Form I-485J Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Job Offers and Portability
If you are pursuing an employment-based green card through your employer’s filing of Form I-140, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may require you to submit Form I-485 Supplement J to confirm that you have a valid job offer. However, if you file your Form I-140 and Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) at the same time, this supplement is not required.
Form I-485 Supplement J, officially titled Confirmation of Bona Fide Job Offer or Request for Job Portability Under INA Section 204(j), plays an essential role in demonstrating either the legitimacy of your employment offer or your eligibility to transfer to a new, comparable position. Before this form was introduced, USCIS typically required applicants to submit employer job offer letters. Today, Supplement J is the standard method of proving job offer validity or requesting portability rights.
At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys help applicants navigate the complexities of Form I-485J by guiding them through the requirements, documentation, and best practices for achieving a smooth approval.
Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility
Form I-485J is used by USCIS to confirm that you hold a legitimate job offer for your employment-based green card application. Specifically, it applies if you are filing Form I-485 as the principal beneficiary of an approved or pending Form I-140 petition in a visa category that requires a job offer.
It is also the required form to request job portability under INA Section 204(j), allowing you to transition to a new, full-time, permanent position that is considered “substantially similar” to your original role.
⚠️ Important: Applicants filing Form I-485 based on an EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) or EB-1 Extraordinary Ability petition are exempt from filing Supplement J, since those categories do not require a job offer.
I-485J Processing Time
Processing times vary depending on USCIS workload and case specifics. On average, Form I-485J takes 8 to 14 months to process. Approval of the form affirms that you can continue to work in the U.S. while your I-485 Adjustment of Status application is pending.
I-140 Delays and Requests for Evidence (RFEs)
If USCIS experiences significant delays in adjudicating your I-140 petition, they may issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) to confirm that your job offer is still valid. In such cases, filing Form I-485J is necessary. Failure to respond properly to an RFE could result in denial of both your I-140 and your pending I-485.
When to File Form I-485J
You may need to submit Form I-485J in the following scenarios:
- New job with the same employer: If your role changes from what was originally listed in the I-140 petition, USCIS may require Form I-485J.
- New job with a different employer: Under job portability provisions, you can request to transfer to a new employer if the job is substantially similar.
- Pending I-485 for 180+ days: If your adjustment of status application has been pending for at least 180 days, you may use Form I-485J to request portability to a new role.
What Does “Substantially Similar Job” Mean?
Under the American Competitiveness in the 21st Century Act (AC21), USCIS considers a job “substantially similar” if at least 51% of the duties and responsibilities overlap with those of your original role.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Form I-485 Supplement J
Below is an overview of the sections included in Supplement J:
Part 1. Reason for Filing
Select whether you are:
- Confirming that the original job offer (listed on Form I-140) is still valid, or
- Requesting job portability under INA Section 204(j) for a new, permanent, full-time position.
Part 2. Applicant Information
Provide your personal details, including:
- Full name and mailing address
- Alien registration number (if applicable)
- USCIS online account number (if applicable)
- Date and country of birth
- Form I-485 receipt number and filing date
- Form I-140 receipt number
- Status of your Form I-140 approval
Part 3. Applicant’s Statement and Signature
Certify your understanding of the form, provide your contact details, and sign to confirm accuracy.
Part 4. Preparer’s Information (If Applicable)
If someone helped you complete the form, such as a preparer or representative, their details and signature must be included here.
Part 5. Employer Information
Identify whether your employer is a business entity or an individual, and provide their mailing address and organizational details.
Part 6. Job Offer Information
The employer must confirm details about your offered position, including:
- Job title and occupational classification code (SOC code)
- Description of duties
- Full-time or permanent status
- Worksite address
- Offered wage
Part 7. Employer/Authorized Signatory Statement
The employer or authorized signatory must complete this certification, affirming their understanding of the form’s contents.
Part 8. Preparer’s Information (If Different from Employer)
If someone other than the employer completed the supplement, their information should be provided here.
Part 9. Additional Information
Use this section to provide any extra information or clarifications.
Why Work with Green Card Link?
Successfully filing Form I-485J is crucial for securing your employment-based green card or transferring your job under portability provisions. At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys are highly experienced in handling I-485J filings, RFEs, and complex employment-based immigration cases. They provide personalized guidance to ensure your petition is accurate, complete, and aligned with USCIS requirements.
📞 Schedule a consultation today with an immigration attorney at Green Card Link to safeguard your adjustment of status process and maximize your chances of approval.
I-485J Frequently Asked Questions
Form I-485J is an important step in the employment-based green card process. Below are some of the most common questions applicants have about Supplement J. At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys are committed to guiding you through this process and helping you avoid unnecessary mistakes.
What is Form I-485J?
Form I-485J, also known as Supplement J, is used to confirm that an employment-based green card applicant has a valid, bona fide job offer. It applies to individuals who have already filed or currently have a pending Form I-485 as the principal beneficiary of an approved or pending Form I-140. In addition, this form can be used to request job portability under INA section 204(j), allowing applicants to transfer to a new full-time, permanent job in the same or similar occupational classification.
Is Form I-485J mandatory?
Yes, in most cases. When an applicant files a new Form I-485 based on a pending or approved Form I-140, Supplement J is required to confirm the continuing job offer. However, there are exceptions—applicants filing under an EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) or EB-1 Extraordinary Ability petition are not required to submit Supplement J because these categories do not require a permanent job offer.
What does an I-485J approval notice mean?
An I-485J approval notice confirms that USCIS has verified the job offer as legitimate and valid. This means the applicant’s employment-based petition continues to meet the requirements for permanent residency.
How long does it take to receive a green card after I-485J approval?
Processing times vary, but on average, applicants can expect green card approval between 8 to 14 months after Supplement J approval. Typically, it takes 4 to 6 weeks for USCIS to issue the initial receipt notice. Once fully approved, USCIS will mail the applicant a Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551). Applicants can track the status of their case online or by phone using their receipt number.
Is there a filing fee for Supplement J?
No. USCIS does not charge a filing fee for submitting Form I-485J.
Will USCIS issue a receipt notice for I-485J?
Yes. USCIS issues a receipt notice once Form I-485J has been filed. The timeline for receiving this notice depends on whether the form was submitted concurrently with Form I-485 or later in the process. Once the notice is received, the receipt number can be used to track case status through the USCIS Case Status Online portal.
How can I track the status of my Supplement J?
Yes. USCIS issues a receipt notice once Form I-485J has been filed. The timeline for receiving this notice depends on whether the form was submitted concurrently with Form I-485 or later in the process. Once the notice is received, the receipt number can be used to track case status through the USCIS Case Status Online portal.
How Green Card Link Can Help
Filing Form I-485J is a critical step in the employment-based green card process, and mistakes can cause costly delays. If you feel uncertain about preparing or submitting Supplement J on your own, the immigration attorneys at Green Card Link are here to assist. With their experience and knowledge of complex immigration procedures, they can help ensure your case proceeds smoothly and avoid potential obstacles. Schedule a consultation today to take the next step toward your U.S. permanent residency.