The longer the processing time, the higher the anxiety and cortisol levels.

New article from USA Today.

USCIS did respond to USA Today saying they’re working on reducing the huge backlog for I-130 consular processing, but it’s a pretty vague response still.

This article covers the sudden approval drop, growing backlog, approval glitch and frustration a lot of us feel, so I’m sharing it here since it’s one of the first times the I-130 consular processing slowdown has been officially covered as an issue by a reputable news outlet.

**Edit: This is about I-130 consular processing, not adjustment of status. This pertains to spouses and immediate relatives outside the U.S. The wait time for consular recently went to 24 months on the USCIS website and people have been waiting for approvals for over 12 months just for step one of the green card process.

I do recognize immigration processing for almost everything has slowed down across the board and I have my fingers crossed for all of us who are in limbo.

🎉 APPROVED!!! 🇺🇸💚
Finally, it’s my turn! ❤️
I entered the USA on F-1 status 2022 and was on STEM OPT at the time of filing. I maintained my status throughout the process with no status violations and no unauthorized employment. 🙏
❤️** Our story**:
Met my husband in 2024, dated for almost two years, and got married on April 10, 2026. 💍❤️
I-485 APPROVED TODAY — September 1, 2026! 🎉🇺🇸🙏
📌 I-130 filed: May 28, 2026
📌 I-485 filed: June 2, 2026
📌 RFE for I-864 issued: June 5, 2026
📌 RFE response submitted: June 6, 2026
📌 Original biometrics appointment: June 26, 2026
📌 Biometrics rescheduled: June 12, 2026, for July 1 because the original location was too far
📌 Biometrics completed: July 1, 2026
📌 Interview scheduled: July 9, 2026
📌 Interview: August 5, 2026
📌 FTA1: Interview day
📌 Silent update: August 28,30,31 - 2026
📌 I-130 approved: August 30, 2026
📌 I-485 APPROVED: September 1, 2026 🎉🇺🇸
⏱️** Total time from I-485 filing to approval: 91 days**!
It was definitely an emotional journey with the RFE, biometrics rescheduling, interview, and all the silent updates. There were so many moments when I wondered what was happening behind the scenes, but finally…
APPROVED!!! ❤️🇺🇸🎉
Thank you to everyone in this group who answered my questions, shared your timelines, and kept me hopeful throughout this process. 🙏❤️
For everyone still waiting — YOUR TURN IS COMING! 🎉 Don’t lose hope! Keep believing and stay positive. 💚🇺🇸
Wishing everyone here an approval soon! 🇺🇸🙏❤️

NOTE - I filed everything online ( I 485/ I 130/ I 765/ I131)

Hello everyone,
I finally get to make one of these posts.
GREENED! 🎉🇺🇸
My I-485 has been approved, and my green card was produced on August 31, 2026. I am now waiting for the physical card to arrive in the mail.
I wanted to make this post as detailed as possible because I personally relied heavily on other applicants’ timelines while going through this process. Hopefully, this helps someone who is currently waiting or has a similar case.
For privacy and security reasons, I am not disclosing my specific Field Office. I respectfully ask that people please respect that.
CASE INFORMATION
Country of origin: Philippines
Basis of application: Marriage-based Adjustment of Status
Form: I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
Status adjusted from: F-1
F-1 history: Overstayed and did not renew F-1 status
I-130/I-485: Filed separately, not concurrently
EAD/I-765: Not filed
Advance Parole/I-131: Not filed
RFE: Affidavit of Support/Form I-864
Field Office: Not disclosed for privacy and security reasons
I originally entered the United States in F-1 status. I later overstayed my F-1 status and did not renew it.
My I-130 and I-485 were not filed concurrently. I filed the I-130 first and waited approximately four months before filing my I-485.
There was no complicated reason for the delay. Personally, I felt that I needed that time to make sure I fully understood what I was getting myself into before proceeding with Adjustment of Status. Marriage and the immigration process that follows are significant decisions, and I did not want to rush into filing simply because I was able to.
I wanted to be certain about my marriage, my decision, and the commitment I was making before moving forward with the I-485.
Looking back, I also felt that this came across during our interview. The officer seemed genuinely interested in understanding our relationship, our life together, and our plans for the future. I felt that being able to explain that we had taken our time and made a deliberate decision about our future came across positively.
Of course, I cannot know what the officer considered when adjudicating my case, so that is simply my personal impression and not something I am presenting as an immigration strategy or recommendation.

