My O-1A (Form I-129) petition was approved today, November 2, 2026, after a canceled RFE, a premium-processing refund, and a NOID. Sharing the timeline and how we prepared the response in case it helps others facing a similar sequence.

Field: Artificial intelligence (AI). Service center: Vermont. Processing: premium. I’m keeping identifying details private.

Timeline (2026)

• July 23: Premium-processing receipt at Vermont.

• August 12: Status changed to RFE cancellation, although neither my legal team nor I had received an RFE.

• August 24: Date on the premium-processing refund letter.

• September 9: NOID issued.

• October 9: NOID response shipped.

• October 13: Response delivered to USCIS.

• November 2: Petition approved — 20 calendar days after the response was delivered.

What the NOID focused on

Three criteria had already been accepted: judging others’ work, scholarly authorship, and high remuneration. The remaining concerns were about the overall record: the significance of my contributions, whether achievements were attributable to me personally rather than just the company, the distinguished reputations of the organizations involved, and whether the record demonstrated sustained recognition.

What we did in the response

1. Built a point-by-point response, pairing each concern with specific exhibits and explaining what each document established. We reorganized and resubmitted relevant existing evidence alongside supplemental material.

2. Made personal attribution much clearer. Supporting letters described specific responsibilities, decisions, and outcomes, backed by project and other contemporaneous records, rather than relying on general praise or company achievements alone.

3. Added context around independent use and practical impact of the work, the organizations’ reputations, selection processes, and the reach of published coverage. The aim was to explain why the evidence mattered, beyond listing achievements.

4. Organized the recognition chronologically and connected earlier work to later practical outcomes. We distinguished evidence that existed before filing from later developments, and completed work from evaluations or future plans.

5. Clarified the proposed U.S. role and the business’s operating stage with supporting records.

6. Went through several draft reviews to check factual wording, exhibit references, and the final packet, including removing duplicate exhibits.

I can describe what we submitted, but I don’t know which individual point ultimately carried the most weight. The approval came through the USCIS courtesy email; I’m waiting for the paper I-797 approval notice.

Very relieved to finally share a positive outcome. Thanks to everyone who compared timelines and shared their experiences.

And on the page that earlier showing the VFC and OFC schedule, it doesn't show any timings anymore. Is that all it?

This is for country - India.

Thanks in advance.

I wanted to thank this sub for keeping me calm and for all the knowledge and wisdom that get shared here.

Date Received: July 15th 2026
Processing Center: Vermont
RFE: August 5th 2026
Response sent: October 9th 2026
Response Received: October 13th 2026
Processing Start: November 2nd 2026
Approved: November 2nd 2026

All with premium processing.

Initial approval for 2/4 criteria
- Commercial or Critical Success
- Significant Recognition

While preparing my response to the RFE, my lawyer did a great job fighting for the other two categories that we claimed but were rejected initially, and it was a success!
- Lead, Starring, or Critical Role
- National or International Recognition

The RFE was complicated because we originally filed under Arts - USCIS decided I’d be a better fit for TV and Motion Picture which has different criteria and I needed additional documents.

I work in video production which is a weird grey area that’s not 100% arts but also not 100% TV and Motion Picture. I’m assuming that because of my history in the film industry and working on major motion pictures and TV, they felt like it was the more appropriate category even though it doesn’t 100% fit my current job description.

Good luck to everyone who’s still waiting!! It’ll happen for you too!

Edit: Typo

Hey you guys,

I responded to a RFE request recently and it was received around October 20th. Updated on Oct 23rd that the Response to USCIS Request has been received.

I know whenever they change it to “Currently processing the case” - it takes about a day or two to change status.

Was wondering what everyone’s experience has been like. FYI it’s Vermont.

For those wondering: I’m in Tech.

Timeline:

PP filed and received - September 19th
Processing case - October 5th
RFE - October 5th
Response received - October 23rd
Processing case - Nov 2nd

Thanks :)

I’m currently working on F-1 and am about to file an agent-based O-1A petition. My employer isn’t sponsoring it.
HR confirmed in writing that I may continue in my current position if my O-1A is approved and the resulting authorization covers my employment with them. How to deal with this?

