/r/USCIS FAQs

I130 + I130A sent online April 2024 I485 package sent via mail June 2024 Interview May 2025/ RFE Sept 2025 (asked for signatures of interview question responses which I remember signing them, but officer mentioned system was slow so maybe the signatures didn’t got saved)

We just got approved today! I wasn’t expecting it so quickly after our interview; it feels surreal. I came to the US on an F1 visa more than 10 years ago, currently on H1B, and married my husband (USC) earlier this year.

Had unauthorized work, otherwise relatively straightforward case. The I-765 and I-131 were never approved.

Our case officer said they were filling in for our original officer, but still knew our case well. They were friendly and made a lot of small talk the whole time. Interview was 30-40 minutes, with a lot of waiting for the computer system. We were asked basic questions about our relationship timeline, we shared our updated marriage evidence since our original submission, and was also asked to pick 1 photo each that convinces the officer the marriage is real (we both picked stuff from our phones). They asked a few questions from the I 485 and my unauthorized work as well.

Application for I-130, I-485, I-765 and I-131 submitted: April 8, 2026
RFE: April 29, 2026
Biometrics appointment notice: May 29, 2026
Biometrics appointment: June 16, 2026
Interview notice: September 11, 2026
Interview: October 16, 2026
I-485 approved: October 17, 2026

Thank you to this sub, I learned a lot through the journey.

Edit: FO was San Antonio. Case officer also said all cases now have to go thru supervisor for final approval.

For those who haven't seen one of these before, I'm an immigration attorney who previously served as an Asylum Officer with DHS/USCIS and clerked for ICE's Office of Chief Counsel, so I've seen these cases from inside the agency as well as from private practice. Today is focused on one thing: cases that are stuck, and how expedite requests and other tools actually work right now.

How these AMAs work:

This is meant to be general information, not a substitute for a consultation or legal advice specific to your situation. I do these because I find it valuable to stay plugged into what's actually happening on the ground, and I like being able to help people get pointed in the right direction.

That said, I get a lot of people who understandably want to share their specific situation here in the comments. My suggestion: DO NOT DO THAT. Once you start laying out detailed, specific facts about your case publicly, you're often past the point of general information, which means I cannot and will not go down that path. It also means those details are sitting in public on Reddit permanently, which usually isn't in your interest. If that's where you're at, feel free to DM me instead of posting the details publicly, and I can possibly set up time to actually talk through your situation properly. But again, these AMAs are for general information purposes.

What we're focusing on today:

1. Who actually qualifies for an expedite. USCIS currently lists four grounds: severe financial loss, urgent humanitarian reasons, compelling U.S. government interests, and clear USCIS error. What each one means in practice, the common reasons that don't qualify, and why cases eligible for premium processing can't be expedited at all.

2. Work permit gaps. Automatic extensions ended for EAD renewals filed on or after October 30, 2025, and a lot of people are now facing gaps and losing jobs. Why "I need my work permit" isn't enough on its own, and what can make the case for an expedite.

3. What moves an officer. The documentation that makes an expedite request work, how to make the request, and what to expect after you ask.

4. Other ways to move a stuck case. Case inquiries for cases outside normal processing times, congressional inquiries, and when a lawsuit becomes part of the conversation.

5. When waiting is the better choice. Sometimes asking USCIS to look at your file sooner isn't in your interest. How to tell the difference.

Most useful questions include your form type, your receipt date, and what's making the wait a problem. This helps me give you a better, more on-point answer.

I'll be live today, Saturday 10/17, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET, possibly checking in on questions throughout the rest of the evening as well.

Drop your questions below.

Nothing shared here is legal advice and doesn't create an attorney-client relationship. If you're up against a deadline or would rather discuss your specific situation privately, feel free to send me a DM.

GOSH GOD FORBID SOMEONE FINDS LOVE IN A DIFFERENT COUNTRY AND WANTS TO STAY IN THE USA WITH THEIR PERSON 😭

I genuinely don’t understand why people get so pressed about this. Like, sorry someone fell in love with an American and wants to build a life with them? Why is that such a problem for some people? It’s actually so annoying seeing how judgmental people can be about it.
I hope some of you find love with someone from another country one day and end up wanting to move to their country to be with them, or have them move to yours, so you can understand how it feels. Because I swear, some of you act like the USA is such an amazing place that nobody would ever have a reason to leave, yet get mad when someone from somewhere else actually wants to live here.
Like, let people fall in love and live their lives. Not everything is some big immigration conspiracy. Some people genuinely just meet someone, fall in love, and want to be together. Why is that so hard to understand?

Ok looking for opinions. I know you guys are not attorneys but it’s good to hear what you think. Will eventually consult with a lawyer and update you in due time.

