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pdfInstructions for Supplement J, Confirmation of Valid
Job Offer or Request for Job Portability
Under INA Section 205(j)
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
USCIS
Form I-485
OMB No. 1615-0023
Expires 02/28/2026
You
must read these Instructions if you are filing Form I-485, Supplement J, Confirmation of Valid Job Offer or Request
for Job Portability Under INA Section 204(j) (Supplement J), to either confirm that the job offered to you in Form I-140,
Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, that is the basis of your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence
or Adjust Status, remains available to you or to request job portability under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)
section 204(j).
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What Is the Purpose of Supplement J?
You must use Supplement J if you are an employment-based applicant for adjustment of status who is filing or has
previously filed Form I-485 as the principal beneficiary of a valid Form I-140 in an employment-based immigrant visa
category that requires a job offer, and you now seek, in connection with your Form I-485, to:
• Confirm that the job offered to you in Form I-140 remains a valid job offer that you intend to accept once your
Form I-485 is approved; or
• Request job portability under INA section 204(j) to a new, full-time, permanent job offer that you intend to accept
once your Form I-485 is approved. Portability means to change the offer of employment from one job or employer
to another job or employer. The new job offer must be in the same or a similar occupational classification as the
job offered to you in Form I-140 that is the basis of your Form I-485.
NOTE: In adjudicating Supplement J, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does not make a determination
whether you have current work authorization with the prospective employer. The basis for adjustment of status to
lawful permanent resident under a valid Form I-140 is not actual (current) employment. Rather, the basis is prospective
employment. Therefore, the adjudication of Supplement J, for applicants requesting job portability under INA section
204(j), is primarily limited to a determination of whether you have a valid job offer from a U.S. employer that is in the
same or a similar occupational classification as the position for which the underlying Form I-140 was filed and approved.
NOTE: Individuals seeking or granted a National Interest Waiver of the job offer requirement and individuals seeking or
granted classification as an alien of extraordinary ability under INA section 203(b)(1)(A) do not need to file Supplement J.
Because these employment-based immigrant visa categories are not tied to a specific job offer, individuals seeking or
granted classification as an alien of extraordinary ability or seeking or granted a National Interest Waiver of the job offer
requirement do not have to file Supplement J when filing Form I-485 or to request job portability under INA section 204(j).
Who May File Supplement J?
Unless you are filing Form I-485 at the same time with a Form I-140 or while a Form I-140 is still pending that names you
as the principal beneficiary, you must file Supplement J at the time you file your Form I-485 to confirm that the job offered
to you in the underlying Form I-140 is still valid and available to you. Additionally, you must file Supplement J to request
job portability if you are eligible. USCIS may request that you file Supplement J again prior to final processing of your
Form I-485.
To request job portability to a new, permanent job offer under INA section 204(j), you must have a properly filed Form
I-485 that:
1. Has been pending with USCIS for 180 days or more since the receipt date; and
2. Is based on an approved or pending Form I-140 that names you as the principal beneficiary.
I-485 Supplement J Instructions 04/01/24
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If the underlying Form I-140 is currently pending with USCIS and your Form I-485 has been pending with USCIS for 180
days or more, you may still file Supplement J to request portability to a new, permanent job offer. However, please know
that USCIS must first adjudicate and approve the Form I-140 prior to approving your portability request, if otherwise
eligible.
When Should You File Supplement J?
If you are filing Supplement J to confirm that the job offer in the underlying Form I-140 is valid and still available
to you, you must submit Supplement J when:
• You initially file your employment-based Form I-485 with USCIS unless you are filing Form I-485 at the same
time as Form I-140 or while the Form I-140 is still pending, or if your Form I-485 was filed prior to January 17,
2017; or
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• You have received a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) from USCIS requesting
confirmation that the job offer in the underlying Form I-140 is valid and still available to you or, if applicable, that
the job offer you have previously ported to under INA section 204(j) is valid and still available to you.
NOTE: If Form I-140 is approved, USCIS may consider the approved Form I-140 and supporting documents, along with
your filed Form I-485, as prima facie evidence that the job offer is valid and that you, the applicant, intend to accept the
job offer if your Form I-485 is approved. However, depending on factors, such as the length of time it takes to adjudicate
the underlying Form I-140 and your filed Form I-485, USCIS may request that you submit Supplement J to confirm that
the job offer in the underlying Form I-140 is valid and still available to you prior to final processing of your Form I-485,
or that you have ported to a new, permanent job offer under INA section 204(j).
