Work Your Way to a Green Card: Mastering the I-140 Petition

What Is Form I-140 and Why It Matters for Your Green Card

Form I-140 is the official USCIS petition that starts your journey toward an employment-based green card in the United States.

Quick answer for those ready to act:

What it is: Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, is filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to classify a foreign national for permanent residence based on employment.

Who files it:

• A U.S. employer (for most categories)

• The worker themselves (for EB-1A Extraordinary Ability or EB-2 National Interest Waiver)

Key employment-based categories:

EB-1 (Priority Workers):

• EB-1A - Aliens of Extraordinary Ability

• EB-1B - Outstanding Professors and Researchers

• EB-1C - Multinational Executives and Managers

EB-2 (Advanced Degree or Exceptional Ability):

• Standard EB-2 (requires PERM labor certification)

• EB-2 NIW - National Interest Waiver (no labor cert needed)

EB-3 (Skilled and Other Workers):

• Skilled Workers (2+ years training/experience)

• Professionals (bachelor’s degree)

• Other (Unskilled) Workers

Current filing fee: $715 base fee (plus applicable Asylum Program Fee)

Premium processing: Available for $2,805 — guarantees USCIS action within 15 calendar days

Average processing time: About 4 to 6 months without premium processing

Getting a green card through work is one of the most powerful paths to permanent residency in the U.S. But it’s also one of the most document-heavy, detail-driven processes in immigration law. One wrong move — an expired labor certification, a missing signature, a vague job description — can set you back months or even years.

At Guerra Bravo Law Firm, we’ve helped countless workers and employers navigate this process. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about filing Form I-140 — from eligibility and evidence to fees, timelines, and what happens after approval.