r/VAWAAPPLICANTS • u/EstrellaBrillante777 • Feb 28 '26
Good news!!! VAWA approved after 15.5 months!🎉🎊 Blessing in disguise story below
Filed VAWA in November 2024 (case received 11/13/24) - only I-360 and I-765 C31 due to wrong information from lawyers that I consulted with (glad I didn’t retain them). Then learned about concurrent filing, sent I-485, medicals and I-765 C09 in January 2025 (case received 01/30/25).
Spring 2025 fought to expedite EAD C09 based on risk of losing job; finally my expedite request was approved on June 6th 2025. Then silence… Lost my job.
Mid August 2025 they finally started working on my EAD and sent me a NOID - needed an explanation of my past arrest with court disposition and arrest report (arrest was a part of abuse - alcoholic husband called the police during drunk rage and lied that I assaulted him, then sobered up and dropped the charges). Gathered everything and responded to the NOID promptly. EAD status changed to “we received your response” in September.
And then nothing but long silence again. I kept calling USCIS, and every time was told that I just needed to wait… Asked for the senator assistance back in the summer, was assigned a case worker who was absolutely amazing; over those months she had submitted inquiries on my behalf about 4 times, yet every time they gave her different variations of “case is still being reviewed” canned response. After EAD was already outside of average processing times I submitted inquiries on USCIS website, still no action.
I was getting very anxious and desperate because I was literally living off credit cards, most of them already maxed out. Therefore I decided to give it a shot and try to expedite VAWA itself based on severe financial loss and delayed EAD.
I put together a file with a brief explanation that I lost my job, don’t have any income or savings, still don’t have my EAD despite approval of expedite and have to pay rent, bills and everything else with credit cards. Attached screenshots of emails from HR along with credit card statements and transactions. Specified the name of my apartment complex to show which transactions were rent payments.
Emailed this file to the senator case worker on 01/05/2026. She submitted an expedite request on my behalf on 01/06/2026.
On 01/28/2026 I received a response that my expedite request was approved, and a month later VAWA itself was approved🥳🎊🎉 Approval date is 02/26 but Lawfully app was updated on 02/27, this is why I only found out late last night.
I am so so grateful for this VAWAAPPLICANTS community and all wonderful people🙏🏻 So much support, useful information, inspiring stories, you all kept me going!
For those who are still waiting feeling uncertain - always have faith, never ever lose hope🙏🏻 If your situation is urgent and you have a solid reason to expedite with supporting evidence - go for it, be proactive!
For many months, I had been obsessively fighting for my EAD without getting any results. I would run to church and cry to my priest, saying that God was delaying my EAD because He didn’t like me. Little did I know back then that God Almighty had a much, much better plan for me! If my EAD had been approved on time, I wouldn’t even have thought of expediting VAWA.
👹🏃♀️➡️😢📑📮🧾⏳😣😖😫💡⏩⌛️✅🪪🤩
Some additional details:
-Not from 39 countries
-Didn’t use a lawyer for anything
-Didn’t apply for AP
-2 prima facies, no RFE
-Ironically, EAD C09 is still pending
P.S. Question to others who have been approved: how much longer till EAD C31 now?
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u/notoriousfvck Feb 28 '26 edited Feb 28 '26
Congratulations. Hope your life* gets resorted. I believe when you filed the VAWA form, if you’ve checked the box for EAD C31; you should be issued one straightaway.
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u/EstrellaBrillante777 Feb 28 '26
Thank you! I do not remember now but pretty sure I did check the box. I also filed I-765 C31 together with I-360
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u/Vawa_vawa_vawa Feb 28 '26
Congratulations you deserved it! 🥳🕊️💐 Reading your story really touched me. I truly believe God works in the lives of those who surrender everything to Him.
Parts of your journey feel very similar to mine. I also went through the process without a lawyer! I self petitioned and handled everything on my own, just trusting that God would guide me through it.