COMPLETE TIMELINE
April 6, 2026 — USCIS received my I-485 and issued my receipt notice.
April 11, 2026 — Biometrics appointment was scheduled.
April 11, 2026 — USCIS issued an RFE for my I-485 for the Affidavit of Support/Form I-864.
Biometrics — Completed. My interview was scheduled approximately two weeks after biometrics.
May 2, 2026 — Case status changed to:
“We are actively reviewing your Form I-485. Our records showed nothing is outstanding at this time.”
May 16, 2026 — USCIS received my RFE response.
May 26, 2026 — Interview was scheduled.
Thursday, August 20, 2026 — I-485 interview
August 25, 2026 — Case status changed to:
“We are currently processing your Form I-485. We do not currently need anything from you.”
That same day, I also received an email from USCIS stating that action had been taken on my case, but when I checked my USCIS account, there was no visible update showing what the action was.
I did not assume it meant an approval and did not try to interpret it. I simply left it alone.
August 26, 2026 — Approximately 24 hours later:
I-485 APPROVED! 🎉
August 31, 2026 —
CARD WAS PRODUCED! 🎉
From the date USCIS received my I-485 to the approval date was approximately 4 months and 20 days.
For those asking about the initial receipt, USCIS acknowledged my mailed I-485 approximately four days after mailing/delivery.

INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE
Our interview was on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
We were naturally nervous going into the interview because you hear so many different experiences about marriage-based adjustment interviews.
In our case, however, the experience was very positive.
The officer was professional, friendly, and very talkative. Once the interview started, the atmosphere became much more relaxed.
The officer went through the standard yes/no questions associated with the I-485 and also asked questions about our relationship, our life together, and our plans for the future.
Some of the subjects discussed included:
Our relationship
Our life together
Insurance/other insurance coverage
Our future plans
What we see ourselves doing approximately 10 years from now
The question about where we see ourselves in 10 years stood out to me because it did not feel like a simple checklist question. It felt like the officer was genuinely interested in understanding us as a couple and what we envisioned for our future.
Overall, the interview felt much more like a conversation than an interrogation.
We answered everything honestly and naturally.
There was no hostile or intimidating atmosphere during our interview.

IMPORTANT: CORRECTING MY I-485 ANSWER
I know several people will probably have questions about this, so I want to explain exactly what happened.
On my original I-485, I had inadvertently answered “No” to the question regarding unauthorized employment.
When the officer was about to begin going through the yes/no questions, I realized that I had made a mistake.
Before she even reached that particular question, I immediately stopped her and told her that I needed to correct something because I had gotten confused and wanted to make sure the information on my application was accurate.
I told her that the answer needed to be changed from “No” to “Yes.”
The officer acknowledged the correction and continued with the interview.
I was completely comfortable correcting it immediately because I wanted the information in my application and my answers during the interview to be accurate.
For me, the priority was making sure that an incorrect answer did not remain unaddressed when I knew it was incorrect.
I am including this because I know people can become extremely anxious about making mistakes on immigration forms. My personal approach was simple: if I realized something was incorrect, I wanted to disclose it and correct it immediately.
That said, my case is my case. This is not legal advice, and anyone with questions regarding unauthorized employment, an F-1 overstay, or their own eligibility should speak with a qualified immigration attorney.

RFE
My RFE was for the Affidavit of Support/Form I-864.
The RFE was issued on April 11, 2026, and USCIS received my response on May 16, 2026.
My interview was subsequently scheduled on May 26, 2026.

EAD / WORK AUTHORIZATION / ADVANCE PAROLE
I did not apply for work authorization.
I did not file an I-765/EAD application.
I also did not file an I-131 for Advance Parole.
My filing was limited to the I-485 Adjustment of Status process.

