I-485 NOID question confused about USCIS updates

Hi everyone, I’m really confused about my I-485 case and would appreciate advice from anyone who has experienced something similar.(FOR MORE INFO CHECK MY PROFILE I HAVE ANOTHER POST)

My I-485 is employment-based (EB-3). I had my interview on August 4, 2026.

On August 10, I contacted USCIS/Emma and was told there was a “Notice of Intent to Deny” on my case.

I contacted USCIS again with different representatives:

• One representative confirmed 08/10/2026 — Notice of Intent to Deny.
• Another representative said “A NOID has not been sent.”
• A third representative also saw 08/10/2026 — Notice of Intent to Deny, but said they could not tell me whether it was actually sent.
• I have not received a NOID by mail.
• There is no NOID in my USCIS online account/Documents.
• My USCIS case history does not show a NOID.

Then on August 18, my USCIS account updated to:

“USCIS Is currently Processing the Case.”

My backend case data also showed a new FTA1 event on August 18. The case is still open, with no RFE/evidence request and no action required showing.

I’m confused because if a NOID was actually issued on August 10, why has it still not appeared in my account or been mailed after 9 days?

Has anyone experienced an internal NOID/“intent to deny” update that was never actually sent? Did USCIS later cancel/not issue the NOID, or did it arrive later?

Also, does anyone know what an FTA1 event after an I-485 interview usually means?

Any experiences or advice would really help. Thank you

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share my timeline because I've been following recent EB-3 approval posts and the backend/API patterns have been really helpful while waiting. Hopefully my timeline can help someone else too.

Case Details

• Category: EB-3 Skilled Worker — ROW
• Filing: I-485 + I-485J + I-765
• Receipt Date: April 20, 2026
• Interview: August 4, 2026
• Field Office: Chicago FO
• RFE: None currently
• I-485J: Approved / Closed
• Current status: Waiting for final I-485 decision

Timeline

April 20, 2026
I-485, I-485J and I-765 filed.

April 30, 2026
IAF event appeared on I-485.

June 5, 2026
Biometrics completed. Two FTA0 events appeared on the I-485.

June 26, 2026
A third FTA0 appeared. Interestingly, its eventDateTime still pointed to June 5, the original biometrics date.

June 29, 2026
Interview scheduled for August 4.

August 4, 2026
I-485 interview completed at the Chicago Field Office. The officer said a final decision would be made soon.

August 6, 2026
Backend/silent activity appeared on the I-485, I-485J and EAD. My I-485J was subsequently approved and closed.

August 10, 2026
A new silent/backend update appeared on the main I-485. The EAD did not receive the same new update.

The I-485 API still shows the case as open, with no action required and no evidence request.

Current API pattern

I-485:

• FTA0 ×3
• IAF ×1
• FJ ×1
• I-485J approved/closed
• Aug. 6 silent update
• Aug. 10 silent I-485 update
• No FTA1
• No H008 yet

So I'm currently waiting for the final I-485 decision.

I've seen several recent EB-3 cases where the sequence was:

I-485J approved/closed → silent I-485 update → H008 → I-485 approval

But I've also seen cases where approval took days or weeks after the I-485J approval, so I'm trying not to assume the 24-hour pattern is guaranteed.

If anyone recently had an employment-based I-485 interview + I-485J approval + silent update, I'd really appreciate hearing how long it took for your final I-485 approval.

Good luck to everyone still waiting! 🇺🇸🙏