If I’m added as a relative to someone else’s I-485, do I then not need to file a separate petition myself? I want to understand: as a dependent on my spouse’s application, can I work while waiting for approval? Or will I still have to gather evidence and respond to an RFE separately?
A dependent on an I-485 can do without their own I-140 — a petition isn’t required. But you must file the EAD separately with Form I-765; otherwise you can’t work legally even while the case is pending.
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Exactly — no petition is needed, but EAD applications are filed directly using Form I-765.
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If an RFE does come for the dependent, it’s usually for Form I-693 (medical exam) or biometrics — not about EB-1A criteria. Evidence for the category is required only from the principal petitioner.
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