F-1 OVERSTAY
For those asking specifically about my status:
I was adjusting from F-1 status.
I had overstayed my F-1 status and did not renew it.
I am including this because I know applicants often compare their circumstances with other cases they see here.
However, please do not assume that my approval means another F-1 overstay case will have the same result. Immigration cases are fact-specific, and eligibility and potential immigration consequences depend on the complete circumstances of each individual case.

WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE INTERVIEW?
One thing I want to mention because I have seen many applicants become anxious about “silent updates”:
I did not constantly monitor my case for silent updates.
After the interview, I essentially let the case be.
I also knew of another applicant from the same Field Office with a similar case who was approved the day after their interview, while other applicants were still waiting.
That made it clear to me that even applicants with similar cases and the same Field Office can have very different processing times.
So I would not assume that someone else’s post-interview timeline will necessarily be yours.
In my case:
August 25 — Received an email saying USCIS had taken action, but no visible corresponding update appeared in my account.
Approximately 24 hours later — August 26 — I-485 was approved.
August 31 — Card was produced.
So the final sequence was:
August 25 — Action Taken Email
↓
August 26 — I-485 APPROVED
↓
August 31 — CARD WAS PRODUCED
Everything happened very quickly at the end.

How long do these mails usually take to arrive?

Hi fam! This forum has given me hope, information, peace of mind and so much more. I finally get to share my story and hope that it can help you feel better! Your moment is coming too!

I am Venezuelean, came in through the humanitarian parole program on October 23rd 2023.

I met my wife June 3rd 2024 and we married February 22nd 2025.

We filed early April 2025 with a Lawyer (she was incredible)
Biometrics middle of May
Radio silence until June 15th where we had our interview scheduled
August 11th interview
August 18th I130 approval
August 23rd i485 approval (conditional green card)
August 31st green card produced (expected arrival in 2 days)

Interview was long and very detail oriented, we we’re never separated and the guy congratulated us for having such a complete case. He told us we should get our green card within 3 - 6 weeks and I was skeptical because of all the horror stories from the Tampa F/O, but it came true!

I had no overstay and I had filed a small amount of time where I worked with no authorization because even though I had a valid work permit when I applied, they revoked it and it took a few months to get the new one. I had already applied for my new EAD by the time it was revoked.

I am thrilled and excited, thank you for your help Reddit. Your moment is coming. Pray and everything will happen the way god intended!

Hello just found out about how to find the API.
Would this be good news?

Hi. USCIS has my disposition that i got from police department i got arrested by.
I have 2 charges PUBLIC INTOXICATION, OPERATING VEHICLE WHILE USING A CELL PHONE.
BOTH OF THEM : Disposition: FORFEITURE.
Right after released from arrest, i paid their fine, $100 for PUBLIC INTOXICATION, $60 for CELL PHONE. ( I DID NOT NEED TO GO COURT BECAUSE I PAID THOSE FINES)

Now i have find another document INCIDENT REPORT included below;
UCR: DUI (90D)
OFFENDER CHARGES: PUBLIC INTOXICATION, OPERATING VEHICLE WITH CELL PHONE.
Narrative: Explanation of the incident.

I today went to police department and city court clerk told me only document they can give me is the DISPOSITION which is USCIS already has.

I dont know how im going to find and from where. What question i have to ask to find what i need to submit.

And the last part mention that ''The secondary evidence must clearly show the legal termination of all prior marriages for both parties and must be strong enough to make up for the lack of primary evidence ''

What does it have to do with this RFE ? This RFE is clearly for Arrest records, my wife had divorced before and USCIS already has her final divorce decree. and i-130 is approved already. I have no marriage before whatsoever.

On August 31, 2026, USCIS announced new editions of Forms I-864, I-864A, and I-864EZ, all with an edition date of 08/24/26.

✅ As of August 31, 2026, USCIS and the Department of State accept only the 08/24/26 editions of Forms I-864, I-864A, and I-864EZ.

