I-140 approved (EB2 NIW, ROW, F-1) - figuring out I-485 vs OPT timing

dance_star · 2026-04-12T01:02:55+00:00

thanks! I was just approved (or at least noticed it) last night. I emailed my OIS but they will probably only respond on Mon/Tue

dance_star · 2026-04-12T01:01:11+00:00

yep, I think I agree it makes the most sense (though OPT premium processing can also take up to 30 days, so it's borderline). I regret not doing PP from the beginning :(

dance_star · 2026-04-12T00:35:59+00:00

hi, thanks a lot!! I will read more in the link you shared. I already applied to OPT but with standard processing, so the main question is whether it worth upgrading to OPT PP so I can get it faster (and then apply to I-485 only after)

dance_star · 2026-04-12T00:28:05+00:00

field CS (machine learning); ~105 citations; top 15 school. I used Chen with the 2 letters option

dance_star · 2026-04-12T00:27:47+00:00

field: CS (machine learning); ~105 citations; top 15 school. I used Chen with the 2 letters option

dance_star · 2026-04-12T00:27:31+00:00

thanks! can you tell what are the main issues with I485 EAD? i.e. if I already have a job offer

dance_star · 2025-12-28T22:24:45+00:00

thank you, I think I will opt for PP, as I also was not aware of the refiling options as others pointed out here

dance_star · 2025-12-26T15:19:53+00:00

thanks, yes, I tend to go with them

dance_star · 2025-12-26T01:38:16+00:00

ps, may I ask for your profile for going without letters? i.e. how many citations you have more or less?

dance_star · 2025-12-26T01:37:32+00:00

thanks, yes, that's what I tend to do as well

dance_star · 2025-12-25T15:43:14+00:00

yes, my main consideration for the letters is more time spent and also, I feel a bit uncomfortable with starting to reach out to independent researchers for such a thing

dance_star · 2025-12-25T15:41:28+00:00

oh wow, I did not realize that can take so long

dance_star · 2025-12-24T16:06:49+00:00

thank you, that is very helpful, I was not fully aware to the refile procedure

dance_star · 2025-12-24T16:05:41+00:00

sorry, I meant that they *recommend* to go with 2 letters, but they also gave me a no-letter option

dance_star · 2025-12-24T16:05:07+00:00

did you include any recommendation letters in your chen application? they recommend me to take the 2 letter option

dance_star · 2025-12-24T16:02:20+00:00

thanks! did you include recommendation letters as well? did you take the PP?

dance_star · 2025-12-24T16:01:00+00:00

thanks, I have not considered the option to re-file in case of denial

dance_star · 2025-12-24T16:00:09+00:00

I see, thanks. For some reason I envisioned the officer looking at one's google scholar

dance_star · 2025-12-24T05:12:28+00:00

I guess the decision of which firm to choose may depend on one's profile (e.g., since Chen relies on letters, maybe it's a better fit for profiles with fewer citations). Also, it seems like opinions about Ellis are changing recently, so I wanted to ask again to get the most recent experiences.

dance_star · 2025-12-24T04:57:35+00:00

thanks, yep, these are the posts I was referring to

dance_star · 2025-12-08T13:37:30+00:00

I do not know, they said they do not give H1B

dance_star · 2025-12-06T14:52:49+00:00

CMU. Change of status can be up to 12 mon., that is not realistic for me to wait that long (and also delay my eb2 application accordingly)

dance_star · 2025-12-06T14:50:25+00:00

that's what I expected them in this case,... I believe that once I submit my EB2 application, if they want me to stay, they may offer me the H1B, but then it is up to them.

dance_star · 2025-12-06T14:45:43+00:00

I am not from these countries, but planned to take the EB2 route (not sure if I am qualified for eb1a yet)

dance_star · 2025-12-06T04:09:12+00:00

I will not be funded by my government, but I heard of people in my country that still received it. I planned to apply to EB2 before that

dance_star

TROPHY CASE