ImmigrantSpecial immigrantAnnual capForm I-360

EB-4 Certain Special Immigrants

Fourth-preference green card for special immigrants such as religious workers, Special Immigrant Juveniles, certain broadcasters, retired international-organization employees and others.

Last reviewed Oct 1, 2026Sources: USCIS · Department of StateReport an error

At a glance

Result: Permanent residence (green card)
Annual numbers: 7.1% of the employment-based limit
Petition: Form I-360 — $515 (some groups $0)
Labor certification: Not required
Final action date (all countries): Dec 15, 2022
Non-minister religious workers: Authorized through Dec 11, 2026

Non-minister religious worker category expires December 11, 2026. H.R. 6500, signed September 2, 2026, extended the EB-4 Certain Religious Workers (SR) category only through December 11, 2026 (Visa Bulletin, October 2026). Unless Congress extends it again, non-minister religious workers cannot immigrate under EB-4 after that date.

Overview

EB-4 covers a list of “special immigrants” defined by Congress. USCIS lists religious workers, Special Immigrant Juveniles, certain broadcasters, retired G-4 international-organization and NATO-6 civilian employees and their families, certain U.S. government employees abroad, members of the U.S. armed forces, Panama Canal employees, certain physicians licensed and practicing by January 9, 1978, and certain S nonimmigrant informants (USCIS EB-4).

Most subgroups use Form I-360, filed either by the person or by a sponsoring organization; no labor certification is needed.

EB-4 receives 7.1% of the employment-based limit (Visa Bulletin). In October 2026 the final action date for all countries is December 15, 2022, so most EB-4 applicants wait for a visa number after approval.

Who qualifies

Common EB-4 subgroups

Religious workers, including the Certain Religious Workers (SR) category, which Congress authorizes for limited periods (currently through December 11, 2026).
Special Immigrant Juveniles: young people in the United States who have a qualifying state juvenile court order.
Retired G-4 international organization employees and NATO-6 civilian employees, and their family members.
Certain current and former U.S. government employees abroad, U.S. armed forces members, and certain broadcasters.
Panama Canal company or Canal Zone government employees; physicians licensed and practicing in a U.S. state as of January 9, 1978; certain S nonimmigrants.

Separate programs

Iraqi and Afghan special immigrant visas follow their own rules; see the SIV page.

Duration & extensions

Green card	10-year card, renewable
Conditional period	None
Naturalization	Generally after 5 years as a permanent resident (USCIS)

Fees

Government fees for an EB-4 case, as published on October 1, 2026:

Fee	Amount	Who pays	Notes
Form I-360 filing fee	$515	Petitioner	General filing, including religious workers. G-1055
Form I-360 — Special Immigrant Juvenile	$0 + $250	Petitioner	No filing fee, but a separate $250 fee under Pub. L. 119-21 applies. G-1055
Form I-360 — Iraqi/Afghan translators and employees; U.S. armed forces (INA 101(a)(27)(K))	$0	—	G-1055
Form I-485 (adjustment of status, age 14+)	$1,440 paper / $1,390 online	Each applicant	Applicants under 14 filing with a parent: $950 paper / $900 online. G-1055
Immigrant visa processing fee (I-360 / special immigrant)	$205	Each applicant	Consular processing. State Dept fees
USCIS Immigrant Fee	$235	Each immigrant visa holder	Paid after the immigrant visa is issued, to produce the green card. G-1055

Fees change; confirm on the USCIS Fee Schedule and the State Department’s visa fee page before paying. A biometrics fee is not listed separately for these forms in G-1055. Premium processing is not designated for Form I-360.

Processing time

Final action date (Oct 2026): Dec 15, 2022; All countries, EB-4 and religious workers (Visa Bulletin)
Dates for Filing (Oct 2026): Jan 1, 2025; Used by USCIS this month for EB I-485s (USCIS)

I-360 processing times vary by category; check USCIS processing times.

Application steps

1
Confirm the subgroup
Identify the EB-4 category and its specific evidence requirements on USCIS.
2
File Form I-360
The person or sponsoring organization files Form I-360 with the fee (or fee exemption).
3
Wait for a visa number
Compare the priority date with the EB-4 cutoff in the Visa Bulletin.
4
Adjust status or consular process
File Form I-485 in the United States or apply for an immigrant visa abroad.
5
Green card
After biometrics and any interview, the green card is issued.

Required documents

Typical evidence

Religious workers: documentation from the sponsoring religious organization and of the worker’s religious role
Special Immigrant Juveniles: the state juvenile court order and related findings
Other subgroups: employment or service records required by that category
Passport and civil documents

Dependents & family

Spouses and children of preference immigrants are entitled to the same status and order of consideration when accompanying or following to join (INA 203(d), per the Visa Bulletin). Eligibility of derivatives can differ by EB-4 subgroup.

After you arrive

EB-4 leads directly to permanent residence:

Step 1

Receive the green card

Consular immigrants pay the $235 USCIS Immigrant Fee unless exempt (e.g., Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants).

