EB-4: Employment-Based Immigration - Permanent Workers - Special Immigrants

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Special immigrants are individuals who may be eligible for lawful permanent resident status based on specific visa categories that are listed in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Eligibility depends on the requirements for each visa category.

To petition for an employment-based fourth preference immigrant, your employer must file a Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant. However, there are certain situations where you, the employee, may petition on your own behalf (known as self-petitioning). 

Eligibility

You may be eligible to be classified as a special immigrant if you are a:  

  • Religious worker; 

  • Panama Canal Company Employee, Canal Zone Government Employee, or U.S. Government in the Canal Zone Employee; 

  • Physician; 

  • G-4 International Organization Employee or Family Member or NATO-6 employee or family member; 

  • Broadcaster;   

  • Afghanistan or Iraq national who worked with the U.S. armed forces as a translator; 

  • Iraq national who worked for or on behalf of the U.S. government in Iraq; or 

  • Afghanistan national who worked for or on behalf of the U.S. government or the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan; 

Other classifications not listed above may be eligible to use Form I-360. Please check the form for updates. 

For more information please visit the Employment-Based Immigration: Fourth Preference – EB-4 page. 

How to File

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After You File

Once we receive your Form I-360, we will process your petition and then you will receive a: 

  • Receipt notice confirming we received your petition;
  • Biometric services notice, if applicable;
  • Notice to appear for an interview, if required; and
  • Notice of our decision.

Forms and Fees

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