United States•North America1-3 years
2,395 USD
Indefinite
No
Not Required
Allowed
Available
Allowed
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.
Form I-360 filing fee | 515 USD |
Form I-485 adjustment of status (includes biometrics) | 1,440 USD |
Immigrant visa fee (consular processing) | 205 USD |
USCIS Immigrant Fee | 235 USD |
| Status type | Permanent / indefinite |
~9,940 per year (7.1% of employment-based preference cap); certain subcategories such as Iraqi/Afghan translators have separate statutory allocations
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
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)
| 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 |
| Application Steps | Determine the applicable EB-4 subcategory and gather subcategory-specific evidence; File Form I-360 … | uscis.gov |
| Dependent Visa | Dependents allowed, spouse can work | uscis.gov |
| Fee Breakdown | Form I-360 filing fee: 515 USD; Form I-485 adjustment of status (includes biometrics): 1440 USD; Imm… | uscis.gov |
| Fees | Form I-360: $515; Form I-485 (adjustment of status, includes biometrics): $1,440; Immigrant visa fee… | uscis.gov |
| Forms | I-360; I-485; G-28 | uscis.gov |
| Forms · G-28 · description | Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative | uscis.gov |
| Forms · I-360 · description | Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant | uscis.gov |
| Forms · I-485 · description | Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | uscis.gov |
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