Where to File Form I-140: USCIS Addresses and Rules

The Short Answer

There is no single filing address for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker. USCIS routes I-140 petitions to different service centers based on the employment-based category, whether the petition is filed concurrently with an I-485, whether premium processing is being requested, and the geographic location of the petitioning employer. The right address for your specific case is always listed in the current Form I-140 instructions and the "Where to File" page for I-140 on uscis.gov. These addresses change periodically, and filing at the wrong address can cause the petition to be rejected and returned unfiled, potentially costing weeks or months of processing time and sometimes leading to problems with filing deadlines.

Because USCIS updates filing addresses, the single most important rule is: check uscis.gov/i-140 for the current filing address before you mail the petition. Do not rely on addresses printed in old immigration guides, old forum posts, or old firm memos. The address that was correct six months ago may no longer be correct today.

Why I-140 Filing Addresses Are Complicated

USCIS has multiple service centers that process employment-based petitions, including the Texas Service Center, the Nebraska Service Center, the California Service Center, the Potomac Service Center, and others. Over time, USCIS has redistributed workloads between these centers to balance processing times and manage staffing. The result is that the correct filing address for I-140 depends on:

• The employment category — EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, and EB-2 NIW may have different filing rules at any given time.
• Whether you are filing with a concurrent I-485. Concurrent filings go to a different address than standalone I-140s in most cases.
• Whether you are requesting premium processing. Premium processing filings may have a different address or require a specific cover sheet.
• Whether you are using USPS, courier, or online filing. Mailing addresses are sometimes different for courier services than for regular mail.
• The location of the petitioning employer or beneficiary. For some categories, USCIS routes cases based on geography.

Any of these factors can change the correct filing address. USCIS publishes the current address grid on the "Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-140" page at uscis.gov.

Step-by-Step: Finding the Right Address

1. Go to uscis.gov/i-140 and open the "Where to File" section.
2. Identify your filing scenario:
   • Standalone I-140 (not concurrent with I-485)?
   • Concurrent I-140 with I-485?
   • I-140 with a request for premium processing on Form I-907?
   • Self-petition (EB-1A or EB-2 NIW)?
3. Read the current address grid for your scenario. USCIS publishes separate addresses for USPS mail and for courier services like FedEx, UPS, or DHL.
4. Use the exact address printed on the current page. Do not rely on addresses from prior versions.
5. Include the correct cover sheet if premium processing is being requested.

Premium Processing Considerations

If you are requesting premium processing on Form I-907, you may need to file at a different address than a regular I-140 filing. Premium processing requests sometimes go to a specific "Premium Processing" address within the service center or to a separate processing unit. The current Form I-907 instructions and the I-140 filing addresses page will specify where.

Filing premium processing at the wrong address can cause USCIS to reject the I-907 portion, refund the premium processing fee, and continue processing the underlying I-140 at normal speed. This is a frustrating and avoidable mistake.

Concurrent I-485 Filing

When a foreign worker files I-140 concurrently with Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status (possible when the priority date is current at filing), both forms go to the same USCIS service center and are typically filed at the same address. The I-140 and I-485 are adjudicated separately but are routed together for convenience. USCIS has specific concurrent filing addresses that may differ from the standalone I-140 filing addresses.

Concurrent filing has advantages: it can reduce overall processing time, allow the beneficiary to immediately apply for I-765 (EAD) and I-131 (Advance Parole) as part of the same package, and consolidate the case in one location. It also has risks: if the I-140 is denied, the concurrent I-485 is denied as well.

Courier vs. USPS Addresses

USCIS service centers typically have two physical addresses: one for regular U.S. Postal Service mail and one for courier deliveries from FedEx, UPS, DHL, or similar services. The two addresses are often different — sometimes by street address, sometimes by suite or floor number, sometimes by facility.

Using the wrong type of address is a common mistake. USPS mail delivered to the courier address (or vice versa) can be returned, lost, or delayed. Always match your chosen delivery method to the appropriate address in the USCIS filing grid.

What to Include in the Filing Package

A complete I-140 filing package typically includes:

• Completed and signed Form I-140.
• Filing fee check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security."
• If applicable, Form I-907 Premium Processing request and fee.
• Copy of the approved PERM labor certification (for EB-2 and EB-3 cases that required it).
• Evidence of the beneficiary's qualifications for the category.
• Evidence of the employer's ability to pay the offered wage.
• Copy of Form G-28 if represented by an attorney.
• Supporting documentation specific to the category (extraordinary ability evidence for EB-1A, Dhanasar evidence for EB-2 NIW, etc.).

