EB-4 Special Immigrants

EB-4 Special Immigrants

The EB-4 category is a broad fourth-preference category covering a range of diverse special immigrant groups. Unlike most employment-based categories, EB-4 eligibility is defined by specific status or affiliation rather than general employment criteria.

Who Is Covered?

Religious Workers: Ministers of religion and non-ministerial religious workers (e.g., nuns, monks, lay religious workers) coming to perform religious vocations or occupations for a qualifying nonprofit religious organization. The non-minister special immigrant religious worker program has been subject to periodic Congressional authorization.

International Organization Employees: Certain employees and officers of qualifying international organizations (e.g., UN, World Bank, IMF) and their immediate family members.

Broadcasters: Employees of the US Agency for Global Media (Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, etc.).

Iraqi and Afghan Nationals: Those who provided faithful and valuable service to US armed forces or government agencies as translators, interpreters, or other support roles.

Juvenile Court Dependents (SIJS): Abused, neglected, or abandoned minors declared dependent on a juvenile court.

Other Categories: Panama Canal employees, retired G-4 international organization employees, physicians, armed forces members, and others.

Key Considerations

• Most sub-categories require Form I-360 as the petition
• Some categories require employer sponsorship; others allow self-petition
• Subject to the EB-4 annual cap (7.1% of EB visas)
• Priority dates can vary widely by sub-category and country of birth