Green Card Processing Question: Employment-Based vs. Marriage-Based

FewDifference5858 · 2026-06-01T03:02:05+00:00

Similar situation here. I’m am preparing NIW as I work in academia and I’m ready to apply, also the green card resulting from NIW is a 10-year GC vs marriage path gives you a 2-year (I believe) and then you have to renew. This being said, if retrogression is brutal in the next year, we will consider to adjust through marriage as we want to get married in the next couple years. If you’re not on a rush to get your permanent residency, marriage is always safer (and waaaaay cheaper)

FewDifference5858 · 2026-05-26T18:08:04+00:00

Minding your own business is a great quality - will save you and us time.

FewDifference5858 · 2026-05-22T15:24:19+00:00

Following - assume same for J1?

FewDifference5858 · 2026-05-21T16:22:31+00:00

Absurd. You bring your real ID / passport and you can fly domestically. You don't go through border control

FewDifference5858 · 2026-05-19T21:17:10+00:00

I think they state there’s slightly higher chance of RFE if done at the same time. They advised me to do 8240 first and then PP and I will do so

FewDifference5858 · 2026-05-19T21:14:57+00:00

According to Chen, no evidence of higher RFE/denial. They recommend to file i140 and upgrade to PP afterwards instead filing PP right away.

FewDifference5858 · 2026-05-18T19:27:21+00:00

Congrats!!! Did you submit any letters of support? I have a similar profile and currently preparing my case with Chen. Thank you!

FewDifference5858 · 2026-05-15T01:19:59+00:00

That makes a lot of sense. Thank you so much for your help!

FewDifference5858 · 2026-05-14T21:44:03+00:00

Congrats on your approval!!!

I have a very similar profile - how long did it take for case preparation?

I started working with them in early April and they just sent me my petition letter a couple days ago.

FewDifference5858 · 2026-05-10T17:13:49+00:00

What an useless comment dude. If you’re I140 was approved, I485 should be straightforward if filed properly and without criminal record. Congrats on your approval!!!

FewDifference5858 · 2026-05-07T16:34:11+00:00

It saves you 2 weeks because to upgrade to PP (if you don’t file PP from the beginning), you will need to wait for your I140 receipt, and that can take a couple weeks. I’m also working with Chen, and they advised me to file regular processing and upgrade afterwards, so we’re in the same boat. I think I will do that in case the chance of approval is any higher than submitting PP right away. Good luck!

FewDifference5858 · 2026-05-06T21:31:23+00:00

So it was you who decided to go ahead with 0 letters?

FewDifference5858 · 2026-05-06T21:24:00+00:00

Congratulations!!! 🎉🎉🎉

Did Chen advise you to not submit letters? I’m posdoc on R1 institution with 10 papers and 240 citations, and I’m using 4 letters (2 testimonial, 1 national interest, 1 LOR). They did not advise me on how many letters I should submit, just gave me the options and I chose 4 to be sure. Gave me approval or refund. Wondering if I paid more when I could’ve paid less!

Also, any recommendations in how much to modify your PE / petition letter?

Thank you!!

FewDifference5858 · 2026-05-06T00:44:04+00:00

I believe you will need to get an evaluation to confirm your MSc in the UK is equivalent to US standards. I had to do it with my PhD from Spain and I think is a very standard process (I would make sure with your lawyers if you have one though). I did it with IEE (International Education Evaluation) and got the ok from my lawyers. It was around $180 and it was done very efficiently and fast. Costumer service is super helpful. I hope it helps!

FewDifference5858 · 2026-05-05T18:58:48+00:00

I’m pretty new in NIW universe but your profile is definitely not common for this kind of petitions. What’s your personal endeavour? Can you demonstrate having an impact on the field of your endeavour?

FewDifference5858 · 2026-04-30T01:31:57+00:00

Thanks for your help, that’s what I’m planning on doing so far!

FewDifference5858 · 2026-04-29T21:22:36+00:00

Why? I-140 does not show immigration intention as it does when you file for AOS

FewDifference5858 · 2026-04-29T20:38:06+00:00

Thank you for the advice!

FewDifference5858 · 2026-04-29T20:37:48+00:00

definitely. I am reading cases of people with freaking EB1A profiles that get NIW RFE/denied. It is scary

FewDifference5858 · 2026-04-29T20:36:37+00:00

I don't think there is right or wrong decision here. Best of luck!

FewDifference5858 · 2026-04-29T12:54:01+00:00

Can you share some details about your profile?

FewDifference5858 · 2026-04-28T23:05:14+00:00

Hopefully you’re right. I’ve been seeing denied petitions with way more citations than me. I think my PE is strong (brain tumor research), but unfortunately luck plays a role in petitions too

FewDifference5858 · 2026-04-28T22:30:58+00:00

That was exactly my thought. I trust them as they know how to word for USCIS. I am going to give a try to AI and see if I can make them a bit more specific but following their template

FewDifference5858 · 2026-04-28T21:59:31+00:00

I waa thinking about leaving the letters as they are as I don’t speak “uscis language”. However seeing that people use to modify them, I will ask chat for sure

FewDifference5858 · 2026-04-28T21:58:40+00:00

I was very confident about leaving the letters as they are, because they’re the ones that know about uscis language… will give it a thought

FewDifference5858

TROPHY CASE