The below phases may be filed at the same time depending on the date your PERM was filed with the Department of Labor. Please contact our office for more information.
I-140 Phase
Once the Department of Labor has certified the University’s PERM application for your position, the I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) may be filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This petition is filed by the University and typically does not require any information or documentation from you.
If the I-140 is approved, you will be eligible for an immigrant visa once the visa number is available through the U.S. Department of State. As you may know, the availability and wait time for visas depends on your birth country. Please check the current visa bulletin at the U.S. Department of State website for more information regarding availability and wait times.
I-485 Phase
Once your birth country category is “current” on the visa bulletin, you will be able to proceed with the final step in the permanent residence process which is the I-485 application (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status). When it is time to file the I-485 application, our office will e-mail you in order to get any required documentation that is missing from your file. Additionally, any spouse or child that will also be filing for an adjustment of status based on your permanent residence petition will also need to fill out a Questionnaire.
Please note: As of April 27, 2018, USCIS will use the U.S. Postal Service’s Signature Confirmation Restricted Delivery service to mail Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards), Employment Authorization Cards (EAD) and Travel Booklets. You, your spouse, and dependent(s) will be required to present identification to sign for your documents upon delivery. Any undeliverable permanent residents cards, EADs and/or advance parole documents will be destroyed by USCIS after 60 business days. Please remember to update your mailing address with USCIS within ten (10) days of moving.