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EB-4 — Employment Fourth Preference - Special Immigrant
United StatesUnited States•North America
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EB-4 — Employment Fourth Preference - Special Immigrant

Skilled Migration PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

1–3 years

Estimated Cost

USD $2,395

Stay Duration

Indefinite

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote work OK

Official Information
United States flag

Living in United States

Cost of Living
Baseline
Avg Salary$52,000
Quality of Life
185/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

Special immigrants including religious workers, certain long-term U.S. government employees, Iraqi/Afghan translators, and other special categories.

The EB-4 is a US employment-based fourth preference green card for special immigrants outside the standard skill tiers — religious workers, USAGM broadcasters, Iraqi and Afghan translators, special immigrant juveniles, and certain international organization staff.

Petitions are filed on Form I-360 with no labor certification required, and around 9,940 visas are issued annually (7.1% of the employment cap), with separate allocations for Iraqi and Afghan applicants. Spouses and children gain permanent residence too, and spouses can work without restriction.

This visa is ideal for religious ministers, US government affiliates, and other niche service professionals seeking a direct route to permanent residence.

United States

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Cost Breakdown

Form I-360 filing feeUSD $515
Form I-485 adjustment of status (includes biometrics)USD $1,440
Immigrant visa fee (consular processing)USD $205
USCIS Immigrant FeeUSD $235
TotalUSD $2,395

Stay & Extensions

Status typePermanent / indefinite

Annual Cap & Quota

~9,940 per year (7.1% of employment-based preference cap); certain subcategories such as Iraqi/Afghan translators have separate statutory allocations

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must qualify under a recognized EB-4 special immigrant subcategory

Religious workers: member of qualifying religious denomination for 2+ years and have a bona fide U.S. employer offer

Broadcasters: employed by or under contract with the U.S. Agency for Global Media or a related entity

Special immigrant juveniles (SIJ): declared dependent on a U.S. juvenile court, reunification with parents not viable

Iraqi/Afghan nationals who provided faithful service to the U.S. government for at least 1 year

Certain international organization employees and their immediate family members

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces with qualifying service

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Form I-360 with subcategory-specific supporting evidence

Religious workers: employer letter, denomination membership proof, job description

SIJ: juvenile court order, evidence reunification is not in best interest

Iraqi/Afghan nationals: employment verification from relevant U.S. agency or military unit

Birth certificate and valid passport

Police clearance certificates from countries of residence

Medical examination (Form I-693, sealed by civil surgeon)

Two passport-style photographs

Proof of any prior immigration status in the U.S. (if adjusting)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Direct path to U.S. permanent residence (green card) — no temporary visa step required
  • No PERM labor certification required
  • No requirement to demonstrate extraordinary ability
  • Covers diverse categories not served by EB-1 through EB-3
  • Full and unrestricted work authorization upon receiving green card
  • Qualifying to apply for U.S. citizenship after 5 years (3 years if married to a U.S. citizen)

Worth Knowing

  • Subcategories are narrowly defined — applicants must clearly fit one recognized category
  • Per-country annual limits can cause significant backlogs for nationals of India, China, Philippines, and Mexico
  • Religious worker subcategory requires periodic Congressional reauthorization
  • Annual cap is approximately 9,940 visas (7.1% of the employment-based preference total)
  • Some subcategories (religious workers, broadcasters) require a qualifying U.S. employer or sponsoring entity
  • SIJ applicants must be under 21 at time of filing and cannot have aged out of juvenile court jurisdiction
  • Iraqi/Afghan national allocations have separate statutory caps and may vary year to year

Application Process

1

Determine the applicable EB-4 subcategory and gather subcategory-specific evidence

2

File Form I-360 (Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant) with USCIS

3

Await USCIS approval of the I-360 petition

4

Check visa bulletin for priority date availability

5

If in the U.S.

file Form I-485 to adjust status to permanent resident

6

If abroad

apply for an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate via Form DS-260

7

Attend biometrics appointment and interview (if required)

8

Receive permanent resident card (green card) upon approval

Application Forms

I-360
Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant
Fill online
I-485
Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
Fill online
G-28
Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative
Fill online

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