EB-4 Visa Guide for Special Immigrants

The EB-4 visa is unique because the eligibility requirements are narrower than the first-, second-, or third-preference employment-based visas. It offers a path to a Green Card for several types of “special immigrants,” and it’s long been associated with religious workers.

The EB-4 category also has its own annual visa limit and backlogs, so wait times and filing strategies can differ significantly from those for other employment-based options.

What Is the EB-4 Visa?

EB-4 is a category of employment-based immigrant visas for specific “special immigrant” groups defined by U.S. immigration law.

It includes religious workers, certain special immigrant juveniles (SIJ), certain broadcasters, and certain employees of the U.S. government abroad and their families.

Like the other employment-based categories, EB-4 provides a way for immigrants to become lawful permanent residents of the U.S. and contribute through their work and service. But instead of focusing on degrees or extraordinary skills, EB-4 is tied to specific roles or circumstances, which are often mission-based or humanitarian in nature.

Examples include:

• Ministers and other religious workers
• Special immigrant juveniles who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected
• Broadcasters working for the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM)
• Certain long-term employees of the U.S. government abroad and their family members
• Certain members of the U.S. armed forces
• Certain physicians and other groups the law classifies as “special immigrants.”

💡 The annual limit for EB-4 visas in fiscal year 2025 was reached in February 2025. The category was again available beginning on October 1, 2025, with the start of fiscal year 2026.

Who qualifies for the EB-4 visa?

Special immigrants who might qualify for an EB-4 visa

Religious workers: Full-time ministers and other religious workers employed by a nonprofit religious organization or a nonprofit affiliated with a religious denomination.

Special immigrant juveniles: Unmarried immigrants under the age of 21 who are dependent on the court or a government agency due to abuse or neglect

Certain broadcasters: Broadcasters, including translators, reporters, writers, and producers, who come to the U.S. to work for the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) and their families

Certain employees of international organizations, such as NATO, the World Bank, or the IMF, for example, and their families

Certain U.S. government employees abroad and their family members, such as foreign nationals working for a U.S. embassy

Members of the U.S. armed forces who have served for at least 12 years under qualifying conditions

Certain Iraqi and Afghan translators and other nationals who worked for or on behalf of the U.S. government

Panama Canal company or Canal Zone government employees

Certain long-term physicians who were licensed and practicing in a U.S. state on January 9, 1978

Foreign nationals who have assisted the U.S. government by providing information about criminals, criminal organizations, or terrorists (these are known as S nonimmigrants)

It should be noted that this isn’t an exhaustive list of special immigrants eligible for an EB-4 visa. Because this category is unique and includes several types of immigrants with varying qualifying dates, changes are possible.

If you think you might be eligible, consult with an attorney for the most up-to-date guidance.

Priority dates for EB-4 visas

Because this is the employment-based fourth preference category of visas and has a smaller average annual baseline of visas available, there is a backlog and a long wait for priority dates to become current. A priority date is, essentially, your place in line for a Green Card.

As of the April 2026 visa bulletin, the EB-4 priority dates for all countries is January 1, 2023. In May, the EB-4 priority date will be pushed back to July 15, 2022.

💡 Federal law caps how many employment-based Green Cards can be issued each year, and EB-4 special immigrants receive 7.1% of the worldwide employment-based limit. In practice, that’s around 10,000 visas a year. Under EB-4, the law imposes caps on each subgroup. Up to 5,000 visas per year can go to certain non-minister religious workers, up to 3,000 can go to certain employees of the U.S. government abroad, and up to 100 can go to certain international broadcasters, not counting their spouses and children. By comparison, the first three employment-based preferences (EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3) are each allotted 28.6% of the employment-based worldwide limit, which amounts to roughly 40,000 visas in a typical fiscal year.

Benefits of the EB-4 visa

While the eligibility criteria for an EB-4 visa differ from those of other immigrant visas, the benefits are similar.

• No PERM certification requirement: There is no need to go through the Department of Labor process to get a PERM certification before applying for a visa.
• Fewer travel restrictions: Lawful permanent residents can travel in and out of the U.S. with fewer restrictions than visa holders.
• Work flexibility: Green Card holders can work anywhere in the U.S.
• Benefits for family members: Some special immigrants under EB-4 may bring a spouse and dependent children to the U.S. as well. For others, once they become lawful permanent residents, their family members may apply for Green Cards.
• Path to citizenship: Becoming a lawful permanent resident offers a chance to become a U.S. citizen after five years of living in the U.S. 

The EB-4 visa application process

Step 1: Confirm eligibility and category

Work with an immigration attorney to confirm which special immigrant category you fit into. Because the category has limited visa availability, an attorney could help you evaluate all your Green Card options and whether an EB-4 visa is the best option for you.

Step 2: File Form I-360

Most EB-4 cases start with filing a Form I-360 petition and supporting documents as evidence.

If the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves it, you’re officially classified as a special immigrant. However, you still need a visa number to move on to the Green Card stage.

Step 3: Watch your priority date and the Visa Bulletin

Your priority date (usually the I-360 filing date) controls when you can apply for a Green Card.

You (or your lawyer) can track it in the Department of State Visa Bulletin and follow USCIS’s monthly guidance on which chart to use for adjustment cases.

Step 4: File your Green Card application

When your priority date is current, and your priority date is current, you can apply for your Green Card.

• If you’re in the U.S., this is an adjustment of status: file Form I-485 (and often I-765/I-131) with USCIS.
• If you’re outside the U.S., you’ll go through consular processing: complete DS-260, submit civil documents to the National Visa Center (NVC), and attend a consular interview.
• Each eligible family member normally files their own Green Card application.