✅ The 10/17/24 (old) editions are no longer accepted or processed if postmarked or electronically submitted on or after August 31, 2026. Importantly, there is no grace period for continued use of the previous editions.

✅ The new editions also include a privacy release authorizing USCIS and the Department of State to obtain information from one or more consumer reporting agencies.

📌 This means USCIS or the Department of State may obtain relevant consumer reporting information when evaluating the Affidavit of Support.

📌 A consumer reporting agency is an organization that collects and provides consumer report information, which may include information relating to a person’s credit history, financial obligations, and other financial activity.

✅ USCIS also warned that if a sponsor has placed a credit or security freeze on their consumer report, the agency may be unable to access information needed to assess the Form I-864. Sponsors should respond promptly to any request to release such a freeze.

✅ Sponsors, applicants, and practitioners should make sure they are using the correct 08/24/26 edition before submitting a case.

📌 If you are preparing an adjustment of status or immigrant visa case requiring an Affidavit of Support, do not rely on an older saved version of the form. Confirm the current edition before filing.

News article about consular processing couples. Its rough out here.

USCIS has slowed down on approving immigration applications for immediate relatives of US citizens in February 2026. No case is getting approved unless the filers start suing them.

Be aware that these beneficiaries live OUTSIDE the US. Which means its not AOS. USCIS has to approve i130 so our cases go to NVC. USCIS has the easiest and fastest stage which is determining bona fide of marriage.

Our average processing time went up to 24 months this month from 12.5 back in February.

Hi folks,

Based on your experience with USCIS under the current administration, has anyone here had an N-400 expedite request approved?

I think an expedite approval may not mean much nowadays but I’m wondering about real experiences in this year, 2026. If your N-400 expedite was approved, how long did it take before USCIS actually took the next action on your case, especially scheduling the interview?

After the expedite approval, my I-751 had a silent update on August 17 with no action, then on August 19 both my N-400 and I-751 showed FTA0 action. Does this mean USCIS is reviewing the cases internally, or does it mean nothing?

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who had an N-400 expedite approved recently in 2025 or 2026, especially if your case was handled by a field office.

We were approved this week and wanted to share some insights and details in case it’s helpful for people out there. Reading timelines calmed my anxiety so hope it does the same for others 😅

• F-1 student
• Married to a U.S. citizen
• Adjustment of Status through marriage
• Los Angeles

Timeline

Got married April, 2026.

• May 3rd, 2026 — I-130 + I-485 filed.
• June 1st- I had my biometrics appointment.
• I waited about 2 months after that for my Interview to be scheduled, and USCIS scheduled my interview for the last week of August. We went to the interview and everything went really well.
• Saw our approval for I-130 and I-485 the day after the interview

The officer was very personable but still professional. About a week prior we had updated a lot of evidence including photos, our joint lease, joint financial evidence and screenshots of our transactions over the past years. We also included statements from a joint loan we have together. Interview was about 40 minutes, we did wait about 2 hours in the waiting room to be called, but the interview itself went smooth. Our officer was really friendly and asked about 10 questions about our marriage, trips together, proposal and first dates. He asked me the standard I-485 questions, and said there were no red flags. He then told us we would see an update soon.

Hope this helps, happy to answer any questions and good luck to everyone!

Looking for anyone with a similar experience or timeline.

Timeline

• 12/11/2025: Filed concurrent I‑130, I‑485, and I‑765 (marriage-based AOS)
• 12/31/2025: Biometrics completed
• 02/20/2026: Interview completed at Cincinnati FO. My spouse was interviewed separately first, then I joined. The officer said everything looked good, but it might require supervisory approval.
• 05/14/2026: Internal FTA1 updates on both I‑130 and I‑485.
• 08/10/2026: I‑485 RFE issued regarding a CBP incident from Oct 2023 - CBP handled it as a $500 administrative penalty
• 08/14/2026: Initial RFE response submitted
• 08/21/2026: Supplemental RFE response submitted based on FOIA records.
• 09/01/2026: C09 EAD approved

Current Status

• ✅ I‑765 approved
• ⏳ I‑485 pending
• ⏳ I‑130 pending
• No NOID
• No second interview
• No additional RFEs

Questions

1. How long after EAD approval did your I‑485 get approved?
2. What to expect in the coming weeks/months?

Would appreciate hearing about any similar experiences or timelines.

