What is the typical steps for I-140 application?

An I-140 petition is the second step in the employment based Green Card process. Once your PERM Labor Certificate is approved, your employer will file a Form I-140 (known as Petition for Immigrant Worker) on your behalf. After the USCIS receives your I-140 petition packet, it will issue a Receipt Notice and assign a file number to your case. This is an acknowledgment of receipt. If USCIS accepts your petition then an Approval Notice will be issued. This means your I-140 has been approved and you can move on to the next step in your GC Process. If your PD is current, you can also file I-140 and I-485 application at the same time.

Form I-140 is filed by U.S. employers to petition for foreign workers to obtain permanent residency under certain employment-based immigrant visa categories. Therefore, generally only U.S. employers or their authorized representatives are eligible to file Form I-140.

The I-140 process involves a U.S. employer filing the Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker with USCIS on behalf of a foreign worker seeking a green card. It often requires prior labor certification from the Department of Labor. Once the I-140 is approved, the worker can apply for a green card when a visa number is available.