I got approved yesterday for my status of adjustment through marriage I attached my timeline on there. I never thought I would get to this point. So thankful for my wife and for having the opportunity to be a resident I’ve been here since I was a child and I was under DACA I can breathe a lot easier now with this the journey was long but it was all worth it I wouldn’t change anything 🙏🏼
I wanted to share my experience because I know how much anxiety I had reading other people’s posts while preparing for my interview. My case had three things I considered red flags, and I was very worried about how USCIS would view them.
I was approved, and I received my physical green card today, August 20, 2026.
Disclaimer: This is my personal experience, not legal advice. Every case is different.
Background
I’m from Venezuela. I entered the U.S. on a B-2 tourist visa in the summer of 2018. I later had 3–4 approved extensions of my B-2 stay, followed by TPS, which was approved around 2020/2021.
I met my husband in 2022. At the time, I was living in one city in Florida and he was living in another city about three hours away. We developed a serious relationship, saw each other regularly, met each other’s families, traveled together, and eventually decided to get married.
We filed our marriage-based AOS package ourselves. USCIS received it on November 7, 2025.
My husband is a U.S. citizen.
🚩 Red Flag #1: B-2 History + Multiple Extensions
I had entered the U.S. as a tourist and later received 3–4 approved extensions of my B-2 stay before receiving TPS.
This was one of the things I was concerned USCIS might question.
The officer did not ask about my B-2 extensions during the interview.
🚩 Red Flag #2: We Were Living Separately After Marriage
We got married in November 2025, but we were still living separately because I had professional commitments that I needed to complete before relocating.
This was one of the things I was most nervous about because I knew the officer could question why a married couple was not living together.
Interestingly, the officer barely focused on this. She made a comment along the lines of “Long-distance relationships are hard,” and moved on.
Later, she asked about my living situation and whether I was still in my apartment. I explained that my lease had ended, we had already moved my belongings, and I was in the process of relocating.
She also asked about our financial evidence, including whether we had a joint bank account and housing documentation. We explained our situation and provided the evidence we had.
🚩 Red Flag #3: Unauthorized Employment
My employment authorization was valid through November 7, 2025.
I continued working without employment authorization from approximately November 2025 through July 2026.
This was the issue I was most nervous about.
The officer asked whether I had worked without authorization, where I worked, the name of my employer, and for how long.
I answered honestly.
She asked the questions and then moved on.
Evidence We Brought
Because of our living situation, I wanted to document our relationship as thoroughly as possible.
Financial Evidence
We brought:
2025 joint federal tax return
Both W-2s
Recent pay stubs
Updated employment letter
Life insurance showing me as beneficiary
Costco membership
Car insurance with both names and address
Documentation showing our attempt to open a joint bank account
Relationship Evidence
Updated photographs from holidays, family gatherings, and trips
Call logs covering our relationship
Samples of text messages
Updated relationship timeline
Travel Evidence
Documentation from trips we took together, including airfare, hotels, and activities
Upcoming Religious Wedding Evidence
This was one of the largest sections of evidence we brought.
We had:
Church reservation/confirmation
Church donation receipt
Pre-Cana registration
Pre-Cana payment confirmation
Pre-Cana certificate
Wedding invitations
Invitation printing receipt
Wedding dress contract
Dress deposit and payment confirmations
Venue rental receipt
Restaurant contract and deposit
Photographer contract and deposit
Makeup contract and deposit
The officer actually made a copy of our wedding invitation.
Evidence of My Move
Apartment lease showing the end of my lease
Documentation showing there was no option to extend
Moving box receipts
Photos of the move
USPS change-of-address confirmation
Evidence of my move to a different city in Florida
The Interview — August 3, 2026 (Miami Office)
We waited about an hour before being called.
I was extremely nervous beforehand, but once they called us, I suddenly felt ready.
The officer was incredibly kind and relaxed. The interview felt much more like a conversation than an interrogation.
She asked how we met and then looked through our photographs, asking questions and making conversation about the people and events in the pictures.
She asked about our jobs, our living situation, our financial evidence, and my unauthorized employment.
She also asked whether the person who performed my medical exam was male or female. I hesitated and initially gave an answer, then corrected myself. She simply moved on.
At one point she asked what new evidence we had brought.
I told her we had updated financial evidence, wedding evidence, move evidence, travel evidence, etc.
She said, essentially:
“Give me everything.”
So I did.
At the end, she told us that if it were up to her, everything looked great/perfect, but she needed to send the case for supervisory review before she could give us the final approval.
She said we should hear back within the timeframe she gave us.
