Form I-485 Supplement J Explained

Form I-485 Supplement J confirms your job offer or supports job portability under INA Section 204(j) to complete an employment-based green card application.

Before your employment-based green card can be finalized, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires proof that a bona fide job offer still exists or that you’ve received a qualifying new one.

Form I-485 Supplement J (Confirmation of Bona Fide Job Offer or Request for Job Portability Under INA Section 204(j)) captures that confirmation.

This guide explains why it matters, who must file it, and how to complete it correctly.

What is Form I-485 supplement J and why it matters

Form I-485 Supplement J connects your adjustment-of-status application (Form I-485) to a valid full-time job offer. It implements Section 204(j) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which protects employment-based applicants from losing green-card eligibility when job circumstances change.

If you’ve waited months (or years) for USCIS to adjudicate your I-485, Section 204(j) lets you “port” to a new employer once the application has been pending at least 180 days, as long as the new job is in the same or similar occupational classification. Supplement J is the official vehicle to either confirm your original job offer or notify USCIS of a new one.

Form I-485 Supplement J typically applies to applicants in the EB-1, EB-2, or EB-3 employment-based green card categories.

Who needs to File Form I-485 Supplement J

You must file the form if you fall under either of two categories:

1. Applicants filing Form I-485 based on an approved Form I-140
   When your I-140 has been approved and your priority date is current, Supplement J confirms that the bona fide job offer from your petitioning employer remains valid.
2. Applicants changing jobs under INA 204(j)
   If your I-485 has been pending 180 days or more and you accept a new job offer, you must file Supplement J so USCIS can verify that the new position qualifies as “same or similar” to the original I-140 role.

Your employer (or new employer in portability cases) must complete and sign their portion of the form, attesting to the validity of the offer.

When to file: Initial filing vs. job change after 180 days

• With Form I-485: Include Supplement J in the initial I-485 package to confirm the ongoing job offer.
• After 180 Days: If you change employers, file Supplement J once your I-485 has been pending at least 180 days.
• In Response to USCIS RFE or Interview: You may be asked to submit or bring an updated Supplement J.

The 180-day clock starts on the receipt date shown on your Form I-485 notice. See the USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 7, Part E, Ch. 5 for timing guidance.

Job portability, eligibility, and requirements

To use job portability under INA 204(j), you must:

• Be the beneficiary of an approved (or approvable when filed) Form I-140.
• Have a pending I-485 for at least 180 days.
• Hold a new job offer in a same or similar occupational classification.

How USCIS assesses “Same or Similar”

Officers evaluate job duties, required skills, education, experience, and wage levels using the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system maintained by the Department of Labor.

Closely aligned SOC codes and comparable salaries help demonstrate eligibility. Explore SOC details via the O*NET OnLine database.

How to complete Form I-485 Supplement J

Refer to the official USCIS instructions. Here’s an overview:

Part 1: Information About You — Name, A-Number, USCIS Online Account Number, and I-485 receipt number.

Part 2: Attorney or Representative Information — Only if applicable.

Part 3: About Your I-485 and I-140 — Receipt numbers and approval status.

Part 4: Your Signature — Sign in ink (typed or digital signatures not accepted).

Part 5: Employer and Job Offer Information — EIN, NAICS code, financial data, and contact details.

Part 6: Job Details — Job title, SOC code, and clear duties description (critical for portability).

Part 7: Employer Signature — Authorized signatory must sign and date in ink.

Employer obligations and supporting documents

Employers must provide accurate and truthful information. Include:

• Form I-485 receipt notice (Form I-797C)
• Form I-140 approval notice (if approved)
• Government-issued photo ID copy
• Detailed offer letter (describing duties, salary, and requirements)

In portability cases, the new employer must show that the role qualifies as “same or similar.” Discrepancies can trigger Requests for Evidence (RFEs).

Maintaining work authorization

Supplement J does not grant work authorization.

To work while your I-485 is pending, file Form I-765 for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). A valid EAD covers you if you change employers under portability provisions.