Ok asking for “a friend “

N400 filed Nov 2025
Interview Oct 2026
During interview . Officer asked if friend owe any taxes, friend said no. Then she mentioned something vague about 2024 taxes. Wanting to see something from IRS
RFE for taxes ( not received yet so don’t know specifics yet )
Taxes filed with extension 2024, ended up owing money, paid in full 6/2025
Taxes filed with extension 2025, ended up owing taxes, paid in full 10/7 one day before interview.

Could “the friend “ get denied because of that ?
Thanks for your input .

Hey guys, me and my spouse got our interview scheduled for August 14th and everything went very well. On August 20th they approved the I-130, but the I-485 is still pending. Do you know what is the timeline for decision or we just need to wait?

My wife received a Green Card earlier January. We plan to travel to Spain in November for a wedding (3 days). Her Spanish passport expires in April 2027 (5 months from our US re-entry date).

We visited the Spanish embassy and they said she would be denied re-entry, though everything we search online says Green Card holders won't be blocked even if they have a passport expiring in less than 6 months.

Can anyone advise? We're considering trying to renew her passport in Spain while we are there is this is the case.

Daca recipient 🤍🦋

Nationality: Mexico 🇲🇽

Lawyer used only for application not for Interview

Married: Nov 2024

Submit date: Aug 31, 2026

Biometrics appointment sent: Sep 5, 2026

Biometrics taken: Sep 25, 2026

Interview appointment sent: Sep 30, 2026

Interview: Oct 14, 2026

@ Los Angeles FO

I-130 & 485 approved Oct 16, 2026

Our lawyer said this was his fastest case approval hes ever had so we are very blessed and grateful 🙏

We were so worried about the Interview but were a bit relieved when we saw that everyone was so kind there. Our officer was the best and eased our nerves so much. We brought extra photos + printed our joint health/ 401k / triple A membership benefits as we dont have joint bank accounts + notarized letter of rent payments. She didnt really asked questions about our marriage because she said our story already appear genuine by all the documents we submitted with our application. She asked the Yes & No questions and we joked around about my name as its unique. She mentioned that she would be reviewing the rest of the additional evidence and would get an update by the end of this week. Interview around 20-30mins.

Hi everyone. Maybe this is a dumb question, but I filed my marriage based I-485 online Thursday night, and it still being “processed”. Is it normal for it to take these many days? Or does it mean it will get rejected? I had no issues with my payment or uploading all my evidence into the application, and I double checked and everything is complete and properly filed.

Has this happened to anyone else? Thank you.

INDIANAPOLIS - Had a notario file for us thinking she was a lawyer. Luckily shes also a fuck up and forgot the g-1650. It was sent back to us are we able to simply print out and fill out the forms that had her name and send it back in or should we start over and just fill out online what we can and mail the rest.

Also if anyone knows any good civil suit lawyers that would be great. She said we have to "deal with the consequences" when I told her to send back the documents so we can triple verify things and I took it as a threat and fully intend on at the very least getting her arrested for upl and theft by fraud over mail and have already submitted a complaint to the OIG

My spouse (petitioner) is currently has a civilian job but he enlisted in army(active duty) and already signed the contract, however he only has to report to his new duty station first week of November while we are planning to send the petition now. should we still include that on the form under “Employer 1 and Employer 2”?

Should we say yes to “12. I am currently on active duty in the United States Armed Forces or U.S. Coast Guard.”?

I mailed my I-485 and I-765 applications to USCIS on October 6, 2026, and received email receipt confirmations on October 13, 2026. I received the paper receipt notices in the mail today, but neither notice included an Online Account Access Code.

I have a few questions:

1. Is the Online Account Access Code usually mailed separately from the receipt notices?
2. While waiting for the code, can I track my cases or receive updates about scheduled appointments, such as biometrics, through another method?
3. How long should I wait before requesting a new access code from USCIS?

I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has recently gone through this process. Thank you!

USCIS asks the petitioner to provide the adjusted gross income for the past 3 years. However my spouse did not file his 2024 taxes. Should I then provide it for 2025 and 2023 only? Or include 2022?

Hi! I’m thinking about how to organize my evidence when I submit it online. Since I will upload documents I already uploaded on my first application, should I make a pdf with everything in one place and name it something like “evidence from beginning of relationship (2022) until conditional green card application” and then another pdf with all our new evidence we collected after my green card was approved?

Thanks!

Also what year did you apply

My husband recently applied for his first US passport, they took his original naturalization certificate and we have a green card interview on Nov. 6 which they require that as well. What are our options? Will a copy of the certificate suffice just incase he doesn’t get it back on time. He did apply for expedited. I’m just seeing what our options are.

Hi ,
I have an inquiry about the I-140 timeline . My I-140 was filed (EB3-skilled) and my PD is Dec 2024. It’s frustrating that I haven’t heard anything from uscis . When I track , it says that it was last updated on Jan 6,2025 saying that the case is currently processing the case. Since it will be almost 2 years in this Dec. Anyone going through a same phase??

