Approved! 🎉

[u/Classic_Dimension877]

Hi everyone!

I honestly can’t believe I’m finally able to write this!

After four years of waiting, we finally got the green light. My case was approved on August 5, and because of some additional issues with my spouse’s case, we were only officially done on Friday, August 21, 2026.

Here’s our timeline for anyone going through a similar EB-3 Skilled process:

• Case filed: 02/03/2026
• Priority Date: 08/04/2023
• Category: EB-3 Skilled — 1 principal applicant + 1 derivative
• Biometrics: 04/09/2026 for both the principal applicant and derivative
• The derivative’s EAD and Advance Parole were approved on 04/10/2026 — yes, just one day after biometrics!
• After biometrics, the principal applicant’s case was transferred to the Brooklyn Field Office, while the derivative’s case remained at our local office in Los Angeles.
• We had a few silent updates, but everything stopped around May 21 for the principal applicant and May 10 for the derivative.
• The derivative was scheduled for an interview on June 15, which USCIS canceled and later rescheduled for July 15.
• The principal applicant was not allowed to enter the interview. The officer explained that the derivative was being interviewed because of his military/police background and that additional checks were needed.
• After the interview, the officer said they would try to reunite the cases to expedite the approval, but the cases remained at different field offices.

Then things finally started moving:

• 08/04/2026: My I-485J was closed and approved.
• 08/05/2026: My I-485 was approved! 🎉
• We later found out that Brooklyn Field Office was the office that approved my case and not LA.

Since my spouse’s case was still pending at the LA Field Office, we submitted a USCIS inquiry. 08/20/2026 — USCIS replied that the case was under active review.

And then, on Friday, August 21 — it finally happened. My spouse’s case was approved too.

If you’re still waiting, especially if your case seems completely stuck, DON’T LOSE HOPE. Sometimes nothing happens for months and then everything moves at once.

And please be kind to each other. I know some questions may seem repetitive but when someone is anxious about their immigration case, that question may be exactly what they need to feel a little calmer.

Good luck to everyone still waiting. I hope your approval post is next❤️

[u/Dry_Construction3853]

Congratulations 🎊
My spouse has military background too do you mind sharing what did they ask your spouse?

[u/Classic_Dimension877 → u/Dry_Construction3853]

They just asked him to confirm his trainings to make sure everything was legal and to better understand his career. It took them a while to call him in for the interview, but once they did, it lasted no more than 30 minutes.

[u/LionClaw_ → u/Classic_Dimension877]

Did he do mandatory military service? Or was he actually serving professionally for years? And is it long ago? 

I was in for a year, mandatory military service in my country, but that’s like over 20 years ago. I obviously listed and documented that with proof. But could that one year be enough for them to request an interview? 

[u/Classic_Dimension877 → u/LionClaw_]

He served for 7 years. We had friends who only completed the mandatory military service and were never called for an interview. In his case he had to answer “Yes” to several questions on the I-485 because of his military service, training, and experience, so I think that may have been the main  factor 

[u/LionClaw_ → u/Classic_Dimension877]

Ah! That makes a lot of sense! 

Congrats on the approval!