I-485

 An application for adjustment of status (I-485) cannot be filed until an immigrant petition (I-130/I-140) is approved and an immigrant visa is immediately available. The priority date determines the order of visa availability. For relative petitions, the priority date is the date the I-130 was properly filed. For employment based petitions, the priority date is the date the labor certification was filed with the Department of Labor or the date the preference petition was filed with the INS if an LC was not needed.