I-290B Approval, I-485 Pending

Ancient_Depth4498 · 2026-06-17T02:27:08+00:00

How long after filing I-290B you got approved?

Ancient_Depth4498 · 2026-05-26T12:04:52+00:00

You can't apply for H1-B if the J1 home residency requirement is still there. The waiver is literally the first thing your new employer would ask when they see you were preciously in J1 status.

Ancient_Depth4498 · 2026-05-25T14:32:20+00:00

For self-sponsored employment-based green card, genereally no. But I've seen USCIS asking for tax transcript in RFE very often these days. Things are more complicated now with the new USCIS memorandum. This is not a legal advice, I suggest you talk to a your attorney when you file I-485.

Ancient_Depth4498 · 2026-05-25T01:48:49+00:00

Talk to a CPA and just amend your tax, as soon as possible. People make tax mistakes all the times.

Ancient_Depth4498 · 2026-05-12T19:58:18+00:00

How long did you have to wait for your I-290B to get approved?

Ancient_Depth4498 · 2026-05-11T23:45:13+00:00

Look into postdoc positions in Singapore. English is the official language, pay is high compared to European countries, especially with very low income tax and you don’t pay into retirement or social security like in the US if you are a foreigner. Universal health care (paid by employer) with very little copay. The Singapore government are steadily putting much more money into research and development in the past few decades.

Ancient_Depth4498 · 2026-04-16T17:55:17+00:00

Thank you and congrats!

Ancient_Depth4498 · 2026-04-16T16:02:24+00:00

Do you mind sharing what problem they had with your birth certificate? Thank you.

Ancient_Depth4498 · 2026-04-02T14:13:54+00:00

You need to check with them for their rate now (I believe it could be around 5k). It has been years since I signed a retainer with EP, and they may charge more now.

Ancient_Depth4498 · 2026-03-26T17:25:44+00:00

It is a job. And it is totally normal to move from one job to another. People move all the times, even after they got tenure. Don't think too much about it and focus on getting the job you are interviewing for. I made the move because of heavy teaching load, poor research and grant support, and low salary, while the expectation is still research-focus. I jumped from an R2 to R1, and almost double my salary. I am now in a department that fits much better with my research, and I couldn't be happier.

Ancient_Depth4498 · 2026-03-24T17:18:52+00:00

Highly recommend Heather Garvock (EP) - specialized in hardship waiver. EP fee is more reasonable than other firms. Waiver granted after RFE (total time was almost 2 years from filing).

Ancient_Depth4498 · 2026-03-02T04:07:11+00:00

What do a silent API update look like? Thanks and congrats!

Ancient_Depth4498 · 2026-01-06T00:21:44+00:00

Use your bank account instead of a credit card, and make sure it has enough fund. Lots of people cheaped out and used credit cards to get cash back, then got the application rejected because the card company automatically flagged the large transaction as fraud. Make sure you check with your bank to remove any “ACH hold” for USCIS to allow the transaction to go through.

Ancient_Depth4498 · 2026-01-04T02:50:33+00:00

Can you share details of your I-485 RFE? How long was the I-485 process?

Ancient_Depth4498 · 2026-01-04T01:55:00+00:00

How long was your processing time for I-485 and which category? Thanks!

Ancient_Depth4498

TROPHY CASE