EB-2 NIW I-485 APPROVED , Premium Processing, Two RFEs & Interview
EB-2 NIW I-485 APPROVED 🎉 Premium Processing, Two RFEs & Interview
I wanted to share my EB-2 NIW journey because reading other people's experiences helped me a lot throughout this process.
This was a long and difficult journey, especially because I received RFEs at both the I-140 and I-485 stages. Every RFE brought more waiting, more documents, and more uncertainty. There were stressful moments, but in the end, all the preparation and patience were worth it.
My case was based on a proposed endeavor related to tax administration and financial management.
My Timeline
Priority Date: September 9, 2024
I-140 RFE: October 30, 2024
I-140 RFE Response: Nov 04, 2024
I-140 Approved: December 16, 2024
I-485 Filed: January 7, 2026
I-485 RFE: April 24, 2026
I-485 RFE Response: May 7, 2026
I-485 Interview Scheduled: July 8, 2026
I-485 Interview: August 10, 2026
I-485: Approved (Next day) (August 11,2026)
My I-140 was filed with Premium Processing, I received an RFE on October 30, 2024. The RFE challenged (Prong 1 and Prong 3 of the NIW requirements). We prepared a comprehensive response with supporting evidence, and thankfully, USCIS accepted the response and approved my I-140.
Then Came Another RFE, This Time for My I-485
I thought the hardest part was behind me after the I-140 approval, but during my I-485 process, I received another RFE on April 24, 2026.
This RFE focused heavily on my F-1 student history and maintenance of status. USCIS requested extensive documentation regarding my enrollment and attendance, transcripts, tuition payments, class schedules, coursework, physical presence, and other evidence supporting my F-1 history. This was one of the most difficult parts of the journey because we had to collect and organize a large amount of documentation covering several years. We worked quickly and submitted the complete I-485 RFE response on May 7, 2026, only about two weeks after the RFE was issued.
Then, on July 8, 2026, USCIS scheduled me for an I-485 interview.
(The Interview August 10, 2026)
After everything I had been through with the RFEs, I prepared myself for a very difficult interview.
Surprisingly, the actual interview was much more straightforward than I expected.
The officer mainly focused on:
* My F-1 status and immigration history
* My OPT/employment history
* The standard I-485 yes/no questions
The officer was professional and the interview went smoothly.
At the end of the interview, I asked the officer what he thought about my case.
He told me:
“You will get your green card in 2–3 weeks.”
Next day my online case status changed to
CASE APPROVED! 🎉
A Big Thank You
I also want to give special credit to the professional immigration preparer who helped me from the beginning of my case all the way to the end. They helped prepare and organize my paperwork throughout the process, including my original NIW petition, I-140 RFE response, I-485 RFE response, supporting evidence, and adjustment-of-status documentation.
For RFEs take it seriously. Understand exactly what USCIS is questioning, collect relevant evidence, organize your response carefully, respond on time, and know your own case.
My journey was: Premium Processing → I-140 RFE on Prongs 1 & 3 → I-140 Approval → I-485 RFE → RFE Response → Interview Scheduled → I-485 Interview on August 10 → CASE APPROVED.
It wasn't an easy road, but finally: APPROVED!
Good luck to everyone still waiting. Stay patient, stay organized, prepare well, and don't give up just because your case becomes complicated.