Approval 🎉
Filed: November 5, 2025
USCIS received: November 7, 2025
Interview: August 3, 2026
Approval: August 14, 2026
Card produced: August 18, 2026
Card received: August 20, 2026
Filing It Myself
I prepared and filed the entire AOS package myself. I did not have an attorney prepare the original filing.
ChatGPT was an enormous help throughout the process. I used it to help me understand the forms and requirements, organize my evidence, create my relationship timeline, organize my interview binder, and practice interview questions.
I later hired an immigration attorney to accompany me to the interview and to help me evaluate the legal issues surrounding my case.
Obviously, ChatGPT is not an attorney and cannot replace individualized legal advice, but it was an incredibly useful tool throughout the process.
I wanted to share this because I know how scary it can feel when you have complicated parts of your immigration history and you’re preparing for an interview.
My case had three things I was very worried about:
B-2 history with multiple extensions
Living separately after marriage
Unauthorized employment
I was prepared to explain everything honestly and brought substantial evidence showing our relationship and our life together.
And today, I have my green card in my hands. ❤️
Hope this helps someone who is currently preparing for their own interview.
Average processing time continues to spike.
Hi everyone,
After waiting 20 days, I finally received an approval email for my STEM OPT extension, which I had upgraded to Premium Processing.
I’m wondering if anyone has experience with a pending I-485 based on marriage. How long did it take for you to receive your I-485 approval after your STEM OPT/EAD was approved?
I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences and timelines. Thank you!
Note: I submitted I-485 in Feb 2026 and Pp STEM OPT in July 2026.
Submitted application in Feb
Biometrics in March
Interviewed in May
Got approved in August.
Chicago FO
- Submitted standalone i130 January 2024
- Received RFE August 2025, they asked for marriage evidence
- September 2025, i130 approved
- Dismissed my removal proceedings in court (asylum)
- Submitted i485, December 2025
- January 2026 schedule for Biometrics
- July 2026 interview scheduled
- August 2026 interview, official told my wife to stay out for the interview, did the interview myself, official asked who my sponsor is (my stepdad) and if I have his latest tax return information since my wife don’t meet income requirements for sponsorship. He also asked about my current employment information (i have an C08 EAD from the asylum case), asked just 3 or 4 of the security questions (drug trafficking, any illegal entry or deportation) , at the end of the interview I asked him if he was going to interview my wife and he said it wasn’t necessary since the 130 was already approved
Good luck to everyone!
Does anyone have a recent timeline for a combined N-400 and pending I-751 case at the Nashville Field Office?
I understand the process can take up to 12 months, but I’d appreciate hearing from anyone who applied recently and has already been interviewed or approved.
I applied in July 2026 and completed my biometrics on August 19. Please share your timeline if you’re in a similar situation. Thanks!
As per title, every time I get sent to the little room for additional processing.
They always say, it's in the system that I lost a green card and therefore they have to do additional processing even with global entry. Its 20-30 minutes every time.
I've been a legal permanent resident for 25+ years, does anyone know a way to fix it in the system?
I tried the redress process but they just closed the case with no resolution.
Any tips or hints gratefully received.
Thanks
Hi everyone hope you’re doing great . I’m looking for experiences from people who have been in a similar situation.
I entered legally on a B-2 visa in May 2023. My original I-94 was valid until November 2023. Before it expired, I applied for Venezuelan TPS in October 2023. TPS was approved and came with an I-94 valid until April 2025.
Before that expired, I filed affirmative asylum in March 2025. My asylum claim was genuine and supported by evidence. USCIS accepted my application under an exception to the one-year filing deadline, interviewed me, later issued a NOID, and I responded with additional evidence.
In August 2026, USCIS referred my asylum case to Immigration Court and issued an NTA. The referral says this is not a denial of asylum and I can continue pursuing asylum before the Immigration Judge. My first court hearing is scheduled for November 2027.
I’m also in a genuine relationship with a U.S. citizen and we were already discussing our future before the NTA. We are now seriously considering marriage and filing an I-130.
From what I understand, now that I’m in removal proceedings, USCIS would handle the I-130 while the Immigration Judge would generally have jurisdiction over my I-485/adjustment.
I also have legal insurance through my employer. I’m currently speaking with an immigration attorney in the insurance network. His normal rate is $350/hour, but through my plan I would pay about $262.50/hour after my covered benefit is used.
My plan also gives me 4 covered attorney hours for this immigration matter, and I still have time remaining because most of our conversations so far have only been short calls of a few minutes.
So I’m trying to decide how to use those hours wisely — whether to use some for a full review of my entire case and then use the remaining covered time to help prepare the I-130/marriage case, and whether I should keep this attorney for Immigration Court or eventually hire someone else.