What Happens After Filing

Once USCIS receives your properly filed I-140, they issue Form I-797C, Notice of Action, confirming receipt and assigning a receipt number. From that point, you can track the case at egov.uscis.gov/casestatus using the receipt number. The next substantive action is either an RFE (if USCIS has questions), an approval, or a denial. Premium processing cases have a committed timeline for that first action; standard processing cases do not.

Common Filing Mistakes

• Filing at an outdated address. USCIS changes filing addresses periodically. Always verify the current address before sending.
• Mixing up USPS and courier addresses. Match your delivery method to the correct address.
• Missing premium processing cover sheet. If requesting premium processing, the I-907 must accompany the I-140 and any required cover sheet must be visible on the package.
• Incorrect fee amounts. USCIS fees change periodically. Verify the current fee at uscis.gov/fees.
• Missing signatures. Both the petitioner and the preparer (if any) must sign where required.
• Missing supporting documents. The most common RFE reason is missing evidence, which is easier to catch before mailing than after.

If Your Filing Is Rejected

If USCIS returns your I-140 filing unaccepted, they will include a rejection notice explaining what was wrong. Common rejection reasons include wrong address, wrong fee, missing signatures, or incompleteness. Fix the issue and re-file at the correct address as soon as possible. Rejected filings do not count as filed — your priority date is not preserved until the petition is actually accepted for processing.

The Bottom Line

The correct filing address for Form I-140 depends on your category, whether you are filing concurrently with I-485, whether you are requesting premium processing, and the delivery method you are using. USCIS changes filing addresses periodically, so the only reliable way to get the right address is to check the current "Where to File" page at uscis.gov/i-140 before mailing. Double-check the fee amount against the current USCIS fee schedule, include all required supporting documents, and match your delivery method (USPS vs. courier) to the correct address. For complex cases or self-petitions, work with an experienced immigration attorney.

When to Work with an Immigration Attorney

Not every immigration question needs a lawyer, but some do. The topics covered in this article include situations where a brief consultation with a licensed U.S. immigration attorney can save months of delay, prevent irreversible mistakes, and identify options you might not otherwise know about. Consider consulting an attorney if your case involves any of the following:

• Criminal history of any kind. Even dismissed charges, expunged records, or decades-old offenses can affect immigration outcomes. The immigration consequences of a criminal record are technical and fact-specific, and plea deals that seemed favorable in criminal court sometimes have devastating immigration consequences.
• Past immigration violations or denials. Prior visa denials, overstays, periods of unlawful presence, and prior removal proceedings all affect current options. An attorney can review your history and identify which paths remain open.
• Complicated family situations. Divorce, death of a petitioner, domestic abuse, and similar circumstances can trigger waiver eligibility or affect existing petitions in ways that require careful legal analysis.
• Business immigration matters. Employment-based cases, investor visas, and self-petitions are typically too complex for do-it-yourself filing. The evidentiary standards are demanding and the stakes are high.
• Cases that feel stuck. If your case has been sitting without action for a long time, or if you received an RFE or NOID you do not fully understand, an attorney can diagnose the problem and respond effectively.
• Anything you do not fully understand. Immigration forms are technical, and a small mistake can cascade into large consequences. When in doubt, ask someone qualified.

Finding Reliable Information

The single most reliable source of current U.S. immigration information is USCIS itself. USCIS publishes form instructions, fee schedules, processing times, policy manuals, and policy alerts at uscis.gov. When any article (including this one) references specific fees, processing times, or eligibility rules, the information can become outdated as USCIS updates its policies and fee schedules. Always verify any time-sensitive detail directly with USCIS before filing anything.

Other reliable primary sources include the U.S. Department of State (for visa bulletins and consular processing), the U.S. Department of Labor (for PERM and prevailing wage information), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (for admission and port of entry rules), and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (for immigration court procedures).

Secondary sources — including practitioner guides, law school immigration clinics, and reputable nonprofit legal aid organizations — can provide helpful explanations of how the rules apply in practice. Community forums and social media should be treated with caution: they can point you to useful resources, but they also contain a great deal of inaccurate or outdated information, and the rules change frequently enough that what was true a year ago may not be true now.

Keeping Records

One of the simplest ways to protect yourself through any immigration process is to keep careful records of everything. Copies of every filing you send to USCIS, every notice you receive, every check or money order you submit, and every piece of correspondence you send or receive become critical evidence if something goes wrong later. Keep these records organized, dated, and backed up in at least two separate places (for example, a physical folder and a digital scan).

Also keep records of everything that supports your underlying eligibility — tax returns, marriage certificate, birth certificates, medical records, employment records, property records, school transcripts, and anything else that demonstrates ties to the United States, family relationships, or program eligibility. Good records are the backbone of a strong immigration case.