Where to File Form I-485 Supplement J

• If filing with Form I-485: Mail to the address listed in the I-485 instructions.
• If filing standalone: Send to the service center or field office handling your I-485.

Always check the USCIS filing address page for the latest updates. There is currently no online filing option.

Filing fees and processing time

• Filing fee: None.
• Processing time: Usually 3–6 months, reviewed alongside your I-485.
  You can check timelines via the USCIS Processing Times Tool.
  

What happens after approval

USCIS does not issue a stand-alone approval notice. Its acceptance is reflected in your I-485 adjudication. Possible next steps include:

• Final green card approval and card issuance
• Request for an interview at your local field office
• Request for Evidence (RFE) for clarification
  
  

A properly completed Supplement J usually completes the final eligibility check before lawful permanent resident status.

Common filing mistakes to avoid

• Missing or non-original signatures
• Incorrect EIN or employer contact details
• Mismatch between job titles or duties on I-140 and Supplement J
• Sending to the wrong USCIS address
• Omitting receipt numbers for I-140 or I-485

Double-checking these details prevents RFEs and delays.

How Lighthouse can help

Form I-485 Supplement J is the final verification step before green card approval—and errors can cause costly delays.

Lighthouse helps employers and foreign professionals coordinate accurate filings through its tech-powered platform and expert legal review.

We assist with document collection, SOC code analysis, and petition preparation aligned to USCIS policy manual guidance.

Get started with Lighthouse to finalize your employment-based green card filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Form I-485 Supplement J, and why does USCIS require it?

Form I-485 Supplement J confirms that a bona fide permanent job offer still exists for an employment-based green card applicant. USCIS uses it to verify that the offer remains valid or to approve a qualifying new job under the job portability rules in Section 204(j) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. 

Without a signed Supplement J, USCIS cannot finalize your employment-based Form I-485 application.

Who must file Form I-485 Supplement J, and when?

You must file this form if your I-485 is based on an approved or pending Form I-140 and you need to confirm your employer’s job offer. It also applies if your I-485 has been pending for at least 180 days and you plan to change employers under INA 204(j). In both scenarios, the employer (or new employer) must sign the form to attest to the offer’s authenticity.

Is there a filing fee for Form I-485 Supplement J?

No additional USCIS filing fee applies. Supplement J is reviewed together with the pending I-485, so there is no separate payment or biometrics cost. As of 2025, USCIS has confirmed that this form remains fee-exempt for all employment-based adjustment applications.

Where should I send Form I-485 Supplement J?

• If submitting with a new I-485: Mail both together to the address listed in the Form I-485 instructions.
• If filing later: For example, after a job change or in response to a Request for Evidence (RFE), send it to the USCIS service center or field office handling your I-485 file.

Always verify the most current address on the USCIS filing address page before submission.

How long does it take USCIS to process Form I-485 Supplement J?

USCIS does not assign a separate processing queue for Supplement J—it is normally reviewed with your I-485. On average, officers assess it within three to six months, but timelines vary depending on field office workload and whether USCIS issues an RFE for additional evidence.

You can track general I-485 processing times using the USCIS Processing Times Tool.

What happens after Form I-485 Supplement J is approved?

An approved Supplement J confirms that your employment-based job offer has been verified and meets the “same or similar” occupation test. 

USCIS then moves your I-485 toward final adjudication, which may include scheduling an interview or issuing a decision notice. Once approved, you’ll receive your permanent resident (Green Card) by mail or in person after your interview.

Can I work while my Supplement J is pending?

The form itself does not provide work authorization. You must continue working under a valid EAD (Employment Authorization Document) or another lawful status—such as H-1B visa status—while your I-485 and Supplement J are under review. Filing Supplement J does not interrupt your ability to work as long as you maintain valid authorization.

What if my employer withdraws the I-140 petition after 180 days?

If your I-485 has been pending for at least 180 days and the I-140 is approved, you can still retain your green card eligibility by porting to a new employer under INA 204(j). You’ll need to file a new Supplement J to confirm that the new job offer is in the same or similar occupation. USCIS will review the evidence together with your pending I-485 before continuing toward a final decision.