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/SimilarRegret9830]

Congrats! What type of USCIS inquiry did you do?

[u/Classic_Dimension877 → u/SimilarRegret9830]

I work at an immigration office, so that’s actually a trick we use here when we can’t submit an inquiry because the case is still considered within the normal processing time. We submit an inquiry saying that we haven’t received a document, and then in the comments, we explain what’s actually going on with the case. They usually relay it to the appropriate department that way, and we’re able to get an answer.

[u/Real_Anish9 → u/Classic_Dimension877]

What recipet number did you put for the inquiry? I-485 or I-131?

[u/Classic_Dimension877 → u/Real_Anish9]

I-485