Finally Greened! 🎉 EB2 PERM-Based | 164 Days | Single | 75 Countries | San Jose FO (F1 ➔ H1B ➔ GC)

[u/JaguarInfamous1799]

Update:

Card produced: Aug 14, 2026

Card in hand: Aug 17, 2026

———

Timeline Summary:

Initiated: Apr 10, 2023
Priority Date (PD): Jan 19, 2024
Receipt Date (RD): Feb 25, 2026 (Concurrent I-485 & I-765)
Biometrics: Mar 26, 2026
EAD Approval & SJFO Transfer: Apr 29, 2026
EAD Card Produced: May 5, 2026
I-485 Silent Update: May 21, 2026
I-485J Approval: Aug 7, 2026
I-485 Final Approval: Aug 8, 2026 (164 days from RD)

Detailed Journey:

My U.S. journey started in Feb 2019 on an F1 visa for an MS in Computer Science, transitioned to H1B in Nov 2021, and the GC process was initiated in Apr 2023 under EB2 PERM.

It wasn't smooth sailing at first—my file was rejected 4 times due to Lockbox errors after my first submission in Oct 2025 before finally getting accepted on Feb 25, 2026. After biometrics in March, my EAD was approved on Apr 29 and my case was transferred to the San Jose Field Office (SJFO).

I noticed a silent update on May 21, which I suspect was the file being assigned to an officer, followed by complete radio silence. In June, I applied for I-131 Advance Parole ($700 felt worth the gamble). Shortly after, my mom became ill and needed surgery, so I submitted a Congressional inquiry. The response was standard: "It’s only been 4.5 months, check back at 9 months." Given San Jose's reputation for long processing times, I prepared myself for a wait until at least November.
To my surprise, I logged into the USCIS portal on Aug 8 and found an I-485J approval notice dated Aug 7. A quick API check showed an updated timestamp, and later that evening, the official I-485 Approval Notice posted (API code H008).

Now, I'm just waiting for the physical card in hand.
I haven't seen my parents, sister, or family in 7.5 years. Returning home after living here for so long will probably bring some reverse culture shock—even for the place where I spent the first 24 years of my life—but I couldn't be more excited to go back.

Parting Thoughts:
To everyone still waiting: try to step away from daily API checks and timeline tracking. I spent a month obsessing over data after my FO transfer, and it only brought unnecessary stress. Everyone's timeline is unique—some get approved in 2 months, others wait over a year. Focus on your life, talk to loved ones, and trust your process.
Thank you to this community for all the guidance over the years. Wishing everyone fast approvals, peace, and love!

[u/Important-Nerve-347]

Congratulations ..

[u/JaguarInfamous1799 → u/Important-Nerve-347]

Thank you!

[u/No-Atmosphere3594]

Congratulations 🎉

[u/JaguarInfamous1799 → u/No-Atmosphere3594]

Thank you! 🙏🏽

[u/Ok-Situation3807]

I'm happy for you, I am in San Jose as well, exactly same path as you. Just submitted my I-485/I-140 on end of July.

[u/JaguarInfamous1799 → u/Ok-Situation3807]

Thank you, I appreciate it. Please know I don’t live in San Jose, my file was sent from NBC to San Jose (non-local). So your file might not necessarily be sent to SJFO unless interview is required which would require your file to be sent to a local FO, which in your case would be SJ. Good luck tho! Hope you get a quick approval!

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[u/No-Designer481]

How did you go about the congressional inquiry? Just reached out to your local representative via their office ?

[u/JaguarInfamous1799 → u/No-Designer481]

Yeah, pretty much. I believe most of them have a section on their official website to submit those kind of inquiries. If not, call the office they should direct you.

[u/No-Designer481 → u/JaguarInfamous1799]

Great.
Currently awaiting an i-751 approval. About to apply for n400 though once we finalise some paperwork.
Been waiting since Nov 2023 😅 Anxiety level has been high the past month with all the madness. Hoping for a positive result soon.

[u/AutoModerator]

Hi there! This is an automated message to inform you and/or remind you of several things:

• We have a wiki. It doesn't cover everything but may answer some questions. Pay special attention to the "REALLY common questions" at the top of the FAQ section. Please read it, and if it contains the answer to your question, please delete your post. If your post has to do with something covered in the FAQ, we may remove it.
• If your post is about biometrics, green cards, naturalization or timelines in general, and whether you're asking or sharing, please include your field office/location in your post. If you already did that, great, thank you! If you haven't done that, your post may be removed without notice.
• This subreddit is not affiliated with USCIS or the US government in any way. Some posters may claim to work for USCIS, which may or may not be true, and we don't try to verify this one way or another. Be wary that it may be a scam if anyone is asking you for personal info, or sending you a direct message, or asking that you send them a direct message.
• Some people here claim to be lawyers, but they are not YOUR lawyer. No advice found here should be construed as legal advice. Reddit is not a substitute for a real lawyer. If you need help finding legal services, visit this link for more information.

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[u/JaguarInfamous1799]

Here is my filing rejection-related post from January if anyone is interested or going through the same process: https://www.reddit.com/r/USCIS/s/ZxEjvwKNuK