Step 2

Naturalize

Most permanent residents may apply after 5 years (USCIS).

Since May 21, 2026, USCIS policy memo PM-602-0199 tells officers to treat adjustment of status as extraordinary, discretionary relief. It recognizes dual-intent nonimmigrant categories (such as H-1B and L-1) as an exception, but states that holding dual-intent status is not by itself enough for a favorable decision. Nationals of countries covered by Proclamations 10949 and 10998 face a suspension of immigrant visa issuance (with limited exceptions); a separate 75-country immigrant visa pause that began January 21, 2026 ended on August 21, 2026 under a court order.

R-1

Temporary religious worker

Nonimmigrant status often held before an EB-4 religious-worker petition.

SIV

Special immigrant visas (Iraq/Afghanistan)

Separate special immigrant programs.

International organization employees

Retired G-4 employees may qualify for EB-4.

NATO

NATO personnel

Retired NATO-6 civilians may qualify for EB-4.

Witness or informant

S nonimmigrants have an EB-4 path.

Common questions

Which form is used for EB-4?

Most subgroups use Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant; the general fee is $515 (G-1055).

Does the religious worker category expire?

The Certain Religious Workers (SR) category is authorized only through December 11, 2026 under H.R. 6500, signed September 2, 2026 (Visa Bulletin).

Is there a wait?

Yes. In October 2026 the EB-4 final action date is December 15, 2022 for every country (Visa Bulletin).

Official sources

Recent changes

Sep 18, 2026
New Form I-485 edition required. USCIS rejects the 01/20/25 edition of Form I-485 if postmarked or electronically submitted on or after September 18, 2026; only the 09/18/26 edition is accepted, with no grace period. Source ↗
Sep 18, 2026
2022 public charge rule rescinded. A DHS final rule (91 FR 45324) rescinding the 2022 public charge regulations took effect September 18, 2026. It applies to applications for admission made, and adjustment applications postmarked or electronically submitted, on or after that date; USCIS lists employment-based categories among those subject to the public charge ground. Source ↗
Sep 2, 2026
Non-minister religious worker category extended to December 11, 2026. H.R. 6500, signed September 2, 2026, extends the EB-4 Certain Religious Workers (SR) category through December 11, 2026, as reported in the October 2026 Visa Bulletin. Source ↗
Aug 24, 2026
Court enjoins USCIS adjudication holds for nationals of 39 countries. In Red Eagle Law, L.C. v. Edlow (N.D. Cal.), the court enjoined PM-602-0192 and PM-602-0194 for a certified class of citizens or natives of the countries listed in Proclamations 10949 or 10998 (or the Palestinian Authority) and ordered USCIS to adjudicate their applications in the normal course. USCIS says it will follow the order pending further judicial review. Source ↗
Aug 21, 2026
Immigrant visa pause for 75 nationalities ends. Under the court’s order in CLINIC et al. v. Rubio et al., the January 2026 pause of immigrant visa issuance to nationals of 75 countries is no longer in effect as of August 21, 2026. Source ↗
Jun 5, 2026
Court vacates USCIS benefit-hold memos agency-wide. In Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island v. USCIS (D.R.I.), the court vacated PM-602-0192, PM-602-0194 and PA 2025-26, which had put on hold benefit requests (including adjustment of status) from nationals of the countries listed in Proclamations 10949 and 10998. Final judgment was entered June 11, 2026, and USCIS says the vacatur applies agency-wide. Source ↗
May 21, 2026
PM-602-0199: adjustment of status treated as “extraordinary” discretionary relief. USCIS policy memo directs officers to weigh that adjustment of status is an act of administrative grace not meant to replace consular processing. It acknowledges exceptions for dual-intent nonimmigrant categories, but says dual-intent status alone does not warrant a favorable exercise of discretion. Source ↗
Jan 21, 2026
Immigrant visa issuance paused for nationals of 75 countries. The Department of State paused immigrant visa issuance to nationals of 75 countries while reviewing public-charge screening. The pause ended August 21, 2026 under a court order. Source ↗
Jan 1, 2026
Proclamation 10998 entry restrictions take effect. Proclamation 10998 (signed December 16, 2025) took effect January 1, 2026, fully suspending visas, including all immigrant visas, for nationals of 19 countries plus Palestinian Authority travel documents, and suspending all immigrant visas for nationals of 20 more countries (for 19 of them, also B, F, M and J visas), subject to listed exceptions. Source ↗
Jun 4, 2025
Proclamation 10949 restricts entry from listed countries. Presidential Proclamation 10949 suspended visa issuance, including immigrant visas, for nationals of designated countries; it was later expanded by Proclamation 10998. Source ↗

This page is general reference material compiled from the official sources above and is not legal advice. Eligibility depends on individual facts; rules and fees change, so confirm with the agency before you file. VisaTypes.com is not affiliated with USCIS, the Department of State or any government agency. Spotted an error? Tell us.