Form I-140

I-140 Petition and Inability to Pay

Question details

What is the process for responding to USCIS’ concern about inability to pay in an I-140 petition?

According to USCIS, a letter is acceptable from a financial officer validating 100 employees and ability to pay. However, further information can be requested in case there are other reasons that show an inability to pay. Please keep in mind the employer in the RFE should be given the reason for the request. It is also important to know that USCIS might take the letter from the financial officer due to discretion.

I-140 Evidence for Ability to Pay

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What kind of evidence is acceptable to show ability to pay wages in an I-140?

The regulations state that for ability to pay wages, USCIS will accept copies of annual reports, federal tax returns, or audited financial statements. If the employer has more than 100 workers, a statement from a financial officer of the organization can be submitted to establish the ability to pay the proffered wage.

Green Card through Consular Processing with Approved I-140

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Question 1. I have done MS from US and worked on H-1 for 5 years. Started GC process, I-140 approved with Priority date May 2011. Came to India for H-1 stamping and it was denied twice. If I apply for my H-1 and if I don't get H-1, then can my employer continue processing my GC through Consular Processing when I am in India. Also is there any law stating that my employer can not keep the I-140 when my H-1 has been expired & if it so then for how long can my employer keep my I-140 active?

Question 2. If my employer revoke my I-140 & if I come to US on any other visa, then Can I process my GC and port the PD ?

Answer 1. As long as the job offer exists and the employer is capable of paying the wages, the green card process can go on, even though you are not in USA. You should discuss this matter in detail with your lawyers to better understand the implications. Also, I-140's do not expire.

Answer 2. PD can be ported even if the 140 is revoked by employer. I have a video on this issue 

I-140 Petition Through Premium Processing

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Should I file my I-140 petition through regular processing or premium processing?

Currently USCIS is accepting premium processing for certain I-140 categories. In addition to the regular filing fee, there is an additional $1,225.00 filing fee to upgrade to premium processing. If an I-140 is filed with premium processing, USCIS will issue a determination or an RFE within 15 calendar days.

Typically, these are some of the reasons when an I-140 should be filed through premium processing:
1) When an I-140 approval is needed to extend H-1 beyond the 6 years. Please see Rajiv’s blog entry for more information:

I-140, Education Foreign Degree Equivalence

The applicant completed a three-year Diploma in Computer Engineering from an accredited institution in India (Government Polytechnic Mumbai). The applicant was then directly admitted to the second year Bachelor of Engineering (B.E) program at an advanced level and completed the four-year degree B.E. program.

We provided several items of evidence that indicated that the applicant had attained the foreign equivalent of a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from an accredited U.S. college or university.

The I-140 was approved.

Profession/Occupation

Green Card

Spouse of an O-1 - next step to Green Card

Question details

I am the spouse of an O-1 visa holder and we live in the US (so I am on an O-3). His company is putting together the application for his green card, but do they need to do a separate one for me too? Or do I get one automatically if he gets one? Or do I have to wait until he gets one and then he applies for one for me? And what about our children - too young to work yet, but want to make sure they are ok too.

The way it works is that the company can file everyone's AOS (Form I-485) together OR they can first get your husband's I-140 approval and leave you to file the last step (AOS) for the family.

Can I process I-140 with previous company

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I got I-140 cleared through current company and labor approved from previous company. Can I process I-140 through previous company (to get PD to 2008)?

Yes, but only if the labor cert is still not time barred (within 180 days of its approval); the employer still has the intention to hire you some time before or after the approval of your green card; and you have the good faith intention of joining them.