EB1A Self Petition Successful (FULL TIMELINE + Sharing Petition)

I did my I-140 and I-485 myself, no lawyers. Submitted each separately, but total time from I-140 submission to I-485 approval was 9.5 months.

I posted my timeline and overview in January, but finally had a chance to redact all of my personal information from my petition so that it would be easier to share. Ssend me a DM if you're interested.

MY PETITION COMES WITH NO LEGAL ADVICE AND ONLY REPRESENTS MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE!

About me: When I submitted I was a junior faculty researcher at a midwest university with an H1-B. I self-petitioned through the EB1-A pathway, I claimed to meet 7 of the extraordinary ability categories, had no RFEs, and no interview.

TIMELINE 2025-2026

• Submitted I-140 premium processing, March 18th 2025
• I-140 notice of approval, April 1st (exactly two weeks)
• Completed Medical Appointment for I-485 Submission, April 1st
• Submitted I-485 self petition EB1-A, April 14th
• Account Acceptance Notice, April 17th
• Biometrics Appointment Scheduled Notice, April 26th
• API: "IAF", "createdAt": "2025-04-18"
• Reschedule biometrics to May 1st through the online portal, April 30th (ie the next day! woohoo!)
• Biometrics Appointment Scheduled Notice, April 30th
• Biometrics Appointment, May 1st
• API: "FTA0", "createdAt": "2025-05-01"
• API: "FTA0", "createdAt": "2025-05-01"
• Travelled to Toronto for a conference on my H1-B, July 25th - August 1st
• API Silent Update August 2nd
• H1-B Renewal Submitted August 20th (to ensure I didn't fall out of status/work authorization while waiting for I-485)
• API: "FTA0", "createdAt": "2025-08-28"
• API Silent Update October (I forgot to take note of the exact date)
• API Silent Update December 19th
• API Silent Update January 8th
• Contacted a live agent through Emma - chat, January 8th. I wanted to ask about the December and January silent API updates and the live agent told me my card had been sent for production and I should have my card in hand within 30 days.
• API: "H008", "createdAt": "2026-01-09"
• I-485 Approval Notice, January 9th
• Card Arrived January 18th

The seven EB1-A, the criteria I petitioned with were: national/international awards, membership in associations, work discussed by media, judging others work, original contributions, authorship, high salary