Over the years, several laws have been passed covering special categories of immigrants who qualify for Lawful Permanent Residence.
Requirements
Below is a list of the various ways that you may qualify for Lawful Permanent Residence under the E-B4 Special Immigrants category.
Religious Workers
- A religious minister, nun, priest, rabbi, ordained deacon or monk
- A religious instructor, counselor or catechist
- A worker in a religious health care facilities
- A religious broadcaster
Former Employees of the Panama Canal Zone
- A former employee of the Panama Canal Company or the Canal Zone government
Former Employees of U.S. Government
- A longtime employee of the U.S. Government foreign office
Former Employees of U.S. Armed Forces
- A longtime employee of the U.S. Armed Forces
Retired Employees of International Organizations and their families
- An employee of International Organization who have resided in the U.S. for at least 15 years prior to their retirement on a G-4 or N visa
- Spouse of G-4 or N visa holder
- Child of G-4 or N visa holder
- Spouse of a deceased employee of an international organization
Retired Civilians on NATO-6 visa
- A retired NATO-6 civilian
- Spouse of SN-1 visa holder
- Child of SN-1 visa holder
- Spouse of deceased NATO-6 civilian employee
Employees of International Broadcasting Bureau and their families
- An employee of the International Broadcasting Bureau of the Broadcasting Board of Governors or a grantee of such organization
- Spouse of BC-1 visa holder
- Child of BC-1 visa holder
Special Agricultural Workers
- A foreign agricultural worker who performed agricultural field labor for at least 90 days between May 1, 1985 and May 1, 1986.
Foreign Medical Graduates
- A foreign medical graduate who came to the U.S. before January 10, 1978 on either an H or J visa, and continue to practice medicine.
Battered Spouses and Children
- An Abused spouse of U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- An Abused child of U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
Refugees
- A foreign national displaced by war, famine, and civil and political unrest or, unable or unwilling to return to the home country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution.
- A foreign national in the home country who has experienced persecution in the past or has a well-founded fear of persecution in the future.
Asylum Seekers
- A foreign national in the U.S. who is unable or unwilling to return to the home country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, or membership in a particular social or political group.
Returning Permanent Residents
- A lawful permanent resident who departed the U.S. with the intention of returning, but have stayed out of the U.S. for more than twelve months due to circumstances beyond your control.
Juvenile Foreign children
- A foreign child who has been declared dependent in a juvenile court located in the U.S.