I dreamt and daydreamed about this moment, the moment where it will be me sharing my happiness with the world after 18 month my i-130 got approved it was taugh times full of anexity i know how it feels to be in that dark moment i know if i say the words of the world it wont be enough for me to make you feel better about this wait times but i deeply hope everyone get to experince this happniess

Hi everyone!

Looking to connect with others who filed their N-400 in July or August 2026.

I thought it would be helpful to create a timeline thread so we can keep each other updated and get a better idea of current processing times.

Please share whatever you’re comfortable with:

• 📅 N-400 filing date:
• 💻 Filed online or by mail:
• 📍 Field office / location:
• 📬 Receipt notice date:
• 🧬 Biometrics: Reused / Completed / Waiting
• 📅 Biometrics date (if applicable):
• 📝 Interview scheduled: Yes / No
• 🇺🇸 Interview date (if completed):
• 🎉 Oath ceremony date (if completed):
• ⏱️ Total timeline (if completed):
• 💬 Any other updates or observations:

Please comment with your timeline below!

Hopefully we can keep this thread updated and help each other track the progress of our N-400 applications.

Good luck to everyone on their citizenship journey

Well guys.. I cannot believe it but I had my oath ceremony today. Thank you all from this sub for all your insights and sharing your experiences. May God bless us all!

FO: Sacramento CA

had an active DACA case prior to adjusting status

Sept 2020-Applied for GC
Nov 2020- Interview with USC spouse
Dec 2020 - Recieved 2 yr conditional GC
August 2023- applied for I751 under 3 year rule (removal of conditions) Recieved extension letter a few weeks after this
October 2024- applied for N400 *pregnant with our son during this time so sent that with our other evidence
*I did submit 2 congressman inquiries during this 2 year period. After my last inquiry in Jan 2026, 3 months after I received my combo interview notice.
May 2026- Combo interview for I751 & N400 *I751 approved the day after and recieved 10 yr GC,did not hear anything about N400 for 2.5 months.
Mid July 2026- recieved a phone call from the USCIS officer stating I needed to sign a form that we missed during the interview back in May so I went in the day after.
End of July 2026- same officer called back letting me know he scheduled me for an updated biometrics since my old set was to old and he needed new ones to process my application.
Beginning of August 2026- went in for new biometrics
August 31st 2026- Oath ceremony!

Feel free to ask any questions. I had a very straight forward case, no criminal record not even a speeding ticket.

Any experience in the Philadelphia field office? It is my local office.
Mine is an EB2 case that was transferred to a non-local field office but returned to Phialdelphia mid June. zero updates since. No RFE, no interview, no silent update no nothing.

If your case is in the Philly field office or was there then please share your experience

I’m currently working for my employer on H-1B status. My H-1B is valid for a couple more years, and I got my green card recently through marriage . Question is am I required to notify my employer/HR immediately and update my I-9 or immigration status with them?
I would prefer not to notify my employer right away due to personal reasons if there is no legal requirement to do so. Can I simply continue working and wait until my current H-1B/I-9 work authorization expiration date, when HR asks me to reverify my employment authorization?
For anyone who went from H-1B to a green card while staying with the same employer: did you notify HR immediately, or did you just wait until they contacted you for I-9 reverification?

Thanks!

Hi everyone! I’m looking for experiences from people who have been in a similar situation.
I previously had a pending affirmative asylum application. My asylum was never approved or granted.
Later, I obtained my Green Card through marriage to a U.S. citizen, completely independently from my asylum case. After becoming a permanent resident, my pending asylum case was withdrawn/closed.
I now need to renew my passport from my home country (Venezuela). I would be renewing it through a Venezuelan consulate outside Venezuela — I am NOT planning to travel to Venezuela.
My concern is about future naturalization (N-400).
Has anyone here had a similar timeline?
● Pending asylum (never granted)
● Marriage-based Green Card approved
● Asylum withdrawn/closed after becoming an LPR
● Renewed passport from the country you previously claimed fear of persecution from
● Later applied for U.S. citizenship/N-400
If so, did USCIS ask you about the passport renewal during your N-400 interview? Did it cause any issues with naturalization?
I’m specifically interested in first-hand experiences, especially from people whose asylum was only pending and whose Green Card came through marriage, not asylum.
Thank you!