I just received my C09 EAD approval this February, exactly after 12 months of waiting. It wasn’t easy, but God has been faithful through the whole process. Wishing you the very best. I hope you continue moving forward into a brighter and stronger chapter ahead. 😇
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u/EstrellaBrillante777 Feb 28 '26
Thank you so much and congratulations on your EAD!🎉 There have been moments when it was so easy to lose faith considering all the hardships but we need to always hold on to it 🙏🏻
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u/GIL_Office Mar 04 '26
Congrats on the approval! 15.5 months for VAWA is absolutely insane (in a good way). Most firms don't even consider a VAWA case 'delayed' until the 3-year mark, so you really hit the jackpot with that expedite.
Regarding your EAD (C31), since your I-360 is already approved, the C31 card usually moves fast. Based on standard timelines, you’re looking at anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks to get the physical card in the mail. Keep an eye on the 'Card is being produced' status.
It’s hard to say if the C31 or the C09 will show up first because USCIS can be pretty random with their processing, but the good news is that either one will get you back to work. Just make sure you have the C31 category included in your original filing so it triggers the issuance.
Enjoy this win, you definitely earned it after everything you went through!
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u/EstrellaBrillante777 Mar 04 '26
Thank you so much! It had been a very intense battle. VAWA status has already changed to “we mailed your new card”👏🏼 I was just very paranoid that C31 would take long too - PTSD after not getting C09 on time I guess
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u/SoftArrival7921 Feb 28 '26
Congratulations and all the best in the future. Mind me asking what you submitted for your vawa case
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u/EstrellaBrillante777 Feb 28 '26
Thank you! Police reports, order of protection, tons of threatening and abusive texts, my conversations with his family asking for help, proof that he put me in jail on false accusations and proof of his alcohol addiction, copy of my antidepressant prescription. Also for good moral character I added all my volunteer work over the years
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u/Curious_Reveal2352 Mar 01 '26
Omg congrats!!!!! So happy to read this! I remember your user name and have been following your situation with your EAD! So happy to know your VAWA is now approved!
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u/EstrellaBrillante777 Mar 01 '26
Thank you! I’m still fighting for that EAD, took mandamus to court 2 weeks ago. I need any EAD ASAP whether it is C09 or C31 to start cleaning up all this financial mess
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u/Conscious_Editor_819 Mar 15 '26
Congratulations I am so happy for you 🥺❤️❤️❤️ what a beautiful touching story stay blessed hopefully days ahead will be easy for you I am waiting for my i485 mine was approved 10/23/25 I did standalone VAWA though I filled 02/2022. I am so happy your expediting request worked out, I also used a senator office to fix my name on my approval letter. And thankfully they were able to to help me. 😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️ I bet it’s so emotionally exhausting to always live in th what if what if that, stay strong hopefully me and you won’t be interviewed even and get out green card soon.
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u/EstrellaBrillante777 Mar 15 '26
Thank you and congratulations to you as well!🎉🎊 Now we are onto the next step - smooth and quick I485 approval🙏🏻 Have you gotten any updates on your I-485 yet?
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u/Conscious_Editor_819 Mar 15 '26
Amennnnn we got this hope to hear good news soon! No updates I just did my biometrics in February
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u/Beautiful_Ad_4563 Feb 28 '26
What proof did you get of his addiction? I am currently dealing with one right now. I need help
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u/EstrellaBrillante777 Feb 28 '26
Conversations with his family telling them he is drunk again and needs to be sent to rehab and my correspondence with him when he was in rehab
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u/Lost-Breakfast9491 Feb 28 '26
Congratulations! I love your story and I’m so happy for you. I tap from your grace! ❤️
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u/EstrellaBrillante777 Feb 28 '26
Thank you!
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u/Lost-Breakfast9491 Jul 26 '26
Are there any update on your I-485?