My main questions are:
If your I-130 was pending at your first Master Calendar Hearing, did the judge give you a continuance?
How long did your I-130 take while you were in removal proceedings?
Once the I-130 was approved, how long did adjustment before the Immigration Judge take?
If you married after proceedings began, how difficult was proving the marriage was bona fide?
For those who used employer legal insurance, how did you make the best use of limited covered attorney hours?
Would you use the remaining covered hours for case strategy/document review, or save them for preparation of the actual filing?
I already have an immigration attorney, so I’m not using Reddit as a replacement for legal advice. I’m mostly looking for real experiences, timelines, and opinions from people who have been through this, especially in Orlando Immigration Court.
August 19, 2026
Status
Case Approved
Date
August 19, 2026
August 18, 2026
Status
We are currently processing your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. We do not currently need anything from you.
Date
August 18, 2026
July 13, 2026
Status
We scheduled an interview for your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
Date
July 13, 2026
July 1, 2026
Status
We are currently processing your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. We do not currently need anything from you.
Date
July 1, 2026
June 13, 2026
Status
We scheduled you for a biometrics appointment
Date
June 13, 2026
May 27, 2026
Status
We received your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, and sent you a receipt notice.
Date
May 27, 2026
Anyone else got a Silent update 19 Aug on their I-485?
Please post if you have got this update.
Trying to see if it’s mass update or anything meaningful.
Below is my timeline
RD: 27 March 2026
PD: Oct 2019
Biometrics: 22nd May
Last SU: 6 Aug 2026
2 FTA0 so far
Nothing else.
I wanted to share our journey because I posted here several times throughout the process, and so many people gave us advice and encouragement.
My wife and I filed everything ourselves, without an attorney.
We originally sent our documents in December 2025, but our package was rejected three times because of payment issues. Eventually, we figured out exactly how the payment needed to be submitted, and our case was finally accepted in March 2026.
About two weeks later, I received my biometrics appointment. The appointment was scheduled for about two weeks later, but I didn’t want to wait, so I went to the ASC the very next day and asked if they could take my biometrics early. They accepted me and took them! So I was able to get that part done almost two weeks ahead of schedule.
After that, we received only one RFE. We needed to add a joint sponsor, so we prepared everything and sent the response right away.
Eventually, USCIS scheduled our interview. We prepared all of our documents again, printed everything, and brought everything we could possibly need.
The interview itself went well. The officer told me that the I-130 would be approved, but there was an issue with my I-485 related to an old visa application that had been denied. I won’t go into all the details of that situation here, but I was told that USCIS might issue a NOID.
About a week later, we received the NOID and instructions regarding Form I-601. Around the same time, we also received the approval notice for the I-130.
We still did not hire a lawyer.
My wife and I prepared everything ourselves — all the documents, evidence, explanations, and the entire I-601 package. We submitted it both online and by mail.
And today, only three weeks later, my I-485 was approved! 🎉🇺🇸
This has been quite a journey. I posted here many times during the process, and a lot of people helped me and gave me advice. I really appreciate everyone who took the time to respond.
I also want to say this to anyone who is considering doing the process themselves: don’t automatically assume you need a lawyer. Of course, every case is different, and some situations absolutely require professional legal help. But if you have a straightforward case and are willing to spend the time researching everything, it is possible to do a lot of this yourself.
We prepared and submitted everything ourselves, including the RFE response and, most importantly, the I-601.
A lot of people here told me that I might have to wait 2–5 years for the I-601 process.
In the end, I waited only three weeks.
Today was a huge day for our family. ❤️
Thank you so much to everyone who helped us along the way!
Now we just have to wait for the next step — the actual Green Card. 😁
I’m curious how long it usually takes after the I-485 approval for the physical card to arrive. 🙂
Hey I applied for my husband marriage based green card, Nov 2025 and my interview was July 10th 2026 and haven’t heard back from them yet.
Our interview was very straightforward the officer said it looked good to him, he just needs to show it to his supervisor and that’s it.
I-130
Hello All,
I’m trying to understand whether anyone has experienced something similar with USCIS.
My spouse and I had our adjustment-of-status interview together several months ago.
Here’s the situation:
After the interview, my I-485 case status changed to “Case Was Reopened.”
The following day, I received an official I-797 approval notice stating that my I-485 was approved and that I had been granted lawful permanent resident status.
However, I never received the physical green card.
My online USCIS case status still says “Case Was Reopened” and never changed to “Case Approved.”
I contacted USCIS about the missing green card. The representative was able to see that my case had been approved.
I then submitted a case inquiry regarding the missing card.
