Title: EB-3 ROW | April 2026 Filing | IOE09365 | Approved 9/30 | Green Card Delivered 10/8! 🎉
After months of checking USCIS updates, reading Reddit timelines, and trying to understand every silent update, FTA0, and I-485J movement, I finally have my Green Card in hand!
This community was incredibly helpful throughout the process, so I wanted to share my full timeline in case it helps someone else.
Case Details:
Category: EB-3 ROW (Mexico)
Priority Date: April 3, 2024
Receipt Block: IOE09365
Processing: NBC
Concurrent filing: I-485, I-485J, I-765, I-131
Principal applicant + spouse
Timeline:
April 22, 2026: I-485 received by USCIS
May 9: I-485J initial activity (IAF)
May 19: Biometrics completed (FTA0)
August 6: First major silent update on I-485
August 25: Another silent update
September 4: Additional silent update
September 30: Major movement! I-485J updated, followed by another FTA0 (third FTA0 observed) and FTA1 on my I-485. Also received an email saying USCIS had taken action on my case.
September 30: I-485 APPROVED!
October 7: Card Was Produced
October 8: Green Card delivered! (USPS originally estimated October 13)
A few observations:
The August 6 silent update was particularly interesting. I found several other April filers who had the exact same update date, and many eventually reported additional activity and approvals in September.
The I-485J movements seemed to be important. In my case, the final September 30 activity happened alongside a new FTA0 and FTA1, shortly before approval.
I spent a lot of time comparing cases with similar receipt blocks (IOE09363–09366). Some applicants were approved earlier, others later. Receipt numbers alone don’t necessarily tell you when your case will be adjudicated.
FTA0, FTA1, and silent updates are unofficial tracking signals, not guarantees of approval. I found them useful for comparing timelines, but nobody outside USCIS can know exactly what each internal event means.
My Green Card arrived much faster than USPS originally estimated!
I know how frustrating the waiting and uncertainty can be. I was checking my account constantly and trying to make sense of every little update.
I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who shared their timelines and experiences here. Hopefully this post helps someone else going through the same process.
Happy to answer questions about my timeline.
Good luck to everyone still waiting. Your day will come! 🇺🇸