Changing jobs during the permanent residency process

[silkroute]

Hello all,

I am currently on a three year H1B visa and have successfully completed the PERM process. I am told that I need to file the i-140 in the next four months to continue the process of permanent residency.

I would be grateful if someone helped me with these questions:

1) How long does the I-140 take to process?

2) Meanwhile due to various factors I am looking for a new position at another company which I can begin at the earliest only in Aug 2014. By then presumably I would had already started the I-485 process under my current employer. In a situation that I start the new job in Aug 2014 and the I-485 process is already underway will I have to start the PERM process, I-140 and I-485 processes ***all over again***? Or can I continue from where the I-485 would be when I leave this job? In June 2014 I would be just finishing my third year of the current H1B visa.

I would like to know what are the potential problems that I could encounter with this plan. At the moment I cannot leave the current job immediately due to the clauses of my job contract. So the earliest I can think of moving out is only Aug 2014. Any advice on my scenario would be greatly welcomed.

Regards,

SR

[silkroute]

Thank you Mr. Omshiv for your reply. What takes more time for approval: the I-140 or I-485?

Please let me know if I understand you correctly here: if I have the PERM approval *and* the I-140 approved and *then change* my current job my permanent residency process with resume from the I-485 stage with the priority date given to me. Is that correct?

Regards,

SR