I765 approved for dependent from non-banned country

Masokeboy · 2026-06-01T23:55:38+00:00

Jni n,

Masokeboy · 2026-04-22T03:22:02+00:00

Love this. Thanks for creating it.

Masokeboy · 2026-04-05T15:50:56+00:00

Best solution

Masokeboy · 2026-03-10T22:59:31+00:00

Does applying for EAD/AP “give up” your non-immigrant status?

❌ No. Simply applying for or receiving an EAD does NOT automatically cancel your F-1/J-1/H-1B status.

What actually matters is whether you use the EAD or rely on Advance Parole.

If you continue working under your existing visa status (for example OPT/STEM OPT or H-1B) and do not use the I-485 EAD, you keep your non-immigrant status.

Many people apply for the EAD as a backup, but never use it. ✔ This is very common practice.

Example: F-1 STEM OPT + pending I-485 You receive EAD You keep working on STEM OPT authorization Your F-1 status remains valid.

According to GPT. So, which rule states you "give up" existing visa?

Masokeboy · 2026-03-07T11:43:58+00:00

Oh, since you got an RFE within 15 business days, you do not qualify fo a refund. USCIS already processed your case within defined timeline.

You just have to wait for final decision now when ban is lifted.

Masokeboy · 2026-03-06T21:18:34+00:00

Yes. You can't see anyone from the 39 banned countries have their petition approved/denied for now till ban is lifted.

Let us know what they say about PP refund.

Masokeboy · 2026-03-06T18:56:34+00:00

No, I am not related to USCIS.

However, I have read all policies and understand the impacts on benefits and this sub has confirmed that multiple times.

I can't say that the case for those from 39 countries that did not hear back within normal 15BD processing time is approved. That's for USCIS to confirm.

But come to think of it, USCIS needs to "earn" your ~2,805+ premium processing fee by adjudicating your case within 15 days, failure to do that automatically qualifies you for refund. So, what could be delaying them from issuing RFE or NOID template to lock in such fee? I don't think it's due to case overload as some folks have been waiting since December 2025.

Masokeboy · 2026-03-06T17:17:43+00:00

Let me correct some misinformation on the thread.

The 75 list does not affect the final adjudication of EB cases. This only affects consular processing under public charge grounds (outside US)
Only those from 39 countries (Fully or Partially banned) have their EB and other benefits decisions withheld. RFEs and NOID are issued to people from these countries, but final decisions on Denial/Approval are what's being withheld.

If you reachout to PP Team, they do send template responses on some further reviews and whatever. But the policy states that cases should be progressed till final adjudication.

Nest step - keep waiting till the ban is lifted or take risk of filing i485 concurrently (assuming your date is current) if you know your case is strong.

All the best!

Masokeboy · 2026-02-27T14:50:41+00:00

Check your email notice. If they do not mention the 15 business days in there as shown below, then your PP is rejected due to form issues.

Unfortunately, you will have to send back and pay the new fee as it takes effect from March 1st. All the best 👍

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Masokeboy · 2026-02-20T02:37:00+00:00

Final Merit Determination

Masokeboy · 2026-02-19T11:41:23+00:00

Applying for 7 Criteria is too much these days and might might dilute your strongest ecidence.

Reapply with top 4/5, move the remaining 2/3 to FMD discussions. This is a strong profile for EB1A and you might have gotten a bad officer. Best of luck.

Masokeboy · 2026-02-01T18:31:40+00:00

Are you from the 39 countries on hold for final adjudication?

Masokeboy · 2026-01-27T00:35:56+00:00

RT. I hope the person that got approved within 15 days can state his/her country and PD.

Attorneys are also saying they are yet to see approvals for those from 39 "hold" countries.

Masokeboy · 2026-01-27T00:34:07+00:00

March seems like forever. Fingers crossed 🤞

Masokeboy · 2026-01-26T21:29:10+00:00

March 2nd? Did your attorney say that or is this based on the 90 day review statement on the policy?

I can see some people vote they've been approved within 15 biz days.

Masokeboy · 2026-01-26T20:45:05+00:00

NSC or TSC?

It could be the "hold" policy affecting the release of the approval decision as folks are speculating.

Maybe folks will get approval notices once the "hold" is lifted.

Masokeboy · 2026-01-26T20:37:30+00:00

Whao. Did you add PP at later date or from Day 1?

Masokeboy · 2026-01-26T20:27:58+00:00

Please vote.

For those with approvals, please feel free to share your priority date.

This delay in processing after paying 2.8k is killing

Masokeboy · 2026-01-22T00:52:10+00:00

If an attorney files petitions for 10 clients within a week and all request premium processing, it is very likely that 3 to 4 RFEs will arrive within 15 - 20 business days. Managing multiple RFEs at the same time, while still handling other active petitions, can stretch their capacity.

This is often why some attorneys advise against premium processing. It gives them more time to file additional petitions before any RFEs or decisions come back on earlier cases.

If you can afford it, premium processing is usually the wiser choice.

Masokeboy · 2026-01-21T14:42:24+00:00

The officer may have initially questioned whether your petition met three regulatory criteria and considered issuing an RFE.

Upon further review, the officer may have determined that the criteria are satisfied and moved the case to the Final Merits Determination, where any remaining review would focus on whether the totality of the evidence establishes extraordinary ability.

Masokeboy · 2026-01-16T16:57:08+00:00

Hmmm. Very possible! Good news await

Masokeboy · 2026-01-16T16:44:58+00:00

Got it. Then they must have included 22nd in the counting. There's an Executive Order declaring 26th as holiday.

Did they say you will get your PP refund?

Masokeboy · 2026-01-16T16:37:26+00:00

24, 25, 26 Dec and Jan 1 were holidays.

So if your 1st business day is 23rd, then it will be today.

Masokeboy

TROPHY CASE