EB-3 AOS Approved: Chinese-Born Canadian RN Cross-Charge to Canada Experience

A Chinese-born Canadian registered nurse (RN) recently received approval for her EB-3 Adjustment of Status (AOS) case, sharing a detailed account of her immigration journey on Reddit. The applicant utilized a cross-charge to Canada strategy, which allowed her to avoid the longer backlogs associated with China-born applicants under the standard EB-3 quota. Her employer sponsored her I-140 petition, which was approved within 10 days of filing in April 2023. The timeline spanned nearly three years due to visa retrogression. After filing her I-485 in late April 2023 and receiving Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and Advance Parole (AP) within 4-6 months, the case stalled during a retrogression period from May 2023 to November 2025. Her priority date became current again in December 2025, triggering interview scheduling in early January 2026. The USCIS interview, conducted on February 24, 2026, was described as relaxed and conversational. The interviewer had reviewed the file the day prior and confirmed the interview was triggered solely because the couple had been married less than one year at the time of I-485 filing — a common flag in the system. Only two substantive questions were asked: how the couple met and their marriage date. The case was approved the same day, with green card production confirmed within 30 minutes of leaving the office. For EB-3 applicants preparing for interviews, this case highlights the value of thorough document preparation even when items may not ultimately be requested. The applicant brought updated medical exams, tax records, photos, and insurance documents per the interview notice, though none were needed. Interviewers may flag cases for reasons unrelated to case merit, and a well-organized file can significantly streamline the interview process. This approval is notable for EB-3 applicants of Chinese birth currently navigating cross-charge strategies and AOS retrogression. It demonstrates that cross-charging to a country of chargeability with shorter wait times — such as Canada for applicants born in China — remains a viable path, particularly for healthcare workers sponsored under EB-3.