as an immediate relative. She received her Employment Authorization Document about a month ago, but there have been no updates on her I-485.
I know every case is different, but I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar.
How long did you wait for your I-485 approval after receiving your EAD?
Is it normal to have no updates on the I-485 while the EAD has already been approved?
Has anyone with a similar timeline received their green card recently?

This was a J to H COS for physician, hospital sponsored. Had some hiccups with RFEs and biometrics. But alls well that ends well.

I recently sent USCIS a polite email asking for review/adjudication of my long-pending marriage-based case. I explained that the interview has already been completed, we have tried normal administrative channels, and that if the delay continues we may have to consider other lawful remedies such as a WOM/APA action.
It has been 3 days and I haven’t received any response yet.
Has anyone done something similar before filing mandamus? Did USCIS respond or take action after receiving the email, or did it make no difference? How long did you wait before moving forward with the lawsuit?
For your own situation, 3 days without a response is not surprising. I would not interpret the silence as either good or bad. The main value of the email may be documenting that you made another reasonable attempt to resolve the delay before litigation, rather than expecting USCIS to act immediately because of it.

I was born a U.S. citizen and I sent in an I-130 to allow my wife to migrate to the USA (consular processing.) I moved abroad to be with her; however, I kept my U.S. mailing address. I was told by USCIS that it is "strongly encouraged" that I change my physical address, but it is not necessary. I only need to keep my mailing address current, but my spouse should keep her address permanent.

Since there is no option to change physical address and mailing address separately, I elected not to do it. The country I am living in has no door-to-door mail services at any rate, I would need to use a post box if I want to get mail here which is not allowed in USCIS forms. Now I'm told that I needed to change my physical address within 30 days. I'm well outside that timeframe.

What should I do? How do I go about changing the physical address without changing the mailing address? The online tool only has one option for both, and I cannot receive mail in this country. Since I missed the 30 day timeline, will this affect my I-130?

EDIT: for grammatical error.

Submitted: June 11 2026
Interview: Oct 20 2026
Approval: Oct 21 2026
Card produced: Oct 26 2026
Location: Fairfax, VA

Interview was short and sweet. Only asked us about how we met, our proposal and wedding. The entire interview process took about 20 minutes.

My affirmative asylum (I-589) application is currently showing “Next Step Is Adjudication” dated April 15, 2026, under USCIS Case History.

I’ve noticed that many applicants reported this status change around September 29–30, 2026. However, my Case History shows April 15, which is several months earlier.

I’m not sure whether USCIS actually updated my case in April or retroactively changed the wording of an older status.

Has anyone else experienced something similar?

Does anyone have an adjudication status dated April 2026 or earlier?

Did your Case History show an earlier date even though you first noticed the change in September or October?

Has anyone with an earlier adjudication date subsequently received an interview notice, approval, or referral to immigration court?

My application is still pending, and I haven’t received an interview notice.

Would appreciate hearing your experiences and timelines, especially if you can share the exact date shown in your Case History.

Thanks!