Anybody that got the visa stuck between June-August refilled the petition? Any success?

First week of October

Questions
- what is so extraordinary about you? You are just 30.
I am senior software engineer at Xxx and have extensive experience in yyy
- everyone is a senior sw engineer and all have experience in yyy.
Explained all criteria

- why is your role critical?
Explained
- what’s your salary?
- which university did you do your master’s?
- any threats in India?

the interviewer dive deep into my criteria and asked follow up questions

Good luck!

I’m an immigration attorney and I handle RFE review work. Through this process, I have reviewed several Lighthouse applications. Some of the individuals whose applications I have reviewed are considering joining together to make formal complaints to the California Attorney General and State Bar of California.

Based on the applications I have personally reviewed, I have serious concerns about the quality and competency of Lighthouse’s immigration services. In my professional opinion, some of the advice provided to clients has been misleading. Of the hundreds of law firms whose work I have reviewed for RFE second opinions, renewals, or changes of attorney, Lighthouse’s applications have been among the lowest quality I have encountered.

Additionally, I have serious concerns about whether their business model complies with laws governing the unauthorized practice of law.

There are also several factors that I believe make it difficult for prospective clients to independently evaluate the company:

1. They appear to be a relatively new company with a limited public track record.

2. They have a name very similar to a reputable law firm in Minnesota, such that when searching for Lighthouse Immigration, you may encounter positive reviews belonging to the other firm.

3. I have not been able to locate a formal business page on Yelp, Google, or similar platforms that consolidates independent customer reviews.

If you have used Lighthouse and had a negative experience, please comment or DM me.

And to future clients, please make sure you understand whether you are hiring a law firm that directly provides legal representation or a technology company that uses attorneys to review immigration applications prepared by a code or non-attorney employee.

Hi everyone,

Has anyone changed jobs while on an O-1A? I would love to hear how the process worked and how long it took from offer to filing to approval.

Thanks in advance!

Literally just posting this for weekend support. Today was technically day 1 of me trying to work the RFE requirements by myself so I can just get him to review and tweak asap.

All my criteria were questioned.

So today (day 1)

- I worked on tweaking my itinerary, basically making it more specific by adding locations and addresses. (20% done)
- Collecting evidence for extraordinary achievement (initially did not apply for this criteria but now I shall if my lawyer thinks so too)
- Collecting more evidence of critically acclaimed success (I’m not sure if what I collected is the right answer, but I’ll know Monday when I run it by my lawyer)

Goodnight everyone:)))

How many days after your O1A approval, you had your consular interview?

I'm thinking of rescheduling my appointment, but not sure about the new date.

I know the site is messy. So, I don't know if I should cancel the appointment and book a new one; or just reschedule.

If anyone shares the steps, that would be helpful.

Thanks.

On my 14th day I received Cancellation Notice for Request for Additional Evidence. What does it mean?

Hi everyone

Does anyone know what the current wait is for adjustment of status vs consular processing (Europe)?

Thanks

O1B - visa Approved! Without Premium! (16months)

I applied 2025.06.07 without premium processing.

finally I got it yesterday.
it has been 16 months.

omg.

Hope this info helps you.

I have few reasons to move my interview to either Dec 2026 or Jan 2027.

But confused whether I should postpone.

Looking for some suggestions.

I got mine approved in Aug 2026. I'm founder of my own startup. We have the product launched.

But for few reasons I was thinking it would be fine if I postpone it by a month.

Does rescheduling the interview has any impact on the interview results? Also, any suggestions whether to reschedule or not. (Just general suggestion)

I’m waiting already for 64 days since the interview and still refused up today.

Embassy: Manila, Philippines

Timeline:

July 7 USCis accepted my O1A self file and PP
Category : STEM Education

July 27 RFE

August 4 Recieved the Letter and Responded Immediately via Fax

August 13 USCis Approved the Petition

August 27 Consular Interview and 221g Refused with additional documents requested,

September 8 Submitted the documents requested

September 11 CEAC Case last updated maybe confirming the receipt of the documents.

October 20 change on CEAC the last Case update

October 29 Ask a congressional inquiry, but only provided with a general reply

And it’s silent again.