EB-4 Visas – Permanent Workers: Special Immigrants

A Fourth Preference applicant must be the beneficiary of an approved Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, Form I-360, with the exception of Certain Employees or Former Employees of the U.S. Government Abroad (see number 3 below). Labor certification is not required for any of the Certain Special Immigrants subgroups. Special Immigrants receive 7.1 percent of the yearly worldwide limit of employment-based immigrant visas.

There are many subgroups within this category:

1. Broadcasters in the U.S. employed by the International Broadcasting Bureau of the Broadcasting Board of Governors or a grantee of such organization
2. Ministers of Religion
3. Certain Employees or Former Employees of the U.S. Government Abroad – Must use Form DS-1884, Petition To Classify Special Immigrant Under INA 203(b)(4) As An Employee Or Former Employee of the U.S. Government Abroad
4. Certain Former Employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government
5. Certain Former Employees of the U.S. Government in the Panama Canal Zone
6. Certain Former Employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government on April 1st, 1979
7. Iraqi and Afghan interpreters/translators who have worked directly with the United States armed forces or under Chief of Mission authority as a translator/interpreter for a period of at least 12 months and meet requirements. This classification has an annual numeric limitation of 50 visas. See Special Immigrant Visas for Iraqi and Afghan Translators/Interpreters for more information.
8. Iraqi and Afghan nationals who have provided faithful and valuable service while employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government in Iraq for not less than one year on or after March 20th, 2003 and prior to September 30, 2013, or while employed by, or on behalf of the U.S. government, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), or a successor mission in Afghanistan for a period of not less than two years between October 7th, 2001 and December 31, 2022, and have experienced an ongoing serious threat as a consequence of that employment. See Special Immigrant Visas for Iraqis – Worked for/on behalf of the U.S. Government and Afghans – Worked for/on behalf of the U.S. Government for more information.
9. Certain Foreign Medical Graduates (Adjustments Only)
10. Certain Retired International Organization Employees
11. Certain Unmarried Sons and Daughters of International Organization Employees
12. Certain Surviving Spouses of deceased International Organization Employees
13. Special Immigrant Juveniles (no family member derivatives; Adjustments Only)
14. Persons Recruited Outside of the United States Who Have Served or are Enlisted to Serve in the U.S. Armed Forces
15. Certain retired NATO-6 civilians
16. Certain Unmarried Sons and Daughters of NATO-6 civilians
17. Certain Surviving Spouses of deceased NATO-6 civilian employees
18. Persons who are beneficiaries of petitions or labor certification applications filed prior to September 11th, 2001, if the petition or application was rendered void due to a terrorist act on September 11th, 2001
19. Certain Religious Workers