An immigrant recently shared their National Interest Waiver (NIW) I-485 approval timeline on the 1Point3Acres forum, detailing the significant milestones in their application process. The application was approved on February 11, 2026, after a series of updates and checks spanning several years.
Key Details:
- Priority Date (PD): December 2020
- Receipt Date (RD): July 3, 2025
- Fingerprint Appointment: July 30, 2025
- API Update: October 18, 2025, indicating assignment to an officer
- Final Approval Notification: February 11, 2026, received via email
The immigrant expressed relief at the approval after an 11-year wait in the U.S., allowing them to travel back to their home country and alleviating concerns about H-1B extensions. They noted that their case was straightforward, having worked in the industry without sensitive employment issues, and managed the I-485 application process independently to save costs. This experience highlights the potential for successful outcomes in the NIW process, encouraging others in similar situations.
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Source: astroboy