DACA RECIPIENT…NO criminal record,NO LAWYER, straightforward case,i married a US citizen❤️
Hugeee thanks to my tresleches reddit friend. You inspired me to pursue my forms and be positive🙏🏼

I am from Mexico
Married to a US citizen
We been dating since November 2021
DACA GIRL SINCE 2015
Advance parole Dec 2025
i only file forms i130,i130A,i864,i485 with my medical exam.

• married 5/14/26
• Certificate of marriage 7/20/26
• Medical exam 8/20/26
• File AOS 9/1/26
• Receipt # 9/3/26
• Bio receipt 9/11/26
• Bio reschedule from 10/2/26 to 9/15/26
• Interview was scheduled Sep/29/2026
• Interview happen 10/14/2026 at 9am
• Interview office Los Angeles
• i130 approved 10/15/2026
• I485 approved 10/16/2026

Hiii my beautiful Reddit family… i come to share my journey,story or experience with you….whatever you wanna call it.

I been dating my love for five years in November 2026 is our 5 year anniversary.
we dated forever. Never thought we would be getting married,until April 2026, drunk talking we said “lets run away and get marry”…” i said you are not down”….next thing you know we submitted for a marriage certificate, set up a date….and run away and eloped…infront of beautiful strangers clapping for us. We didn’t tell no body.
Im the type of person “que asta que no te pase,no cuentes”….not everyone is happy for you….From the moment we got married until the interview happened i was gathering as much evidence as i could…
What i submitted with my AOS FORMS
For evidence
bank statements with both names account open on 4/2/2026
life insurance, my husband is the beneficiary
his tax transcripts 2023,2024,2025 file to our sharing address
Our car lease both names
Timeshare both names
Copies of bills for him and I to our sharing address
Copies of plane tickets of two trips we took together
Wyze and ring cam pictures of us leaving and coming home, or just us hanging out at home with our cats
Picture of us, hanging out with family and friends

Nooo, we donnot have
•joint lease
•no car insurance together
•no bills under both names

The interview was super chillll, the officer came up to us, and said hi “luis” and “ michelle” how are you this morning? We looked at him 🧐🧐 do we know you? He said oh im interviewing you today….we were like “oohhh hi” we got all excited like puppies and smiles, we followed him, we asked ( how did you knew who we were? ) officer replied ( i study your case before coming to get you, and since you provide a lot of pictures i was able to recognize you guys)…
We were like ( we thought we owed you money or something,because you came directly to us, while all the other officers are yelling names )
We all laughed and i think that’s when i knew the interview was about to go more easy, i was super prepared, thick@$$ folder with more evidence and anything he need it “two copies” of everything.

This officer started with the i130 interview first, his questions were more normal
“He asked my husband what makes you love her” or why her? “ my husband replied:” because even when she’s mad at me she still feeds me and makes sure to take care of me and always have food for me after a long shift”…and well she is my best friend.
Then we chatted a lot more, about food, and long hrs shift…all smiles and laugh…
He said “ your i130 is been sent to my supervisor so he can approve it NOW”

Then he went to me with questions”i485”…he said is the normal question you already answered on the i485, i answered yes or no, then he printed out a paper i signed. Then after He asked us ( if we travel anywhere this summer? ) we said no because summer is a busy season for us.) ( he asked me what made me love my husband?, i replied i have a big ego when it comes to asking for help…but luis always knows when i need help and helps me with out me asking) ( thats my love language 🥰) he is just a good Person not just to me but everyone around him)….he gave me a white paper to take with us. He said everything looks great from his part, we don’t need extra evidence or more paper work. You have uploaded a lot in the portal already. ( the officer did say he never dies anyone unless they look off)…but anywayssss, before showing up to my interview i made sure to up load as much as i could to the portal.

Also: on our way to our INTERVIEW i was praying and talking to god, i even prayed the salmon 121 and salmon 37…i asked for a sign…i kid you not ( my husband yelled LOOK JESUS LOVES YOU, and i said what?…and i looked up and there it was a big sign that said ( JESUS LOVES YOU )… i was super happy and more relaxed. The sign is literally getting off on mapple st. Yes i do believe in jesus a lot. And i put god first in all my projects, is all i have left from my Grandparents.

Praying for everyones forms to be approved asap🙏🏼

Hi everyone! 😊

I wanted to share my AOS timeline since reading everyone else’s experiences here on Reddit has helped me so much throughout this process.

Receipt Date (RD): July 10, 2026
Biometrics Appointment: August 5, 2026
Interview Scheduled Notification: October 16, 2026
Interview Date: November 5, 2026

I’m excited but also a little nervous about the interview! If anyone has already gone through a marriage-based AOS interview, I’d really appreciate any tips or advice on what to expect and how to prepare.

I’m helping my sister file these forms together (I-90 for her green card and N-600 for my niece’s certificate).

USCIS requires both I-90 and N-600 to be sent to the same address in Tempe, AZ, just different box number.

Is it possible to file these forms together? If so, where should we mail them to?