Expert EB-4 Special Immigrant Visa Lawyers at Raju Law
Expert EB-4 Special Immigrant Visa Lawyers at Raju Law
- Religious workers, Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJ), and more
- Dedicated support for unique immigration pathways
- Compassionate and expert legal representation
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What is EB-4 Visa?
The EB4 visa is a work-based green card category that allows foreign citizens to live and work permanently in the United States. If you match the qualifications for a "special immigrant," you may be eligible for the visa. They can also apply for citizenship by naturalization after five years of living in the U.S. as a green card holder.
Key Benefits of the EB-4 Visa
Permanent Residency (Green Card)
Recipients receive lawful permanent residence at entry or status adjustment, which allows them to live and work permanently in the U.S.
No PERM Certification Required
The EB-4 visa does not involve the lengthy Department of Labour PERM certification unlike many other work-based visas.
Family Inclusion
The initial petition can also include spouses and unmarried children under 21 years old, allowing them to get green cards too.
Path to Citizenship
Recipients who have lived in the U.S. as a permanent resident for 5 years may apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalisation.
Freedom of Employment
Some are occupation-specific (religious workers, broadcasters, special immigrant juveniles, etc.), but there are ways for the recipients to change jobs.
Extended Eligibility for Religious Workers
The EB-4 special immigrant religious worker non-minister program is valid until September 30, 2026 and allows eligible persons to work in full-time, paid positions.
Who Is Eligible for an EB-4 Visa?
If you are a special immigrant, you may be eligible for an employment-based, fourth preference (EB-4) visa. The following special immigrants are eligible for the fourth preference visa:
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 U.S. 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)
Petitioning for an Employment-Based Fourth Preference Immigrant
To petition for an employment-based fourth preference immigrant, the applicant/ 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 self-petition on your behalf.
Where to File
If you live in the United States, you should generally file at the Chicago, Dallas, or Phoenix Lockboxes, depending on where you live and whether you are also filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, at the same time (known as "concurrent filing"). For a complete list of addresses, visit our Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-360 page.
VAWA Self-Petitioning Spouses, Children, and Parents
File your Form I-360 at the Vermont Service Center.
Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJ)
File your Form I-360 at the Chicago Lockbox.
Religious Workers
You cannot file Form I-360 concurrently with Form I-485. You may file Form I-485 only after USCIS approves your Form I-360. See 8 CFR 245.2(a)(2)(B); Cf. Ruiz-Diaz v. the United States, 703 F.3d 483 (9th Cir. 2012).
Iraqi and Afghan nationals who worked for or on behalf of the U.S. government in Iraq or Afghanistan
You may scan and email your petition with the required documents (preferably in .pdf format) to nsci360sivapp@uscis.dhs.gov. Please include the email address you want us to send your electronic receipt. If you do not have an email address with your form, USCIS will send the receipt notice electronically to the email address you used to submit your petition.
EB-4: Step-by-Step Immigration Guide
A complete walkthrough of the EB-4 special immigrant petition process — from eligibility determination through green card approval.
Determine Eligibility and Category
Identify the specific EB-4 category that applies to you — such as religious worker, Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ), certain international broadcaster, or special immigrant translator/interpreter.
File Form I-360 (Petition for Special Immigrant)
Petition: The employer, organization, or in some cases, the individual (self-petition) must file Form I-360 with USCIS.
Supporting Evidence: Include documentation proving eligibility, such as a letter from a religious organization, court orders for juveniles, or employment records.
Filing Fees: Pay all required USCIS filing fees.
Await Approval and Check Priority Date
USCIS will review the petition. Once approved, if the visa category is oversubscribed, applicants must check the monthly Visa Bulletin published by the State Department to see if their priority date is current.
File for the Green Card (Permanent Residence)
Path A: Adjustment of Status (Inside the U.S.): If currently in the U.S. legally, file Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) with USCIS once a visa is available.
Path B: Consular Processing (Outside the U.S.): If outside the U.S., the approved petition is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC), followed by an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
Consular Interview and Medical Exam (For Consular Processing)
Complete Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application).
Undergo a medical examination by an approved physician.
Attend the interview and receive the visa.
Receive Green Card
Upon approval of the I-485 or successful consular interview, the applicant becomes a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States.
Your Green Card will be mailed to your U.S. address. Green card holders may apply for U.S. citizenship by naturalization after five years of permanent residence.
Any timing provided above is an approximate estimation based on recent experience. Future processing times can be significantly different.
How to Choose an EB-4 Visa Lawyer?
When choosing an EB-4 special immigrant visa lawyer, consider several key factors to ensure a successful outcome.
Verify Experience
Verify the lawyer's experience with EB-4 special immigrant categories — religious workers, SIJ, armed forces members, and international organization employees.
Discuss Case Strategy
Ask how they will structure your Form I-360 petition, what evidence they will prioritize, and how they handle USCIS requests for evidence.
Check Client Testimonials
Read reviews from past EB-4 clients to assess satisfaction and the firm's track record with special immigrant visa petitions.
Transparent Fee Structure
Clarify the lawyer's fee structure upfront, including costs for concurrent I-485 filings or any appeal proceedings.
Why Choose Raju Law?
Integration of Legal Expertise and Client Commitment
Raju Law stands out by combining exceptional legal knowledge with a strong focus on client success.
Comprehensive Advocacy
Our attorneys go beyond merely filing petitions; they act as advocates, strategists, and guides throughout the EB-4 process.
Client-Centered Approach
We prioritize your goals, ensuring every step of the special immigrant petition process aligns with your objectives.
Expert Navigation of Legal Complexities
Our team approaches each case with unwavering diligence to simplify and address the intricacies of special immigrant immigration law.