I-140 Approved: Next Steps Toward Your Green Card (2026)
Getting your I-140 approved is a major milestone in the employment-based green card process -- but it is not the finish line. The I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers) establishes your eligibility and locks in your priority date, but most applicants still have steps remaining before receiving their green card. What happens next depends heavily on your nationality and the green card category. This guide walks through every step after I-140 approval so you know exactly where you stand and what to do next.
Frequently asked questions
How long after I-140 approval can I file I-485?
It depends on your nationality and green card category. If you are from a country with current priority dates (most nationalities other than India and China in EB-2/EB-3), you can file I-485 immediately after I-140 approval -- or even concurrently if USCIS permits concurrent filing. For Indian and Chinese nationals in EB-2 or EB-3, you must wait until your priority date becomes current in the monthly Visa Bulletin before filing I-485. Check the USCIS Visa Bulletin at travel.state.gov each month.
Does I-140 approval let my spouse work in the US?
Yes. Once your I-140 is approved, your spouse on an H-4 visa immediately becomes eligible to file for H-4 EAD (Employment Authorization Document). The H-4 EAD grants unrestricted work authorization -- your spouse can work for any employer, freelance, or start a business. H-4 EAD processing currently takes 3-9 months; file as soon as your I-140 is approved. Note that H-4 EAD must be renewed along with your H-1B extensions.
Can I change jobs after my I-140 is approved?
Changing jobs safely depends on whether your I-485 has been pending for 180 days. Before 180 days of I-485 pending (or if I-485 has not yet been filed), changing employers can affect your green card petition. After 180 days of pending I-485, AC21 portability applies -- you can change to a same or similar job without losing your green card progress or priority date. If you change employers before I-485 is filed and before the 180-day mark, your new employer may need to re-file PERM and I-140 (though your priority date from the prior approved I-140 can often be retained).
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex and situation-specific. Always consult a licensed immigration attorney before making decisions about your immigration status.