Sophie Zhang Teamat Reid & Wise · Immigration

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✦ Insights

Briefings & analysis
on U.S. immigration.

A small selection of recent posts from the Sophie Zhang Team's policy and practice briefings. Topics range from USCIS adjudication trends to lottery results, fee changes, and case-strategy guidance for founders, investors, and exceptional-ability candidates.

Guide
Your Priority Date Is Current: How to File the I-485 With Confidence
A current Dates for Filing chart does not mean the green card is secure. The I-485 requires a review of your status history, tailored evidence, and a plan for work permits, advance parole, and travel. Here is what to prepare before you file.
October 9, 2026
Regulatory update
Your Date Is Current, Now What? A Five-Year Look at EB-1 and NIW Priority Dates
In October 2026 the window to file I-485s widened for EB-1 and NIW applicants born in mainland China. We look back at five years of visa bulletin movement and explain how to prepare for the next step.
September 30, 2026
Case insight
A Critical Step for Academic EB-1A Applicants: The Hidden Standard Behind the “Three Out of Ten” Checklist
FY2025 EB-1A approvals fell quarter by quarter while RFEs climbed. Meeting three of ten criteria no longer wins the case: the Final Merits step asks what the record proves as a whole. What academic applicants must show about original contributions of major significance.
August 14, 2026

These summaries are general; your circumstances may differ. For situation-specific advice, please reach out.

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