Fort Myers EB-4 Visa Attorney
Helping Special Immigrants Obtain Green Cards
Many immigrants seek to obtain green cards, which confer lawful permanent residency, through employment-based immigration. Visas are available to workers with extraordinary abilities, workers with advanced degrees, immigrant investors, professional workers, skilled workers, and unskilled workers. But what happens if you do not appear to be eligible under any of these categories?
If you do not qualify for an EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, or EB-5 visa, you may still be able to obtain a green card through employment-based immigration. Our Fort Myers EB-4 visa lawyer can assess your circumstances and determine if you are likely to qualify for lawful permanent residency as a “special immigrant.” It can be difficult to understand EB-4 visa requirements, but our experienced team at the Hurtado Immigration Law can help you understand the immigration options available to you.
Schedule an initial consultation with our firm by contacting us online or calling (239) 800-0580.
What Is the EB-4 Visa?
Like with other employment-based visas, the EB-4 visa is a green card, which confers lawful permanent residency. This means recipients can live anywhere in the United States and can eventually qualify for citizenship.
The EB-4 visa category works somewhat differently than other employment-based immigration categories. The EB-4 visa is reserved for “special immigrants” made up of a myriad of subcategories. Each of these subcategories was authorized by Congress for situations not covered by other employment-based visa categories.
Only 10,000 EB-4 visas are available each year. However, in many cases, there are fewer applicants than visas theoretically available. There are also maximum thresholds for certain specific subcategories. Up to 5,000 EB-4 visas can be issued to religious workers who are not ministers or clergy members each year. Up to 5,000 EB-4 visas can be issued to Iraqi nationals who worked with the U.S. government in their country each year. And up to 1,500 EB-4 visas can be issued to Afghan nationals who worked with the U.S. government in their country each year.
Qualifying for the EB-4 Visa
Because the EB-4 visa category is comprised of so many subcategories, it can sometimes be difficult to ascertain whether you qualify. Certain subcategories are in the process of being phased out. Our Fort Myers EB-4 visa attorney can review your situation and advise whether you are likely to be found eligible.
You may be eligible for an EB-4 visa if you are:
- A victim of domestic violence
- A qualifying Afghan national that worked with the U.S. government and are now under threat for doing so
- A qualifying Iraqi national that worked with the U.S. government and are now under threat for doing so
- A foreign worker that worked with the U.S. government or American Institute of Taiwan for 15 years or more
- A qualifying clergy member or religious vocational worker
- A Panama Canal Treaty employee that worked for at least one year or whose safety was jeopardized by treaty ratification after working for at least five years
- A Panamanian that worked with the U.S. government for at least 15 years
- Retired employees of qualifying international organizations that have lived in the U.S. for a qualifying period
- A dependent of the U.S. juvenile court system as a result of neglect, abuse, or abandonment by immigrant parents
- An enlisted member or veteran of the U.S. military that honorably served for at least 12 years that began their service outside the U.S. and after October 15, 1978
- A NATO civilian employee
- A broadcaster for the International Broadcasting Bureau of the Broadcasting Board of Governors
- A medical graduate that entered the U.S. before January 10, 1978, remained continuously present in the U.S. in the time since, and continued to work in the field of medicine
Explore Your EB-4 Visa Options with Our Help
We are committed to helping you achieve your American Dream and will explore all available immigration options, including the many miscellaneous subcategories of the EB-4 visa. Our Fort Myers EB-4 visa lawyer at Hurtado Immigration Law can work closely with you to prepare your application materials and represent you in communications with USCIS.
If you think you or a loved one may qualify for the EB-4 visa, do not hesitate to call (239) 800-0580 or contact us online.
