Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
An advanced degree PERM approved. We then filed the I-140 for Veterinarian under Premium Processing. It was approved in just over 24 hours. You may use Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, to ask USCIS to classify a noncitizen as eligible for an immigrant visa based on employment. The employer generally files Form I-140 for the noncitizen. An I-140 petition, or Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, is filed to petition an alien worker to become a permanent resident in the United States. The I-140 is not the final application for Permanent Residency. Rather, it represents the University’s petition to retain an international employee indefinitely. Approval of the I-140 gives. YOU, the international employee, a valid basis on which you can apply for a Legal Permanent Residence.
I-140 Approved in Just Over 24 Hours — What It Means and What to Do Next
An I-140 approval in roughly 24 hours is uncommon but possible. This is usually the result of premium processing, a streamlined adjudication request, or an unusually fast USCIS workload window. Regardless, fast approval is great news. However, it also creates immediate tactical choices and deadlines you should not ignore.
Why it matters
- The I-140 approval secures your priority date, which controls visa availability for employment-based green cards.
- It confirms USCIS accepted the employer’s ability-to-pay and the beneficiary’s qualifications — core building blocks for I-485 or consular processing.
Immediate next steps
- Get the written approval notice (Form I-797) and save certified copies in the beneficiary’s file.
- Confirm the priority date on the I-140 and check the current Visa Bulletin. This is to see when the beneficiary can file I-485 (adjustment) or begin consular processing.
- Discuss filing strategy with counsel: if the priority date is current, decide whether to file I-485 now. Or, opt for consular processing depending on status, work-authorization needs, and timing.
- Prepare I-485 package (if eligible): medical exam, evidence of continuous status, updated employment verification, and civil documents.
Practical cautions
- Fast I-140 approval does not prevent an RFE or Notice of Intent to Deny on related filings (I-485, I-131, I-765). Therefore, keep documents current and ready.
- If premium processing was used, remember USCIS’s expedited window may mean less time to correct mistakes later. Therefore, double-check all supporting evidence.
- Employer obligations matter: the job offer must remain valid. The employer must maintain the ability to pay from the priority date forward.
Portability & future moves
- Once the I-140 is approved and an I-485 has been pending 180+ days, AC21 portability may allow a job change to a “same or similar” position. Thus, plan moves carefully with counsel.
Want help? We can obtain certified notices, confirm Visa Bulletin timing, prepare I-485/consular packets, and build quick-response exhibit bundles for any RFEs. Schedule a case review so you don’t miss critical deadlines after this fast approval. Schedule a Consultation or Call (562) 495-0554