EB-4 Religious Workers

In general, the EB-4 category is for religious workers entering the United States pursuant to their ministry.

Eligibility

You must meet the following requirements to qualify for an EB-4 immigrant visa:

1. Must be a member of a religious denomination that has a non-profit religious organization in the United States
2. Must have been a member of this religious denomination for at least two years before applying for admission to the United States
3. Must be entering the United States to work as a minister or priest of the religious denomination;
4. 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
5. In a religious vocation or occupation for the religious organization or its nonprofit affiliate.

Religious Vocation: A religious vocation means a calling or devotion to religious life. Taking vows can prove that you have a calling to religious life.

Religious Occupation: 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.