How long after I-140 approval can I file the I-485?

There is no fixed number of days counted from the approval date. What determines when you can file the I-485 (application to adjust status) is visa number availability – that is, your priority date being available (‘current’) according to the Visa Bulletin published by the Department of State.

If your priority date is already available when the I-140 is approved, the I-485 can be submitted shortly after. In many cases, when a visa number is available, both applications can even be filed at the same time, a practice known as concurrent filing.

Availability varies by category and country of chargeability and changes over time, so no generic timeframe can be stated. The safe approach is to check your situation with each new Visa Bulletin update.

Since every case has its own details, it is worth monitoring the Visa Bulletin and confirming updated requirements with USCIS or an immigration professional before filing.

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.