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What happens after my I-140 is approved?

Author

James Craig

Published Jan 11, 2026

If AOS is filed as a standalone, ​then after your I-140 approval, you must wait for your priority date to be current as per the Visa Bulletin to file your adjustment of status I-485 (and of any dependents). This could take a few months to several years. The current priority dates can be found ​here​.

What does it mean when I-140 is approved?

The 1-140 is not the final application for Permanent Residency; rather, it represents the. University's petition to retain an international employee indefinitely. Approval of the I-140 gives. YOU, the international employee, a valid basis on which you can apply for a Legal Permanent. Residence.

How long does it take to get a visa after I-140 approval?

USCIS processing time for an I-140 Petition is typically four to six months. However, for an additional filing fee, the USCIS will adjudicate the petition via “premium processing” (15 calendar days).

Can you stay in US after I-140 approval?

If your family member or employer has merely started the process off for you, by filing what's known as a petition (typically on USCIS Form I-130 or I-140), that's not enough. A pending or approved petition from a U.S. sponsor gives you no rights to come to or remain in the United States.

What are the benefits of I-140 approval?

In this situation, I-140 premium processing would potentially provide an advantage to the long-time H1B worker, as well as to the H1B employer. By gaining the I-140 approval, one is able to obtain the H1B extension for three years. This is more advantageous than one-year H1B extensions in terms of expense and effort.

40 related questions found

How long does EAD take after I-140?

Since the EAD card can normally be obtained within three months, and the immigrant visa interview may not occur for more than a year after the I-140 is filed, this can result in a considerable delay in obtaining employment authorization for family members.

How long is I-140 valid?

You must submit the labor certification with the Form I-140 during the 180-day validity period annotated at the bottom of every page of the labor certification.

Can I-485 be denied after I-140 approval?

USCIS can only transfer the I-485 if a visa number is available for that I-140 petition. Therefore, when the extraordinary ability I-140 is denied, and the national interest I-140 is approved but the priority date is not current, the I-485 will be denied.

What is the next step after I-485 approval?

Upon approval, the applicant is mailed a Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card. The date the Form I-485 is approved becomes the date of adjustment, which in turn determines how soon the newly adjusted Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) may apply for U.S. citizenship. Permanent Resident Cards are valid for ten years.

How long I-485 takes after I-140 approval?

You can expect the total I-485 processing time to be at least 8 to 14 months. It may take four to six weeks for USCIS to accept your application and send you a confirmation receipt. You then will receive notice of your biometrics appointment, which you must attend.

How can I check I-140 approval date?

You can track your I-140 status by calling 1 (800) 375-5283. Make sure you have your case number ready!

Can we file I-140 and 485 together?

In July 2002, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) created a rule that allows "concurrent filing" of the I-140 Petition for Alien Worker and the I-485 Adjustment of Status Application (green card application).

Where will my i-485 be processed?

What is the processing procedure for I-485? Initial processing of the application takes place at a USCIS Lockbox Facility or a service center. After the application has been filed, the applicant will next hear from the USCIS when a fingerprinting notice is sent.

How long does it take to get EAD after filing I-485?

You'll receive your EAD card approximately 12-16 weeks after filing Form I-485.

How long does it take to receive the green card after I-485 approval?

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A GREEN CARD? After filing Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status, and related forms, your I-485 processing time can take anywhere from 8 to 14 months. The basis of your adjustment of status (e.g. family, employment, asylum, etc.) will be a significant factor.

Can I-485 without interview?

After you file a form I-485 green card application for permanent residence, you may receive a notice in the mail from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) advising you that you are required to attend an interview at the local USCIS district office where you will be questioned by an immigration officer.

What is my immigration status while I-485 is pending?

If you have filed Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status, you generally are not confined by the restrictions on your non-immigrant visa. You have the right to remain in the United States while the application is pending. As an F-1 student, you could potentially drop out of school.

How do I withdraw my i-485?

Connie Kaplan. The person who signed the I-130/I-864 can write a letter withdrawing them. The person who signed the I-485 can write a letter withdrawing it.

Can you get EAD before I-140 approval?

A: Yes, the USCIS will issue the advance parole and employment authorization before they adjudicate the I-140. Q: How soon will the USCIS issue me the advance parole or employment authorization? A: It usually takes the USCIS about 3 months to issue the EAD and the advance parole.

How long does it take to get EAD 2021?

It usually takes 60-90 days to process and approve the EAD application after you have submitted an RFE response to USCIS.

How long does it take to get SSN after EAD?

You should receive your SSN card no later than 7 business days after you receive your EAD from USCIS. Please call or visit an SSA office if you do not receive your SSN card within 7 business days after receiving your EAD. Please bring this flyer and your EAD as it may help us answer your questions.

Can I change employer after I-140 approval?

You may use the approved I-140 petition to request an H-1B extension and/or change of employer as long as the I-140 remains valid. This may grant you an extension beyond the maximum six-year period of stay.

Is I-485 same as green card?

Form I-485 is officially called the “Adjustment of Status Application” and is the official green card application. Certain immigrants who are in the United States, including special immigrants like asylees, can submit an adjustment of status application to change their immigration status to a green card.

Can I change jobs 6 months after I-140 approval?

Therefore, if you are in the Green Card process and you change employers after the I-140 has been approved for 180 days or longer, you can retain your priority date and continue the Green Card process with your new employer.

How many months after I-140 approval can I switch jobs?

Because no I-485 application has been filed, an H-1B transfer petition must be filed by the new employer in order for the employee to begin work. This is where the 180-day window after I-140 approval can become important.