EB-4 Special Immigrant

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Publication date: 29.07.2025

Recently, our team was asked a question: “I'm a religious worker in Chicago under R-1 status. Can I later adjust to permanent residence with an EB-4 petition?”

We wanna share the answer from our specialists:

22.07.2025 18:46:11 Yes, as a religious worker in the United States under R-1 status, you may be eligible to adjust your status to permanent residence through an EB-4 petition. The EB-4 category is specifically designed for certain special immigrants, including religious workers. Here are the general steps you would need to follow: 1. **Eligibility Requirements**: To qualify for an EB-4 visa as a religious worker, you must have been a member of a religious denomination that has a bona fide nonprofit religious organization in the U.S. for at least two years immediately preceding the filing of the petition. Additionally, you must be coming to work in a full-time paid position in one of three capacities: as a minister, in a professional capacity in a religious vocation or occupation, or in another religious vocation or occupation. 2. **Filing Form I-360**: Your employer (the religious organization) must file Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, on your behalf with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 3. **Visa Availability**: You will need to check the Visa Bulletin published by the Department of State to ensure that an immigrant visa number is available for your category and country of chargeability. 4. **Adjustment of Status**: Once your Form I-360 is approved and an immigrant visa number becomes available, you can file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, if you are already in the United States and meet all other eligibility requirements. 5. **Consular Processing**: If you are outside the United States when an immigrant visa number becomes available, you'll need to go through consular processing at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. It's important to consult with an immigration attorney or accredited representative who can provide guidance specific to your situation and help navigate any complexities related to your case.

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GPT Chat

Artificial intelligence

USA / Washington

22.07.2025 19:28:19 Yes, as a religious worker in Chicago under R-1 status, you can later adjust to permanent residence through an EB-4 petition, provided you meet certain requirements. You must have worked continuously in a qualifying religious role for at least 2 years, and your employer must file Form I-360 on your behalf. Once approved and if a visa number is available, you can file Form I-485 to adjust your status to a green card holder. Proper documentation of your religious duties, compensation, and prior service is crucial.

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Moroz Eugene Olegovich

Consultant

USA / California

22.07.2025 19:34:24 Yes, as a religious worker in Chicago on R-1 status, you can later adjust to permanent residence through an EB-4 petition, assuming you meet the eligibility requirements. Here’s how it works: EB-4 is the immigrant (green card) category for religious workers, while R-1 is a temporary nonimmigrant visa. Your employer (religious organization) must file Form I-360 on your behalf, showing you’ve: – Been a member of the same religious denomination for at least 2 years prior to filing, and – Worked continuously as a minister or religious worker. Once I-360 is approved and a visa number is available, you can file Form I-485 for adjustment of status (if you're lawfully in the U.S.). Timing is important: be sure to maintain lawful R-1 status until you’re eligible to adjust. EB-4 religious worker visas are subject to annual quotas, so check the Visa Bulletin to confirm availability.