USCIS has now responded with the following:
“Your case is awaiting review. You do not need to do anything at this time. When we make a decision or take further action on your case, we will mail a notice to you or your representative at the address you gave us.”
This is what I find confusing. I already have the I-797 approval notice, so I’m not sure what “awaiting review” means in this context.
There is also an additional complication: my spouse’s I-485 was part of the same adjustment-of-status process and we attended the interview together, but her online status still says “Interview Was Scheduled.” She has not received an approval notice either.
Our attorney previously suggested that the cases may have gotten stuck administratively after USCIS requested an I-485J that had already been provided, and that the field office may need to review the files.
Has anyone experienced something similar, particularly:
Receiving an I-485 approval notice while the online status still says “Case Was Reopened”?
Having USCIS subsequently say the case is “awaiting review” despite already receiving an approval notice?
Having the physical green card delayed for several months after receiving the approval notice?
If you experienced something similar, what ultimately happened, and what did you do that helped move the case forward?
Thanks in advance!
>BOSTON – A Chinese national residing in Andover, Mass. was arrested today for submitting a fraudulent voter registration and ballot in the 2024 presidential election in the name of another Chinese national. The defendant also allegedly submitted two fraudulent immigration forms on behalf of the victim, a Chinese national, and his wife, resulting in the confiscation of their Green Cards and causing them to enter into removal proceedings.
...
>According to court filings, on Oct. 10, 2024, Sun allegedly submitted an online voter registration through the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website impersonating another Chinese national residing in Massachusetts with legal permanent resident (“LPR”) status. On Oct. 31, 2024, Sun allegedly continued to impersonate the other Chinese national and submitted an early voting ballot at Malden City Hall for the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
...
>After registering to vote and voting, Sun allegedly submitted several anonymous tips in April and May 2026 to Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) stating that the victim “illegally voted in the 2024 U.S. presidential election” and noting that “[h]e is not a U.S. citizen but a permanent resident.”
...
>It is further alleged that Sun impersonated the same Chinese national and his Chinese national wife in fraudulent forms submitted to USCIS in April 2024 requesting to abandon their LPR status. When the couple returned from an international trip in June 2024, they were subjected to secondary inspection at Logan Airport in Boston, had their Green Cards confiscated, and were placed into removal proceedings allegedly as a result of Sun’s submission of fraudulent forms.
Hello all!! We wanted to share our good news!
F.O: Houston, TX
Timeline:
We got married April 2026!
My husband is an US Citizen and I am from Venezuela which is one of the partially banned countries. The interview went very smooth (surprisingly for us). I have been in the US with a pending asylum for the past 10 years. No overstays. We submitted all of our forms online using the USCIS website and without a lawyer or assistance from a paralegal.
We weren't separated during our interview. No new policies questions were asked, most of the questions were in regards to our relationship and my migration status. The interview was relatively short, we were surprise there weren't any gotcha questions and it was more of a conversation than an interrogation. The officer was very kind and informative throughout the interview, and she even pointed out a few minor errors we made when we submitted the paperwork and helped us correct them.
There was an error in the system that day/morning and the first thing she said was that we wouldn't be able to get an answer that day and to wait for the updates. We were worried it would take a couple weeks but we received the approval today!!+
I feel like I have used all my luck for the next 7 years lol.
Wife has green card visa stamp in Peru passport. She has not entered yet as we still in Canada and in process to move to USA but baby still has not got her green card.
We have a little trip planned to goto the Washington state (activate green card) for the week and come back to Canada. The green card will be mailed to my USA address and l ll give her the green card when l am back in Canada. She will enter again we finally have baby visa.
Will this work or is there some rule l don’t know about?
Hi, I saw some recent FTA1 code update on my 485 case. There was no action email sent though. I have been trying to ask live agent about the updates but agents are not giving any response and mentioning I should contact them next year as its still in current processing time. My receipt date is Nov 2025 and my case is with local Santa Ana office.
How to get updates from live agent, how often we can contact them.
I know patience is the key, but I have lost that key now
I am finally a U.S. citizen!
First and foremost I want to thank the people from this community for all the advice, patience and guidance they have provided. I have made a post prior and just wanted to give a final update.
I applied for my N-400 in March of this year while my I-751 was still pending (I applied for removal of conditions December 2024)
Biometrics scheduled for April 2026
Combo interview May 2026, got told by the officer that they would recommend me for approval right after my N-400 interview
Got my oath ceremony date in the mail last week of July (took almost a month to get a date as I wanted to change my last name) p.s. they did say they no longer do same day ceremonies
This August I just completed my ceremony and I am an official citizen.
Good luck to everyone in every step they might find themselves. Please be kind to your selves and always keep your heads high and your hearts true. God bless.