Who this is for
- Ministers and other religious workers coming to work for a qualifying nonprofit religious organization
- Children and young people under 21 who have a qualifying state juvenile court order (Special Immigrant Juveniles)
- Certain Afghan and Iraqi nationals who worked for or on behalf of the U.S. government, including certain translators and interpreters
- Certain broadcasters working for the U.S. Agency for Global Media or one of its grantees
- Certain retired employees of G-4 international organizations or NATO-6 civilian employees, and some of their family members
- Smaller groups such as long-serving members of the U.S. armed forces, certain U.S. government employees abroad, former Panama Canal employees and certain physicians licensed in a U.S. state as of January 9, 1978
Forms involved
| Form | Official name | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| I-360 | Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant | The main petition for most EB-4 categories; depending on the category it is filed by the employer or by the person themselves. |
| I-485 | Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | Used to apply for the green card from inside the U.S. once the petition allows it and a visa number is available. |
| DS-260 | Online Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application | Used by people outside the U.S. to apply for the immigrant visa through the National Visa Center and a U.S. consulate. |
| I-765 | Application for Employment Authorization | Can generally be filed with or after a pending I-485 to ask for a work permit. |
Step by step
- Identify the EB-4 categoryEach EB-4 category has its own legal requirements and evidence. Knowing which one fits decides who files and what must be proven.
- Prepare the petitionFor most categories, Form I-360 is prepared with evidence for that category. Some Afghan and Iraqi applicants follow a State Department process instead of filing an I-360.
- File and wait for a decisionUSCIS reviews the petition and may ask for more evidence. Religious worker cases can include a site inspection of the organization.
- Check visa availabilityEB-4 has a yearly limit, so the person usually must wait until their priority date is current in the State Department Visa Bulletin before the green card step.
- Apply for the green cardPeople in the U.S. may file Form I-485 when eligible; people abroad complete the DS-260 and attend a consular interview.
- Biometrics, interview and decisionApplicants usually attend a biometrics appointment and may be interviewed before a final decision on permanent residence.
Documents usually requested
- Passport, birth certificate and other identity documents
- Evidence specific to the category, such as a religious organization's tax-exemption letter or a state juvenile court order
- Employment letters, contracts or service records for work-based categories
- Letters of recommendation or approvals required by the category
- Current immigration documents, such as an I-94 record, for people in the U.S.
- Marriage and birth certificates for a spouse and children who may be included
- Medical exam record (Form I-693 in the U.S., or the panel physician exam abroad)
- Certified English translations of foreign-language documents
How long it takes
Timing depends on the category, how long USCIS takes to decide the I-360 and I-485, and, often most important, whether an EB-4 visa number is available under the monthly Visa Bulletin. Check egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/ and the Visa Bulletin for current information.
Government filing fees
Form I-360 carries a filing fee in some EB-4 categories and is fee-exempt in others, and Forms I-485 and DS-260 carry their own fees. Fees are set by USCIS and the State Department and change, so check the fee schedule at uscis.gov/g-1055.
Working and traveling while you wait
People with a pending I-485 can generally apply for a work permit and for advance parole before traveling. Leaving the U.S. without advance parole while an I-485 is pending can cause the application to be treated as abandoned.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming an approved I-360 means a green card can be filed right away, without checking the Visa Bulletin
- Using the wrong category or filing party for the type of special immigrant
- Missing category-specific evidence, such as proof of religious membership or the exact court findings needed for SIJ
- Letting a temporary status lapse while waiting for a visa number
- Traveling abroad while an I-485 is pending without advance parole
How MyUSVisa helps
- Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
- Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
- Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
What does EB-4 mean?
EB-4 is the fourth employment-based green card preference, reserved for special immigrants defined by law. Despite the name, many EB-4 categories, such as Special Immigrant Juveniles, are not based on a job offer. Each category has its own rules.
Who files Form I-360 for EB-4?
It depends on the category. In some categories an employer files the petition, in others the person self-petitions, and a few categories do not use an I-360 at all. The official I-360 instructions list who may file for each category.
Is there a waiting list for EB-4 green cards?
Often, yes. EB-4 has a limited number of visas each year, and demand has caused waits, especially for some countries. The State Department Visa Bulletin shows each month whether a priority date can move forward.
Can a religious worker get a green card through EB-4?
Yes, ministers and certain other religious workers can seek a green card in the special immigrant religious worker category using Form I-360. The non-minister part of this program has a sunset date that Congress has extended many times, so check the current USCIS page.
Can my spouse and children get green cards too?
In many EB-4 categories, a spouse and unmarried children under 21 can apply as derivatives once the main applicant's case allows it. Special Immigrant Juveniles are an exception and cannot later use that status to sponsor their parents.
Official sources
Last reviewed: October 2026
These guides have been reviewed by MyUSVisa counsel. They are provided as is: immigration laws and regulations change often, and like any written communication, this information may contain errors or typos. MyUSVisa is not a law firm, does not provide legal advice and is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency; reading a guide does not create an attorney–client relationship. Only the information on the official USCIS website (uscis.gov) applies — always verify it there, especially if in doubt.