Visa Number And Form I-485 On I-140 Approval

[InsideNusic]

I've received a copy of my I-140 approval from my employer.
This I-140 was submitted concurrently with I-485, but the I-485 was sent back because according to USCIS there was not a visa number readily available by that time.
Now, I have the I-140 approval notice with a number just above the beneficiary name starting with an "A".
Is that the visa number?
Can I submit the I-485 now with the approval of my I-140?
Do I have to wait for anything else?

Please, I really appreciate any light in this situation.

Thanks

[budthal]

You need to have your priority date current to apply for 485. Your priority date is the date when your LC was applied. And to check whether it is current or not you need to check latest vis bulletin on Dept. of Stat site.

[InsideNusic]

LC? does this mean Labor Certification?
According to my Approval Notice of I-140, my priority date is July 17, 2006.
My category is 3rd and the latest bulletin visa posted, February 2008, my category is now in 01NOV02.
Does it mean that I have to wait until it is 17JULY06 to apply?
This is gonna take years for me to apply.
Please, I need someone to explain this to me. My H1-B expires in June.

Thanks

[budthal]

Yes, LC mean Labor Certification.
So, you have to wait till Visa bulletin puts date later than 07/17/06 or C (for current) in your category.
Unless and until the Law is changed, situation is not going to improve.

[InsideNusic]

So I'll have to wait almost 4 years to apply.
My current nonimmigrant visa is H1-B. Is there a way to apply for a longer extesion for cases like mine?
It is a big hassle to apply for one year extension every year until my category becomes "Current"


Thank you, guys for all these valuable information...

[budthal]

As your 140 is approved and your PD is not current you may extend your H1-B for three year.

[VisitF1]

Hey, when did file i-485 ? Was this after Aug 17th 2007 ?