Quick answer: The EB-4 visa is a US green card category for “special immigrants”. The best-known group is religious workers: ministers, and people in religious vocations or occupations who have been members of the same denomination for at least two years and have worked in a religious role for two years. A qualifying US religious organization files Form I-360. EB-4 is heavily backlogged in 2026: the October 2026 Visa Bulletin final action date is December 15, 2022 for all countries. The non-minister part of the program also needs Congress to renew it regularly, and it is currently extended only to December 11, 2026.
This guide explains who qualifies, the documents, the process and the realistic wait. Last reviewed October 2026 against USCIS and State Department sources.
Who EB-4 covers
| EB-4 group | Notes |
|---|---|
| Ministers of religion | Permanent category; not affected by the sunset date |
| Non-minister religious workers (SR) | Religious vocations and occupations; needs Congress to extend it |
| Special immigrant juveniles (SIJ) | Children in the US juvenile court system who can’t reunify with a parent |
| Certain Afghan and Iraqi nationals | Those who worked for or with the US government |
| Others | Certain broadcasters, international organization employees, NATO civilian employees, armed forces members and physicians |
EB-4 religious worker requirements
- Membership: at least two years as a member of a religious denomination that has a bona fide nonprofit religious organization in the US, immediately before filing.
- Work experience: at least two years of continuous religious work immediately before filing. Breaks for study or other reasons can sometimes be allowed.
- Job offer: a full-time position (at least 35 hours a week) with a qualifying US religious organization, as a minister or in a religious vocation or occupation.
- Compensation: evidence of how you will be paid or supported, such as salary or room and board, without relying on supplementary jobs or public benefits.
- Tax-exempt employer: the organization must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) or covered by a group exemption.
Documents for Form I-360
- The employer’s attestation, signed by an authorized official
- IRS tax-exemption letter (or group exemption letter)
- Proof of your denominational membership for two years
- Proof of two years of qualifying work: pay records, W-2s or tax returns if in the US, or letters and records if abroad
- For ministers: proof of ordination or authorization to conduct services
- Details of the job, the pay and how you’ll be supported
USCIS may visit the organization’s premises to verify the job. Inconsistent or vague job descriptions are a common reason for requests for evidence.
The process step by step
- The religious organization files Form I-360 with USCIS. The petition fee is $515 for religious workers. Check the fee calculator before filing.
- USCIS approves the I-360, possibly after a site visit.
- You wait until your priority date is current in the Visa Bulletin.
- If you’re in the US, you file Form I-485. If you’re abroad, you go through consular processing.
The 2026 backlog and the sunset date
- Final action date (October 2026): December 15, 2022 for all countries.
- Dates for filing (October 2026): January 1, 2025. USCIS is accepting adjustment applications on this chart this month.
- Non-minister program: extended through December 11, 2026. If Congress doesn’t renew it, non-minister visas can’t be issued and non-minister I-485s can’t be approved after that date, even with a current priority date.
- Ministers are not affected by the sunset.
EB-4 vs the R-1 visa
| R-1 | EB-4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Temporary work visa | Green card |
| Maximum stay | 5 years in total | Permanent |
| Prior membership needed | 2 years | 2 years, plus 2 years of work |
| Typical use | Start working in the US now | Stay long term |
Many religious workers come on R-1 first and then apply for EB-4. Because the R-1 has a five-year cap and EB-4 is backlogged, plan the timing carefully with an immigration attorney.
FAQ
Can a volunteer qualify for EB-4?
Generally no. The job must be full time and paid or otherwise compensated, and the past work must normally have been compensated too, with limited exceptions.
Can my spouse and children come too?
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can get green cards as derivatives.
What if the non-minister program expires while I’m waiting?
Approved I-360s stay valid, but green cards can’t be issued under the non-minister category until Congress renews it. Ministers aren’t affected.
Is EB-4 faster than EB-2 or EB-3?
Not in 2026. EB-4 is backlogged for every country. Compare paths in how to get a green card.
Official sources to check before you apply or travel
Visa rules, fees, processing times and entry requirements change often. Always confirm the current requirements on the official government website, or with the embassy or consulate, before you apply, pay or travel. One Visa Center is an independent information site, not a law firm or government agency, and this article is not legal advice. Read how we research, fact-check and use AI tools in our Editorial Policy.
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