How do you file the I-140?

Filing the I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers) is the step in which you ask the USCIS to recognize the beneficiary’s qualifications for an employment-based immigration category, such as the EB-1. The petition may be filed by a sponsoring employer or, in situations such as the EB-1A, by the applicant independently, on a self-petition basis.

The starting point is gathering the supporting documentation that establishes the applicant’s profile for the category: publications, awards, recommendation letters, and other evidence of the candidate’s achievements. Once the form is completed and the evidence is organized, the package is sent to the address indicated in the official instructions, along with the applicable fees.

• Assemble the documentation that demonstrates the profile required by the category.
• Complete the I-140 and include any supplementary forms and applicable fees.
• Submit according to USCIS instructions; some petitions can already be initiated online.

Since filing procedures and requirements change from time to time, always check the current instructions for the I-140 on the USCIS website, or consult an immigration professional before submitting your petition.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.