Applied for INFOPASS appointment on completion of 90 days.
Went Federal plaza @12pm for a 1pm appointment, promptly admitted.
Directed to third floor no one on line, given a number and I765 to fill up and asked to go to 9th floor.
When I got off the elevator, and entered the room my number was called ( that fast, fortunately I took an I 765 form all filled up, or else I wouldn't have time to even complete it!!!)
1.30 hours wait for processing and photos/finger print etc.
* filed for EAD 3rd Renewal with RD June 28th at TSC but no response till today.
* went to San Jose USCIS office on Sep 27th for IEAD as I stay in Bay Area.
* Though had an appointment, it is about Hour and half before i was called to the window.
*Approved EAD for 8 months with no questions asked by just looking at EAD recipt notice & passport and taking a pre-filled EAD Application, copy of I-140 approval notice and I-485 notice.
Here are some experiences with regards to my entire track from NIW I-140 petition to I-485 approval. I had somewhat of an unique case, so if anyone here is in the same boat, this may be of help to you. I have done the entire process by myself, without an attorney, and long hours of research in the law library on U.S.C. Section 8.
Arrived to US in 1991 on J-1, not subject to section 212e, changed to F-1 on arrival. Became an H-1 in 2001 and filed for NIW in March of 2002, case was backlogged due to 9-11.
Based on the advice of some of the members at immigrationportal and being an eternal optimist, I went to Vermont Service center on Aug 23rd taking a dayoff. The lady in the counter told me that my file is in queue for FP scheduling. I told her that I got the same reply even two months back when I made senatorial enquiry.
Today I had my interview conducted, and passport stamped as the final result. I finally can draw a closure for this 27-month-long journey. Honestly and surprisingly, I was extremely calm when I arrived USCIS office 4 am today. I was reading one of my favorite authors' (Ann Quindlen) bestseller " One True Thing" while I was waiting in the waiting room so concentratedly that when my name was called, I realized that my eyes were full of tears (yeah, the story's very touching and real. ) Anyway, here's my detail report to all of you who are still waiting:
Release Date
12/23/2025
WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security is amending regulations governing the H-1B work visa selection process to prioritize the allocation of visas to higher-skilled and higher-paid aliens to better protect the wages, working conditions, and job opportunities for American workers. The new rule replaces the random lottery for selecting visa recipients with a process that gives greater weight to those with higher skills.
Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
08/21/2025 09:29 AM EDT
Edition Date: 08/21/25. Starting March 5, 2026, USCIS will accept only the 08/21/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the 01/20/25 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
For more information, please visit the Forms Updates page.
Published by: Financial Express - January 8, 2026
https://www.financialexpress.com/business/investing-abroad-my-h-1b-approved-but-stuck-in-a-34-month-queue-attorney-shares-legal-fixes-for-missing-form-i-824-4100306/
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
Rajiv S. Khanna, US Immigration attorney, provides free immigration help by hosting a free community conference call for US immigration-related questions every Thursday. You can post questions for the call if you are a member of our US Immigration forums. Membership is immediate and lifelong. Walk-ins are also permitted.
USCIS recently updated the following form:
Form G-1055, Fee Schedule
01/01/2026 09:54 AM EST
Edition Date: 01/01/26. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page of Form G-1055, Fee Schedule.
For more information, please visit the Forms Updates page.
Number 11
Volume XI
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during February for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
Published by: Financial Express - January17, 2026
https://www.financialexpress.com/business/investing-abroad-lied-on-green-card-appetite-for-enforcement-has-changed-attorney-warns-old-errors-are-triggering-deportations-4108425/
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
Release Date
01/14/2026
New rule eliminates one-year foreign residency requirement for thousands of religious workers abroad
Release Date
01/09/2026
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is publishing a final rule that will increase USCIS fees for premium processing to reflect the amount of inflation from June 2023 through June 2025.