If you are filing Supplement J to request job portability to a new, permanent job offer under INA section 204(j),
you may file Supplement J only after your Form I-485 was properly filed and has remained pending for 180 days or
more since the receipt date, and:
• You have received a new, permanent job offer from a U.S. employer that is in the same or similar occupational
classification as the job offered to you in the underlying Form I-140, and now you would like to request that the
new job offer be used in connection with your eligibility to adjust status to that of lawful permanent resident;
• You have received an RFE or a NOID from USCIS in connection with your pending Form I-485 asking for
confirmation that the job offered to you in the underlying Form I-140 or a previously filed Supplement J is still
available to you; or
• You have received a NOID from USCIS regarding your Form I-485 because the petitioner has withdrawn the
Form I-140 filed on your behalf, or the petitioner has gone out of business.
If you are requesting job portability under INA section 204(j), USCIS will reject Supplement J if you file it before your Form
I-485 has been pending for 180 days or more since the receipt date. You can check your case status online at www.uscis.gov.
What Evidence Must You Submit With Supplement J?
1. If you are filing Supplement J to confirm that the job offer represented in the underlying Form I-140 is valid, then you,
the applicant, only need to complete Parts 1., 2., 3., 4., and 5. of Supplement J and have the Form I-140 petitioner
complete Parts 6., 7., 8., and 9.
2. If you are filing Supplement J to request job portability under INA section 204(j), you, the applicant, must complete
Parts 1., 2., 3., 4., and 5. and the employer offering a new permanent job must complete Parts 6., 7., 8., and 9. In
addition, you must submit the following documents with Supplement J:
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A. A copy of Form I-797, Notice of Action, establishing the receipt date and acceptance of your Form I-485 under
INA section 245, which shows that your Form I-485 has been pending for 180 days or more. If you do not have
such documentation, USCIS will review the electronic record for the Form I-485 receipt number provided in
Part 2. of Supplement J and/or any other USCIS records for evidence that you have filed a Form I-485 that has
remained pending for 180 days or more; and
B. If available, a copy of Form I-797 showing that you are the principal beneficiary of an approved or still pending
Form I-140. If you do not have such documentation, USCIS will review the electronic record for the Form I-140
receipt number provided in Part 2. of Supplement J and/or any other USCIS records for evidence that you are the
principal beneficiary of an approved or still pending Form I-140.
NOTE: If you do not have the evidence listed in Items A. or B. above, you may provide information on Supplement J or
other secondary evidence to demonstrate that you have filed Form I-485 which has been pending for 180 days or more
since the receipt date, and that you are the principal beneficiary of an approved or still pending Form I-140. Failure to
provide the evidence listed above or secondary evidence may result in delayed processing or denial of your request for job
portability.
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NOTE: USCIS will review Supplement J in assessing whether the new job offer is in the same or a similar occupational
classification as the job in the underlying Form I-140. The applicant and/or employer may submit any other evidence that
is relevant in showing the new job is in the same or a similar occupational classification as the job specified in Form I-140.
How Does USCIS Determine What Qualifies as a Same or Similar Occupational Classification?
To determine whether the new job qualifies as the same or similar occupational classification as the job in the approved
permanent labor certification (if applicable) and Form I-140, USCIS will review the totality of the record, including
Supplement J and any additional evidence submitted by the applicant and/or employer.
In determining whether the new job is in the same or a similar occupational classification as the job specified in Form I-140,
USCIS will consider factors, including, but not limited to:
• The similarity of the job duties and responsibilities; and/or
• The similarity of the educational, experience, and/or training requirements.
USCIS may refer to resources published by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and its Bureau of Labor Statistics,
or other relevant resources, to assist in determining whether the new offer of employment is in the same or similar
occupational classification. These resources include:
• DOL Occupational Outlook Handbook at www.bls.gov/ooh;
• DOL O*NET system at www.onetonline.org; and
• Standard Occupational Classification system used by DOL’s Occupational Employment Statistics program at
www.bls.gov/soc.
These resources contain detailed information on job titles, duties, rates of pay, and educational, experience, and/or
training requirements. In many cases, the resources do provide information on similar or related occupations. Applicants
may also use any of these resources or other relevant evidence to demonstrate that the new job is in the same or similar
occupational classification as the job specified in Form I-140.
USCIS may request that you provide more information or evidence to support your Supplement J.
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General Instructions
We provide free forms through the USCIS website. To view, print, or complete out our forms, you should use the latest
version of Adobe Reader, which you can download for free at http://get.adobe.com/reader/. If you do not have internet
access, you may call the USCIS Contact Center and ask that we mail a form to you.
Signature. Each supplement must be properly signed by both the applicant and an individual employer or authorized
signatory of the business entity employer and filed. For all signatures on this supplement, USCIS will not accept a
stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature. If you are under 14 years of age, your parent or legal guardian may
sign the supplement on your behalf. A legal guardian may also sign for a mentally incompetent person. If your supplement
is not signed, or if the signature is not valid, we will reject your supplement. See 8 CFR 103.2(a)(7)(ii)(A).