Step 6: Biometrics, interview, and decision

You’ll attend a biometrics appointment and usually appear for an interview, either with USCIS or at a consulate.

If approved, you become a lawful permanent resident and receive your Green Card.

EB-4 backlog, priority dates, and visa availability details

Because EB-4 accounts for only 7.1% of the worldwide employment-based Green Card numbers (about 10,000 per year), demand often exceeds supply. The Visa Bulletin shows which EB-4 priority dates are “current” each month.

Backlogs and retrogression

When demand is too high, backlogs develop, which means that cut-off dates remain far in the past.

Retrogression happens when a cut-off date moves backward from one month to the next, making some applicants wait longer even after they were briefly current. This has been common for EB-4.

What you can do while you wait

While your EB-4 priority date is not current, you can:

• Maintain another status, like R-1, F-1, or H-1B, if available.
• Explore alternative Green Card options (EB-1, EB-2/NIW, family-based) that might move faster.
• If eligible to file Form I-485 under the applicable chart, use the chance to apply for an EAD and advance parole.
• Keep your contact information up to date and respond promptly to any USCIS or National Visa Center (NVC) requests (if applying from outside the U.S.).
• Because cut-off dates change monthly, it’s wise to check the Visa Bulletin regularly and confirm timing with your immigration lawyer before making big decisions like travel or job changes.

EB-4 fees and processing times

Filing fees listed here are current as of December 2025. Please note that fees change from time to time, so you should check with USCIS and the State Department to understand current costs before you apply for an EB-4 visa.

Government fees for an EB-4 visa typically include:

Form I-360 filing fee: $515

• Many EB-4 categories are exempt from the I-360 filing fee, including Amerasian special immigrants, victims of abuse under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Afghan and Iraqi nationalists who worked with the U.S. military or on behalf of the U.S. government, immigrants who served in the U.S. military

Green Card filing in the U.S.:

• I-485 filing fee: $1,440 (by mail) or $1,390 (online)
  • This fee varies by age and category. There is no fee for some groups, such as special immigrant juveniles or members of the U.S. military, for example.
  • Form I-765 for employment authorization: $260-520, depending on when you file the form. For most applicants, the fee is lower when filed along with a new I-485 adjustment of status. A stand-alone filing later can have a higher fee.
  • Form I-131 for advance parole (if you need to travel outside the U.S. while your adjustment of status application is pending): $580-630, depending on whether you file online or by paper.

Consular processing (outside the U.S.):

• Immigrant visa fee (DS-260): $205
• USCIS immigrant fee: $235. to process your immigrant packet and produce a physical lawful permanent resident card (or Green Card).
• Medical examination and related document costs: These fees vary by service and location, but to get a sense of total costs, be aware that there may be medical exam fees, translator fees, or other fees associated with document preparation or necessary screenings.

Exact amounts change frequently, so it’s a good idea to check the current USCIS fee schedule and Department of State fee pages before filing.

Processing times

Form I-360: As of December 2025, USCIS lists processing times of 8.5 to 37 months for 80% of cases, depending on which special immigrant eligibility you’re applying under. Religious worker applications were processed more quickly than those of other special immigrant categories.

Green Card phase (I-485 or consular): Varies by USCIS office, consulate, country, and security checks.

Wait for a visa number: For many EB-4 applicants, this is the longest part, which can last several years.

EB-4 cases involve multiple steps, multiple fees, and long, moving timelines. Having a clear strategy that includes backup options can help reduce surprises. Plus, it’s easier to plan your life and work when you have realistic expectations and understand the immigration process.

Get help applying for your EB-4 visa

Because the EB-4 is narrowly defined, heavily backlogged, and affected by frequent policy shifts, most applicants benefit from experienced legal guidance.

At Manifest Law, our immigration lawyers can help you confirm your eligibility for an EB-4 visa, check whether your family is eligible as well, and help you navigate any new changes the government has made to the process.

If you’re thinking about getting your Green Card through an EB-4 visa, or if you already have an approved I-360 and aren’t sure what comes next, you can request a consultation with Manifest. Our attorneys can create a plan that’s tailored for your unique situation.

Frequently Asked Questions about EB-4 visas

What is the difference between EB-3 and EB-4 visas?

EB-3 is for skilled workers, professionals, and certain other workers. It usually requires a PERM labor certification and a permanent job offer from a U.S. employer.

EB-4 is for “special immigrants,” and it’s a closed list that includes religious workers, SIJ youth, some Afghan and Iraqi nationals who worked with the U.S., certain U.S. government employees abroad, and others. It often does not require PERM and is more focused on immigrants engaged in humanitarian work or special missions than on addressing job-market challenges.

Can I include my family on my EB-4 application?

In many EB-4 categories, yes. A spouse and unmarried children under 21 can often apply as derivative Green Card applicants based on your approved EB-4 petition, each with their own I-485 or DS-260, fees, and (usually) interviews. Timing for children nearing 21 should be reviewed carefully with an attorney.

Can a Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) sponsor their parents for immigration benefits?

Generally, no. A person granted Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status is barred from sponsoring their parents for immigration benefits, even if the SIJ finding was based on abuse, neglect, or abandonment by only one parent. This restriction is built into the SIJ statute because, for immigration purposes, SIJs are treated similarly to “orphans,” and Congress specifically limited their ability to petition for parents.

Even after becoming a lawful permanent resident, this bar usually remains in place. In most cases, it continues even after naturalization as a U.S. citizen. There are very narrow and highly fact-specific scenarios where sponsorship might be explored after naturalization, but these are rare and legally complex. Anyone with SIJ status considering family-based options for a parent should speak with an experienced immigration attorney before making assumptions or filing anything, as the consequences of an incorrect filing can be serious.