Family members of the foreign national can do the I-485 filing as dependents. Anyone who has an I-485 pending can also apply for work permit (I-765 filing) and travel permit (I-131 filing). With CIS approved work permit and travel permit, foreign nationals can work in the U.S. and travel abroad and re-enter U.S.

There is a numerical limitation (annual visa number) for employment-based immigration application. Currently, there is a severe retrogression in third employment-based visa application - for a position that requires less than a master’s degree, the foreign national usually has to wait for 2-3 years before they can do the I-485 filing (when a visa number is available).