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Validity of Signatures. USCIS will consider a photocopied, faxed, or scanned copy of an original handwritten signature
as valid for filing purposes. The photocopy, fax, or scan must be of the original document containing the handwritten ink
signature.
Filing Fee. There is no filing fee for Supplement J.
Evidence. When you file your supplement, you must submit all evidence and supporting documentation listed in the
What Evidence Must You Submit With Supplement J section of these Instructions.
Biometric Services Appointment. USCIS may require you to appear for an interview or provide biometrics (fingerprints,
photograph, and/or signature) at any time to verify your identity, obtain additional information, and conduct background
and security checks, including a check of criminal history records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI), before making a decision on your application or petition. If we determine that a biometric services appointment
is necessary, we will send you an appointment notice with the date, time, and location of your appointment. If you are
currently overseas, your notice will instruct you to contact a U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate, or USCIS office outside the
United States to schedule an appointment.
At your biometrics appointment, you must sign an oath reaffirming that:
1. You provided or authorized all information in the supplement;
2. You reviewed and understood all of the information contained in, and submitted with, your supplement; and
3. All of this information was complete, true, and correct at the time of filing.
If you do not attend your biometric services appointment, we may deny your supplement.
Copies. You should submit legible photocopies of requested documents unless the Instructions specifically instruct you to
submit an original document. USCIS may request an original document at any time during our process. If we request an
original document from you, we will return it to you after USCIS determines it no longer needs the original.
NOTE: If you submit original documents when they are not required or requested, USCIS may destroy them after we
receive them.
Translations. If you submit a document with information in a foreign language, you must also submit a full English
translation. The translator must sign a certification that the English language translation is complete and accurate, and that
they are competent to translate from the foreign language into English. The certification must also include their signature,
printed name, the signature date, and their contact information.
USCIS Contact Center. For additional information on the supplement and Instructions about where to file, change
of address, and other questions, visit the USCIS Contact Center at www.uscis.gov/contactcenter or call 800-375-5283
(TTY 800-767-1833). The USCIS Contact Center provides information in English and Spanish.
Disability Accommodations/Modifications. To request a disability accommodation/modification, follow the instructions
on your appointment notice or at www.uscis.gov/accommodationsinfo.
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How To Complete Supplement J
1. If you need extra space to complete any item within this supplement, use the space provided in Part 10. Additional
Information or attach a separate sheet of paper.
2. Answer all questions fully and accurately. If a question does not apply to you (for example, if you have never been
married and the question asks, “Provide the name of your current spouse”), type or print “N/A” unless otherwise
directed. If your answer to a question which requires a numeric response is zero or none (for example, “How many
children do you have” or “How many times have you departed the United States”), type or print “None” unless
otherwise directed.
3. USCIS Online Account Number. You will only have a USCIS Online Account Number (OAN ) if you previously
filed a form that has a receipt number that begins with IOE. If you filed the form online, you can find your OAN in
your account profile. If you mailed us the form, you can find your OAN at the top of the Account Access Notice we
sent you. If you do not have a receipt number that begins with IOE, you do not have an OAN. The OAN is not the
same as an A-Number.
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4. Part 3. Applicant’s Contact Information, Certification, and Signature. You must sign and date your supplement
and, if applicable, provide your daytime telephone number, mobile telephone number, and email address. The
signature of a parent or legal guardian, if applicable, is acceptable. A stamped or typewritten name in place of a
signature is not acceptable.
5. Part 4. and Part 9. Interpreter’s Contact Information, Certification, and Signature. If you used anyone as an
interpreter to read the Instructions and questions on this supplement to you in a language in which you are fluent, the
interpreter must fill out this section and sign and date the supplement.
6. Part 5. Contact Information, Certification, and Signature of the Person Preparing Parts 1. - 4. of this
Supplement, if Other Than the Applicant. The person who completed your supplement, if other than the applicant,
must sign this section. If the same individual acted as your interpreter and your preparer, then that person should
complete both Part 4. and Part 5. A stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature is not acceptable.
7. Part 6. Information About the Employer. Business entity employers must complete Item Numbers 1. - 12.
Individual employers must complete Item Numbers 1. - 2. and 13. - 17.
8. Instructions for Industry and Occupation Codes
A. NAICS Code. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is a standard in classifying business
establishments for use by Federal statistical agencies. In the United States, the U.S. Department of Commerce
(USDOC), U.S. Census Bureau assigns each establishment one NAICS code based on its primary activity. You
can obtain the NAICS code from the USDOC, U.S. Census Bureau at www.census.gov/epcd/www/naics.html.
