Do I understand correctly that filing the I-485 concurrently with the I-140 is one joint filing, not two separate filings? I can’t figure out whether they need to be sent separately or if they should go together in the same envelope. I’m getting confused about this while preparing the documents.
Concurrent filing means one package, one address, one mailing date. The I-140 and I-485 are placed in the same envelope and sent together. The risk is that if the I-140 is denied you lose $1,225 for the I-485 — that fee isn’t refunded. I thought for a long time about filing together or waiting for the I-140 approval separately; in the end I decided not to take the risk.
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If you do decide on concurrent filing, you can also add Form I-765 for a work permit (EAD) and Form I-131 for advance parole to that package — then you’ll be waiting simultaneously for the I-140 approval and the work authorization. The filing address for that is different from a standalone I-140 — USCIS has a separate section with direct filing addresses specifically for I-485 filed with an I-140; that’s where you need to check.
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Yeah, everything in one envelope with the same date — I submitted it like that a year and a half ago, don’t worry )
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