Difference between I-140 approved and I-485 status pending

[venkatdabri]

Hello Friends,
I was wondering as to what is the difference between I-140 approved and I-485 status pending? My I-140 has been approved. My company lawyer told me that the next stage is to wait for the PD to be current and then apply for the I-485. Is this correct or should I-485 be applied as soon as I-140 has been approved? In many places on the web I-140 approved and I-485 pending is used together. So does this mean that if my I-140 is approved then I am automatically in I-485 pending stage? Or I-485 pending means that you have your priority date as current and have applied for I-485?

[shervin143]

Your lawyer is right. You cannot file I-485 until your priority date becomes current. Go to google and search for "uscis visa bulletin august 2011" and see what the current processing dates for your category (EB1/EB2/EB3).