I’m looking for experiences from people who have been in a similar situation.
I previously had a pending affirmative asylum application. My asylum was never approved or granted.
Later, I obtained my Green Card through marriage to a U.S. citizen, completely independently from my asylum case. After becoming a permanent resident, my pending asylum case was withdrawn/closed.
I now need to renew my passport from my home country (Venezuela). I would be renewing it through a Venezuelan consulate outside Venezuela — I am NOT planning to travel to Venezuela.
My concern is about future naturalization (N-400).
Has anyone here had a similar timeline?
Pending asylum (never granted)
Marriage-based Green Card approved
Asylum withdrawn/closed after becoming an LPR
Renewed passport from the country you previously claimed fear of persecution from
Later applied for U.S. citizenship/N-400
If so, did USCIS ask you about the passport renewal during your N-400 interview? Did it cause any issues with naturalization?
I’m specifically interested in first-hand experiences, especially from people whose asylum was only pending and whose Green Card came through marriage, not asylum.

I’m looking for experiences from people who have been in a similar situation.
I previously had a pending affirmative asylum application. My asylum was never approved or granted.
Later, I obtained my Green Card through marriage to a U.S. citizen, completely independently from my asylum case. After becoming a permanent resident, my pending asylum case was withdrawn/closed.
I now need to renew my passport from my home country (Venezuela). I would be renewing it through a Venezuelan consulate outside Venezuela — I am NOT planning to travel to Venezuela.
My concern is about future naturalization (N-400).
Has anyone here had a similar timeline?
Pending asylum (never granted)
Marriage-based Green Card approved
Asylum withdrawn/closed after becoming an LPR
Renewed passport from the country you previously claimed fear of persecution from
Later applied for U.S. citizenship/N-400
If so, did USCIS ask you about the passport renewal during your N-400 interview? Did it cause any issues with naturalization?
I’m specifically interested in first-hand experiences, especially from people whose asylum was only pending and whose Green Card came through marriage, not asylum.

I am finally applying for my citizenship. I have been a resident for almost 30 years. I have proof of my continuous residency for the past 5 years, travel logs, no detentions.

My only concern is that for the first 14 years of having my green card, I lived in my country of origin. I received my green card when I turned 1 year old. Would getting representation be necessary or can I go ahead and apply for it?

I went to high school and college here in the states. I never got a notice of abandonment either

Edit: location San Antonio Texas

Hello everyone,
I had my second interview August 2025, and since then I’ve been waiting without any updates. I entered the U.S. legally in 2019 and haven’t left the country since.

Has anyone experienced a similar long wait after their interview? If you’ve gone through something like this and found a way to get the case moving, I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience.

My wife is a U.S. citizen, and we have two children together. There’s nothing unusual or complicated about our case that I’m aware of. I’m wondering if my country of origin could be contributing to the delay, especially considering the current entry restrictions affecting certain countries.

I completely respect the process and understand that these things can take time. I know reaching out to my state representatives may also be an option, but so far I’ve held off because I don’t want to create unnecessary hassle.

Any insight or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

Hello everyone, I received an RFE notification for my I-130, but I don’t know what the RFE is requesting yet because I haven’t received the actual notice in the mail.

Does the RFE document normally appear in the Documents tab of the USCIS online account, or is it only sent by mail?

My second question is: I submitted my I-130, I-485, and I-765 together. When I check the Documents tab, I can see some scanned pages of the documents I submitted, but not the complete set—only a few pages.

What does this mean? Could those scanned pages be related to the RFE, or are they simply documents that USCIS scanned/uploaded as part of processing my case?

Thank you!