EB-4 Category

The Employment-Based Fourth Preference Category

  • Foreign national religious workers; and
  • Employees and former employees of the U.S. Government abroad

Immigration Solutions Group, PLLC (”ISG”) has a track record of success in helping individuals obtain permanent residence through this category which consists of foreign national religious workers and employees or former employees of the U.S. Government abroad.

Religious Workers

Religious workers are divided into three subcategories: ministers, professionals and workers in a religious occupation or vocation.  Note: Only ministers will qualify as Fourth Employment-Based Special Immigrants after September 30, 2008.  Each petition for a religious worker must be filed on Form I-360. It must also be accompanied by:

  • Evidence that the organization qualifies as a nonprofit religious organization in the form of an Internal Revenue Service tax-exempt documentation;
  • Letter from an authorized official of the religious organization in the United States establishing membership for at least two (2) years in the religious denomination and two years experience as a minister, professional or worker in a religious occupation or vocation immediately preceding the filing of the petition; and
  • The letter must also certify the individual is authorized to perform the duties of a minister, or is qualified in the religious occupation or vocation.

Applicants who seek to enter the U.S. as a professional or worker in a religious vocation or occupation are eligible for EB 4th preference classification only through September 30, 2008 and must meet the following requirements:

  • Membership in the religious denomination that has had a bona fide nonprofit religious organization in the U.S. for at least two (2) years immediately preceding the date of filing the petition;
  • Must also have worked in the religious vocation during the same two-year period; and
  • Seeking entry into the U.S. solely for the purpose of carrying on a religious vocation or occupation.