Interfiling - transfer the underlying basis of form I-485

You may be eligible to request to transfer the underlying basis of your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to a different employment-based immigrant category based on another Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers. USCIS may, in its discretion, grant a transfer request, if:

  • You have continuously maintained eligibility for adjustment of status;
  • Your adjustment of status application based on the original Form I-140 is still pending;
  • You are eligible for the new immigrant category; and
  • You have a visa immediately available in the new immigrant category.

EB3 to EB2 interfile after using Advance parole

Question details

My current stamped visa has expired, I've received EAD & Advance parole (EB3) which is valid till July 2023. I'm still on H1B and haven't used EAD or advance parole. I've a 4 days closed loop cruise trip planned from Florida to the Bahamas. I would be using my advance parole to re-enter the country. If I use advance parole (EB3) to re-enter the country , can I interfile in EB2? Would using advance parole (EB3) to re-enter the country change my status to immigrant and impact my ability to iterfile in EB2?

Read my comment on my blog. The USCIS has said they will permit interfiling even after reentry on advance parole.

FAQ Transcript

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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Interfiling - The downgraded EB-3 I-140 amendment is still pending?

Question details

Hello Rajivji, Following up on the above question: if the downgraded EB3 140 amendment petition is not yet approved, could we then interfile with the previously approved EB2 140? Since the EB3 140 filed as an amendment is not yet approved, is the previously approved EB2 140 still active and valid? If so, can we use it for interfiling? What is the right thing to do? Please advise. Appreciate your guidance!

I see no problem with interfiling as long as the 140 amendment is not approved (it should have been filed as a "new petition"). You need your lawyers' review and the final decision, but legally, I see no issue.

FAQ Transcript

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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

I-485 interfiling to use EB-2 instead of EB-3 with a new employer

Question details

I'm an Indian national living in the USA.

1) Employer A filed I-140 (EB2) which got approved with a PD: AUG-2014.
2) I switched jobs from A to Employer B.
2. a) Employer B concurrently filed I-140(EB3) and I-485/765/131. This wasn't a downgrade from EB2 to EB3. This I-140 also got approved and able to port PD: AUG-2014. Also I-765/131 got approved. But I never used them.
3)I switched jobs from B to Employer C.
3. a) Employer C only filed H1B and I-485J.

Currently, with Employer C and my EB2 final action date became current(As per the June visa bulletin). Now I technically have tw
o approved 140s(One in EB2 and the other in EB3)

Questions:
1) Can employer C do a I-485 interfiling to use I-140 (EB2) instead EB3?
2) Since my PD became current in EB2, What would be the best option for me so that I get my 485 adjudicated sooner and get the GC.

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FAQ Transcript

1. The reply is “No”. They cannot because employer B’s EB-3 was inherited by employer C, and you never filed a I-485 so that cannot be used.

2. Either go back to the first employer if they have a job offer. You can actually apply for a I485 without joining but this should be discussed with your lawyers in detail. Hence you could file for a I-485 based upon the job offer and I-140 which was approved through employer A but if you want to stick with employer C either you stick with EB-3 or you start another PERM application through them for your EB-2 categorization.

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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

EB-3 to EB-2 interfiling after using Advance Parole. Reverting back to EB-3 if needed

Question details

I have a question about Interfiling my GC case. My Priority Date (Aug 2014) is current in the June Visa Bulletin. I'm planning to go to India this month and return back next month. While coming back I will use my AP for POE and also My wife is already using EAD and AP.

1) Can I interfile if I use AP for entering the USA?
2) Can I go back to EB3 if the EB2 date is retrogressive?

Video URL
FAQ Transcript

1. The answer is yes. USCIS has made it clear that even if you have used the advanced parole the center will still allow you to do your interfiling as long as the dates for final action dates are current. Please refer the blog for more information: https://immigration.com/blogs

2. According to the USCIS you may only do so once. Although I don't know why I think it's improper enforcement of law and procedure but that's what the USCIS has said. Therefore, it is still possible, but you cannot interfile. However, in my view you can always file another I-485 to also activate the EB-3 from which you have already taken out the pre-existing I-485. Hence, I do not see any problem with filing a second I-485.

 

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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Recording of June 9, 2022, Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)

FAQs: Traveled on Advance Parole - Maintaining H-1B status without going for stamping and filing multiple I-485 or Interfiling || Green card application for parents during tourist visa || How are PERM minimum job requirements determined? || Extending or Renewing F-1 student visa risks and requirements || Various Interfiling Issues ||

Traveled on Advance Parole - Maintaining H-1B status without going for stamping and filing multiple I-485 or Interfiling

Question details

I entered USA on AP (EB3 EAD), I have a valid H1B I-797A till May 2024 I have approved EB2 I-140 I also have RFE on my EB3 I-140 (EAD and AP received on EB3 filing)
1) How can I get back on H-1B status without going for stamping?
2) Can I interfile my EB3 485 to EB2 485 with pending EB3 I-140
 

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FAQ Transcript

Since you have already entered and resumed the same job you are still considered to be on H-1B. There is nothing to get back to.
Yes, you can. Although you have traveled on advance parole you should be able to file EB-2 interfiling. 
For more information you can also visit my blog:
https://immigration.com/blogs/adjustment-status-transferring-basis-i-48…
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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

EB-3 to EB-2 downgrade I-140 as amendment, not new I-140

Question details

Hello Rajivji, in other question, you mentioned you can not interfile as EB2 is converted to EB3. Can you please help clarify? Employer 1: PD April 2013, EB2 Employer 2: EB2 in Jun 2019 in Oct 2020, Downgraded to EB3 as amendment I-140 and this EB3 I-140 is approved, I got EAD/AP too. I interfiled with 485J in March 2022. Would my interfile be accepted? if no- what are my options? I don't want to stuck in EB3 for next 5-10 years! Thanks for your help.

When an I-140 downgrade to EB-3 has been filed as an amendment instead of a new case, to get back into the EB-2 category, you have to file a new I-140 using the same PERM application. If the dates are current, you can concurrently file for adjustment of status.

FAQ Transcript

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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Interfiling - EB-2 to EB-3 downgrade as per the amendment. Can I now interfile?

Question details

My EB-2 was downgraded to EB-3 in Oct 2020 and the attorney marked the amended box ( "To amend a previously filed petition") as checked.

Timeline:

I received the EAD combo card in Dec 2021. Changed the Employer (though transferred H-1) using AC21 after way more than 180 days of pending 485

My PD is June 30, 2012 Now that EB3 is retrogressed and stuck in Jan 2012., I wanted to know

1. If I interfile EB2. Will it be rejected as the amended box was checked when downgraded?

2. If we interfile, will there be an impact on the EB-3, in case they reject it

3. What is the best way now to have both EB-2 and EB-3 run side by side. What is the fastest way to get to GC in my case?

 

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FAQ Transcript

1. First of all you cannot interfile because you are not with that employer who holds your EB-2 I-140. Regarding rejection, you are right.

2. It could be.

3.Have your new employer start a new case. Start from PERM upwards.

 

 

Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, this is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.