EB-4: Religious Workers

If you have been a religious worker for at least two years, and are entering the U.S. to work as a religious worker for a religious denomination that has a non-profit religious organization in the U.S., you may be able to qualify for U.S. Permanent Residency based on the EB-4 category.

The EB-4 category is a relatively advantageous category to apply for U.S. Permanent Residency, if you qualify, because it does not require a Labor Certification, and the priority date is usually current.

To qualify as an EB-4 special immigrant religious worker, you must be a member of a religious denomination that has a non-profit religious organization in the United States. You must have been a member of this religious denomination for at least two years before applying for admission to the United States. You must be entering the United States to work:

* As a minister or priest of the religious denomination;
* In a professional capacity in a religious vocation or occupation for the religious organization (a professional capacity means that a U.S. baccalaureate degree or foreign equivalent is required to do this job); or
* In a religious vocation or occupation for the religious organization or its nonprofit affiliate. (A religious vocation means a calling or devotion to religious life. Taking vows can prove that you have a calling to religious life. A religious occupation is an activity devoted to traditional religious functions. Examples of religious occupations include (but are not limited to) cantors, missionaries, and religious instructors.)

You must have been performing this religious work for the past two years.

Source: USCIS

Note that when you first enter the U.S., you may consider applying for an R-1, religious worker, temporary visa (if you qualify) while you wait for U.S. Permanent Residency status.

Note that other miscellaneous "Special Immigrants" are also often classified as "EB-4". See List of primary avenues to U.S. Permanent Residency (“Green Card” status).