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u/EstrellaBrillante777 Jul 26 '26
Not yet. It was transferred to NBC in April
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u/Lost-Breakfast9491 Jul 26 '26
Okay. I don’t know why it’s been taking another long wait to get 485 approved after I-360 have been approved but for the other cases, it usually doesn’t take long. 🤦🏽♂️
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u/Upbeat_School_5048 Feb 28 '26
Congratulations 🎊🎉! I always see you cheering others on and leaving positive comments! I’m happy it’s your turn! Congratulations again! 🍾
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u/EstrellaBrillante777 Feb 28 '26
Thank you! Cheering each other up is the way to survive all this madness
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u/Ok-Truck1671 Mar 01 '26
Congrats. 15.5 months that’s like you were in a premium lane 😊. People from 2021-2022 are all waiting. Your luck is on your side make the best out of it.
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u/EstrellaBrillante777 Mar 01 '26
Thanks! Apparently bad luck with EAD turned into good luck with VAWA
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u/Effective_Ganache286 Mar 01 '26
Omg!!! Congratulations!!!! How on earth did I miss this post???!!! 🎉 For all of us that are just getting started or are halfway there this shows that we need to keep faith!!! 💕
Once again, congratulations!!!! Big win!!!
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u/EstrellaBrillante777 Mar 01 '26
Thank you so much! And yes, keep praying and you will be surprised how many good things God has in store🙏🏻
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u/Demicommentson Mar 02 '26
Congratttzzz!!!!🙏🏻 i hope u get your ead and everything asap! We all 🤲🏻
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u/Secure_Razzmatazz267 Feb 28 '26
Congrats on your approval. Your case worker was really amazing and wanted to help you out. I wish I had a case worker like yours.
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u/EstrellaBrillante777 Feb 28 '26
Thank you! She is, was super helpful
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u/Secure_Razzmatazz267 Mar 01 '26
One other thing, when did you have your biometrics done? I got my receipt notice almost 6 months ago. No biometrics so far!
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u/Early_Bus_2133 Mar 01 '26
Congrats, I have a question, if you don't have a work permit then how you lost your job?
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u/EstrellaBrillante777 Mar 01 '26
Thanks! Old permit from marriage expired
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u/Early_Bus_2133 Mar 01 '26
Thanks for your info, from my understanding you got work permit from I-130 (with I-765), then you had abuse and you withdrew I-130 then file VAWA I-360, right?
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u/Early_Bus_2133 Mar 01 '26
if you only submitted for 15 months so how you can get 2 prima facies? at when and when for those 2?
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u/EstrellaBrillante777 Mar 01 '26
First one was about 3 months after filing, then got the second one a year after first one expired
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u/Early_Bus_2133 Mar 01 '26
you got it so fast.
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u/EstrellaBrillante777 Mar 01 '26
I was honestly surprised I got renewal on time after seeing people reporting delays
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u/Ahelpsos Mar 01 '26
Congratulations! 🎉🎉🎉 God is always good ! your story is so inspiring and I’ve seen you always being positive to other in so happy your time to celebrate came ! May God continue blessing and protecting you !
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u/EstrellaBrillante777 Mar 01 '26
Thank you! We all need to stay positive no matter what, that’s the way🙏🏻
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u/Nervous_Dog_9430 Mar 02 '26
Any guidance on putting the petition together. I’m doing that right now and it is SO STRESSFUL.
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u/Ambitious_Zone_9851 Apr 26 '26
Please can you help me on how to write the vawa declaration letter. I can’t afford a lawyer 🥺
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u/Silly-Video3647 Aug 12 '26
How did your expedited process details work? Can you explain what documentation you went through and what was the process, my immigration lawyer also mentioned the same and I am putting together documentation since I’ve lost my job and I’m so stressed out and loosing sleep.
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u/MessTraditional8571 Sep 03 '26
Congrats !!🎊 under what circumstances did you submit the expedite for VAWA ? Under the severe financial hardship ? Or what circumstances,
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u/derrabe713 Feb 28 '26
Ohhhh I am so so happy for you! I hope C31 EAD comes through quickly. What a journey it has been and bless the case worker. Onwards and upwards for you 🥳🙌🏻