Proving Ability to Pay when Filing I-140 Petition
Immigration Lawyers Serving Columbus & Beyond
When filing the I-140 Immigrant Petition, evidence must be submitted to prove the prospective U.S. employer can pay the proffered wage from the time the priority date is set, either when the labor certification or the I-140 is filed. The employer must establish they can pay until the employee becomes a permanent resident.
If you have questions about the ability to pay issues, the attorneys at The Law Firm of Shihab & Associates, Co., LPA have decades of combined experience in this area. Contact us at (888) 915-5057 for a consultation.
What Kind of Evidence Should Be Used?
Federal regulation dictates what types of evidence may be used. There are two categories of evidence: Required and discretionary. Required evidence includes copies of annual reports, federal tax returns, or audited financial statements. Discretionary evidence includes profit/loss statements, bank account records, or personnel records, which may be submitted in appropriate cases or if requested by the USCIS. If a prospective U.S. employer has 100 or more workers, evidence may include a statement from a financial officer of the organization that shows the ability of the prospective employer to pay the proffered wage.
What if the Employee Changes to a New Employer?
When an employee changes employer under the portability provisions provided by the American Competitiveness in the 21st Century Act of 2000 (AC21), the new employer is not required to establish its ability to pay when the I-485 is adjudicated. Instead, the new employer must establish that the new job is in the same or similar occupational classification as the job the employee held with the previous I-140 employer.
How Does an Employer Prove It Has the Ability to Pay?
There are three tests used to determine whether an employer has the ability to pay the proffered wage.
The USCIS should make a favorable determination if the evidence establishes:
- The petitioner's net income is equal to or greater than the proffered wage
- The petitioner's net current assets are equal to or greater than the proffered wage
- The employer submits credible, verifiable evidence that the petitioner is both employing the beneficiary and has paid or is currently paying the proffered wage
If the employer relies on the first two tests to establish its ability to pay, but it fails to provide the required evidence (annual reports, federal tax returns, or audited financial statements), the USCIS will likely issue a Request for Evidence (RFE). However, if the third test is used, and the employer provides evidence that it has actually paid the stated wage, such as W-2s or pay stubs, the case will generally be approved without an RFE.
For I-140 Filing Petition Issues, Contact Our Immigration Lawyers
If you have questions about the ability to pay issues, our Columbus immigration attorneys at The Law Firm of Shihab & Associates are here to help. We take ability to pay issues seriously because if they are not properly handled, they can lead to a failed PERM case which ultimately results in the foreigh national worker not receiving permanent residence. Our immigration lawyers have years of experience where I-140 immigration petition filing is concerned. Schedule a consultation today at our Coloumbus, Cleveland, Southfield or Washington, DC office.
Call our offices in Columbus Ohio, Cleveland Ohio, Southfield Michigan and Washington, D.C. Dial (888) 915-5057.
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