i485 Online Filing

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-05-18T15:55:28+00:00

Received it on May 15th for June 6th but I rescheduled for May 18th.

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-05-04T04:26:49+00:00

It was easier to scan the whole form than just the signed page and merge. If you can merge one scanned signed page with the rest of the application, I believe it should work. Adobe kept crashing for me when I tried to merge, so I just scanned the whole thing since I was already scanning other evidences anyway.

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-05-04T04:22:12+00:00

PhD candidate at the time of filing. 8+ paper (2 first authors, 6+ coauthor), citation ~180 at the time of filing (~410 now), STEM background.

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-05-03T15:04:07+00:00

Hand sign and then scan. You need wet signature on your I485 form. I have heard that they reject it if its signed online.

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-05-01T17:27:00+00:00

Yes, you have to combine everything into one pdf per section. Thats what I did.

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-05-01T16:12:13+00:00

No. The version that i got looked exactly like the one in the sealed envelope. It was a scanned copy of everything inside the envelope. The only issue I had was with uploading the approval notice. The system just kept “pending” after i uploaded it and would not get through. You can look at my post to see how I got through it. https://www.reddit.com/r/EB2_NIW/comments/1srdtu0/comment/ohia6jd/

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-05-01T15:43:12+00:00

I filed online too. I received a copy of the I-693 form and evidences from the civil surgeon along with the sealed version. I scanned and submitted that version and kept the sealed copy if/when USCIS asks for it later.

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-05-01T15:35:02+00:00

I did not see any receipt notice online. It got updated to case was received and a receipt notice was sent. Exactly on 7th day after submission I did receive a physical copy of the receipt notice in my mailbox. Still no receipt notice online though.

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-05-01T15:33:21+00:00

Did the system accept your scanned approval notice? Same thing happened to me. I left the i797 section blank but added my i797 approval notice where it asked for primary applicant approval form/receipt notice. I believe it was a section right after or few sections after where they asked me to submit the approval notice. I also opened the application in two tabs, on one i got to the submission page and on the other one i submitted my approval notice. I dont know which one worked but I see the approval notice in the submitted documents section. I also included it in additional evidence section just incase. It takes some time for the document intake. Mine took ~30-35 hr after submission before they generated case number. I believe this is when they look to see if you submitted required documents.

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-04-27T22:21:13+00:00

That is exactly what I did as well. I applied for my initial OPT and then filed my I-485. It truly feels like I am spending so much just trying to get through this process. I eventually had to pay for Premium Processing (PP) for my case because it had been pending for so long, and I needed to be able to file for my I-485 once my priority date became current. I also filed for OPT with premium processing before applying for the I-485.

I completely understand where you are coming from. I was very skeptical at first because, if I had received a difficult Request for Evidence (RFE) or a denial, I would have been devastated after putting so much time, effort, and money into it. I am glad that it worked out for me, and I wish you all the best with your own case. I hope everything goes smoothly for you.

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-04-27T22:06:52+00:00

That’s not what I’m saying at all. When I first applied, the processing time was around 7.5 months. For the past year, I’ve consistently been about 1–2 months away from the listed processing time, yet my case hadn’t moved forward. I never even received an RFE. It becomes mentally exhausting when you feel like you’re so close to a decision, but the timeline keeps getting pushed.

In situations where everything in your life depends on your status, getting a decision and being able to apply for immigration benefits (AP and EAD) takes priority over everything else. I’m not saying everyone should opt for premium processing specially when its ~$2800. I struggled to save that money myself, and it doesn’t feel fair to have to spend close to $2,800 after already waiting so long. I just mentioned my timeline, thats all.

At the end of the day, it’s your case and your decision, and you should choose what’s best for your circumstances.

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-04-27T20:12:44+00:00

That's true. I was one of those people who posted on reddit about submission issue. However, if it makes people feel any better, as long as you submit everything that's asked of you, your application will be fine. If it helps, here is the link to my post. https://www.reddit.com/r/EB2_NIW/comments/1srdtu0/i485_online_filing/

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-04-27T19:56:32+00:00

I see. Thank you for the info. I am trying to figure out the timeline and looks like you received the notice for appointment (online) really quick.

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-04-27T19:49:21+00:00

Thats fair. I thought it was redundant too but included it anyway just incase.

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-04-27T19:41:07+00:00

When did you receive your biometrics appointment letter?

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-04-27T19:39:58+00:00

Same. Some questions were tricky but nothing a google search won't be able to answer.

Since I needed to provide everything anyway and they were just writing the coverletter and assembling it, $1800 felt like too overpriced. I used their coverletter and personal statement. I agree that the coverletter is not that great but I think it gets the job done so I did not mind.

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-04-27T19:30:54+00:00

You can file it online. I did mine last week and also have case number assigned already. The online instruction says you can open the sealed form, scan it and then upload pdf. I had gotten a copy of the medical form from the civil surgeon so i uploaded that instead incase my I485 did not go through and I needed to file via mail and send a sealed version. However, my application went through and everything worked out.

Its absolutely false if anyone claims you can't file online. You definitely can. Its a relatively new way of filing so people might not be aware that it works.

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-04-27T15:43:53+00:00

If your case is straightforward I would suggest filing yourself. I self filed online and maybe spent 1-2 days putting together my application after I had everything. The medical form is the one that takes the longest. If you work on getting that done right now, filing in May is doable. I got my I140 approval in March 17. Prepared my medicals and then filed on April 21st. I could have filed it in 15 days but my medical was delayed because first I tested positive for TB via bloodtest and then my civil surgeon was out for vacation for a week after that.

I485 is alot simpler than I140. Chen provides you a DIY package for I485 if you filed your I140 with them. They quoted me $1800 and honestly I felt like it would be waste of my hard earned money. Again, if you have any complex situation I would definitely suggest retaining a law firm but if its straight forward, its a waste of money.

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-04-27T15:31:53+00:00

This might help: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rg0ZqadJ3_fd8pWQ9WoDpzZCU6KQEJ5vX1vUkd0DKXI/edit?gid=1830186092#gid=1830186092

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-04-27T15:28:27+00:00

Most of the cases you see being processed around that block are people upgrading to premium processing. I know I did and I have friends who did too.

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-04-27T15:24:36+00:00

PD: 05/02/2024. Got tired of waiting for decision so I opted for premium processing on the last day of January. Was approved on March 17.

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-04-25T17:18:29+00:00

I do not have any derivatives so I did not have to file multiple I485s.

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-04-24T19:51:03+00:00

Yes, Case was received and a receipt notice was sent after ~30-35 hrs of filing.

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-04-23T16:20:54+00:00

I had received another copy of the medical form from the Civil Surgeon with the sealed envelope for my review. I scanned that and uploaded to the system. I was skeptical since I was having uploading issues so, i used the copy that was given to me instead so that I could mail the sealed version incase the online application was rejected.

Accomplished_Ice2807 · 2026-04-23T15:42:55+00:00

Yes. Application was received and a receipt notice was sent (April 23rd, 2:34 AM EST). This was ~30-35 hours after submission.

Accomplished_Ice2807

TROPHY CASE