Type or print the code from left to right, entering one digit in each of the six boxes. If you use a code that is less
than six digits, type or print the code left to right and then add zeros in the remaining unoccupied boxes. For
example
•
Type or print the code sequence 33466 as 334660; or
•
Type or print the code sequence 5133 as 513300.
B. SOC Code. The Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) System is used by U.S. Federal agencies to classify
workers into occupational categories for data purposes. All occupations are classified into a SOC System code by
DOL, Bureau of Labor Statistics. You can obtain the SOC System codes from DOL, Bureau of Labor Statistics at
www.bls.gov/soc. Type or print the code from left to right, entering one digit in each of the six boxes.
9. Part 8. Contact Information, Certification, and Signature of the Individual Employer or Authorized Signatory
of the Business Entity Employer. You must sign and date your supplement and, if applicable, provide your daytime
telephone number, mobile telephone number, and email address. A stamped or typewritten name in place of a
signature is not acceptable.
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We recommend that you print or save a copy of your completed supplement for your records.
Where To File?
Please see our website at www.uscis.gov/i-485supj for the most current information about where to file this supplement.
Address Change
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You must notify USCIS any time you change your mailing address or physical address. You must notify us no
later than 10 days after making such a change. For information on changing your address, go to our website at
www.uscis.gov/addresschange, or call the USCIS Contact Center.
NOTE: Do not submit a change of address request to the USCIS Lockbox.
Processing Information
You must have a United States address to file this supplement.
Requests for More Information. Once USCIS accepts your supplement, we will check it for completeness. If you do not
properly complete this supplement, you will not establish a basis for your eligibility and we may request that you provide
more information or evidence to support your supplement. We may also request that you provide the originals of any
copies you submit. If we request an original document from you, we will return it to you after USCIS determines it is no
longer needed.
Decision. The decision on Supplement J involves a determination of whether you have established eligibility for the
immigration benefit you are seeking. USCIS will notify you of our decision in writing.
USCIS Forms and Information
To ensure you are using the latest version of this supplement, visit www.uscis.gov.
For questions about filing your supplement, you can use our many online tools (uscis.gov/tools) including our virtual
assistant, Emma. This website is available in Arabic, Haitian Creole, Spanish, French, Polish, Portuguese, Russian,
Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Chinese.
Penalties
If you knowingly and willfully falsify or conceal a material fact or submit a false document with your Supplement J, we
will deny your Supplement J and may deny any other immigration benefit. In addition, you will face severe penalties
provided by law and may be subject to criminal prosecution.
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DHS Privacy Notice
AUTHORITIES: USCIS is collecting the information requested on this supplement, and the associated evidence, under
INA section 204(j)..
PURPOSE: The primary purpose for providing the requested information on this supplement is to either confirm that the
job offered to you in Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, that is the basis of your Form I-485, Application to
Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, remains available to you or to request job portability under the INA section
204(j). DHS will use the information you provide to grant or deny the immigration benefit you are seeking.
DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information,
including your Social Security number (if applicable), and any requested evidence, may delay a final decision or result in
USCIS denying your supplement.
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ROUTINE USES: DHS may, where allowable under relevant confidentiality provisions, share the information you
provide on this supplement, and any additional requested evidence, with other Federal, state, local, and foreign government
agencies and authorized organizations. DHS follows approved routine uses, as described in the associated published system
of records notices [DHS/USCIS/ICE/CBP-001 Alien File, Index, and National File Tracking System, DHS/USCIS-007
Benefits Information System, and DHS/USCIS-018 Immigration Biometric and Background Check] and the published
privacy impact assessments [DHS/USCIS/PIA-016(a) Computer Linked Application Information Management System]
which you can find at www.dhs.gov/privacy. DHS may also share the information, as appropriate, for law enforcement
purposes or in the interest of national security.
Paperwork Reduction Act
USCIS may not conduct or sponsor an information collection, and you are not required to respond to a collection of information, unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated at 36 minutes per response, in addition to the burden for completing Form I-485, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering the required documentation and information,
completing the supplement, preparing statements, attaching necessary documentation, and submitting the supplement.
Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions
for reducing this burden, to: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Office of Policy and Strategy, Regulatory Coordination Division, 5900 Capital Gateway Drive, Mail Stop #2140, Camp Springs, MD 20588-0009; OMB No. 1615-0023.
Do not mail your completed Supplement J to this address.
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File Type | application/pdf |
File Title | Form I-485, Instructions for Supplement J, Confirmation of Bona Fide Job Offer or Request for Job Portability Under INA Section |
File Modified | 2024-07-02 |
File Created | 2024-07-02 |