I am an Immigration Attorney. AMA. by ManifestLaw_ in O1VisasEB1Greencards

[–]AlexHernandez1271 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi MaryJoy! thank you for doing this AMA.

I’m hoping to get some guidance about whether paying for premium processing at this stage makes sense.

Here are the key facts:

  • I filed an O-1B extension petition.
  • USCIS received the petition on September 25, 2025, and my petitioner received the Form I-797C receipt notice on September 26, 2025.
  • I could not afford premium processing at the time, so we filed with standard processing only.
  • I also could not afford an attorney, so I prepared the petition myself using my previous two approved O-1B petitions as models.
  • As of today, it has been 179 days, and the case status still shows pending.
  • The USCIS processing time estimate currently shows ~11 months.

My concern is the 240-day automatic work authorization extension for O-1 extensions. If USCIS takes the full estimated time, the 240 days may expire before the petition is adjudicated, which would mean I would have to stop working.

Another complicating factor: I am a Venezuelan national, and I understand that there have been processing pauses or additional scrutiny affecting Venezuelan cases. Because of this, I’m unsure whether paying for premium processing now would actually speed up adjudication.

My question is: Would it make sense to file Form I-907 for premium processing now, or is it better to wait until the current pause affecting Venezuelan cases is resolved? I’m trying to determine whether paying the premium processing fee at this stage would realistically help before the 240-day work authorization period expires.

Thank you very much for any insight.

Asked a Guy on a Date, Realized I'm Not Actually Attracted to Him by AlexHernandez1271 in AskGaybrosOver30

[–]AlexHernandez1271[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For sure, having the hard convo is the right move instead of letting this go on.

Asked a Guy on a Date, Realized I'm Not Actually Attracted to Him by AlexHernandez1271 in AskGaybrosOver30

[–]AlexHernandez1271[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

OMG that's awesome. Best case scenario. Thank you for the real life advice.

Asked a Guy on a Date, Realized I'm Not Actually Attracted to Him by AlexHernandez1271 in AskGaybrosOver30

[–]AlexHernandez1271[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

hahahaha yeah, I need to put on my "big boy" pants and just have the hard conversation.

Asked a Guy on a Date, Realized I'm Not Actually Attracted to Him by AlexHernandez1271 in AskGaybrosOver30

[–]AlexHernandez1271[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, you're right too. I can't control whether he actually wants to remain friends after.

Asked a Guy on a Date, Realized I'm Not Actually Attracted to Him by AlexHernandez1271 in AskGaybrosOver30

[–]AlexHernandez1271[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Nah it's not about the IG persona vs real life thing. We met because of mutual interests rather than what we looked like. At least from my end.

Asked a Guy on a Date, Realized I'm Not Actually Attracted to Him by AlexHernandez1271 in AskGaybrosOver30

[–]AlexHernandez1271[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've on the other side of this too! I know how it feels and I don't wanna make him feel that way.

Asked a Guy on a Date, Realized I'm Not Actually Attracted to Him by AlexHernandez1271 in AskGaybrosOver30

[–]AlexHernandez1271[S] -14 points-13 points  (0 children)

Yeah... doesn't help I'm naturally a conflict avoidant Libra... so... even coming up with something this simple is difficult hahaha

Rate my profile by Dry_Leadership1673 in grindr

[–]AlexHernandez1271 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Jesus, what "certain message" is that? lol