The EB4 Visa
The EB4 visa is an employment-based, fourth preference visa offered to special immigrants.
Qualifications
To qualify for an EB4 visa as a special immigrant, an applicant must meet one of the following criteria:
- Religious workers,
- Special immigrant juveniles,
- Certain broadcasters,
- Certain retired officers or employees of a G-4 international organization or NATO-6 civilian employees and their family members,
- Certain employees of the US government who are abroad and their family members,
- Members of the U.S armed forces,
- Panama Canal company or Canal Zone government employees,
- Certain physicians licensed and practicing medicine in a U.S. state as of Jan. 9, 1978,
- Afghan or Iraqi translators or interpreters,
- Iraqis who were employed by or on behalf of the U.S government,
- Afghans who were employed by the U.S government or International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
How to Apply for an EB4 Visa
If you meet the requirements for an EB4 visa, here are the steps you need to complete for approval:
- Fill out a Form G-28. This form entitles your attorney or accredited representative to act on your behalf,
- Your employer must fill out an I-360,
- Passport,
- Documentation that you are eligible to apply for a visa,
- Information about the business you intend to work with or for (name, location, type of business, business owner, etc.),
- U.S. Company Support Statement. This document is supplied by the U.S. employer and explains why your services are necessary for the business,
- Evidence that you plan to leave the United States after your EB4 visa expires or is terminated.
If you are outside the United States, you should apply for your visa at a consulate or embassy. It is recommended to work with a qualified immigration attorney to ensure your documents are filed correctly and expeditiously.
Additional Information
An EB4 visa comes with certain benefits, including:
- You can work legally in the United States,
- You can freely travel in the United States,
- The visa can be renewed indefinitely in two-year increments,
- Your immediate family (spouse and/or unmarried children under 21 years of age) can also qualify for an EB4 visa. While in the United States, your children can go to school and your spouse can apply for an EAD, employment authorization document, giving them permission to work legally in the United States.