It varies based on the consulate that will process your relatives overseas.

Under current policy there is no requirement to file a "bridge" application, so you should not.

There is no blanket exception to the requirement to meet in person based on COVID. You can certainly to to India and return to the U.S.

Port to new employer by filing H1b once your 485 is pending six months.

No doubt they have some questions for you. Perhaps you immigrated improperly, or were convicted of a crime, or used a different name, or many...

You don't even need to wait till then. You could have another company file for you and port immediately. You might want to wait until at least...

Normally they notify you that you have one year to contact them. Regardless, if you are starting over again, it may indeed take many years.

If you are asking about porting, you must be in the U.S. to port. Your new employer can file an H1b for you and you are not subject to the...

Not necessarily. You can avoid problems by filing for your E2 abroad, assuming you can find a consulate to process it.

Simple. Go to Mexico for two weeks then come to the U.S.