EB-4 Special Immigrant Visa Lawyer in Houston, Texas

The EB-4 is the fourth-preference employment-based green card category, and the most varied. Unlike EB-1 through EB-3, it does not follow the traditional employer-sponsored model. Instead, it covers a defined set of individuals whose service, status, or circumstances qualify them for permanent residence under a specific federal framework. At Prosperity Immigration Law, our attorneys led by Luis F. Hess, work with religious organizations, U.S. government workers, and individuals navigating the Special Immigrant Juvenile process to build strong, well-documented EB-4 cases.

Schedule a Consultation Today
Prosperity-Immigration-Law-super-lawyers-badge-light
Prosperity-Immigration-Law-houstonia-top-lawyers-badge-light
Prosperity-Immigration-Law-AVVO-10-rating-badge-light
Prosperity-Immigration-Law-american-immigration-lawyers-association-badge-light
Prosperity-Immigration-Law-texas-SBA-badge-light

What Is the EB-4 Category?

The EB-4 (Employment-Based Fourth Preference) was created by Congress as a category for "special immigrants,” individuals who qualify for permanent residence based on a specific role, relationship, or personal circumstance rather than on labor market demand or exceptional credentials. Congress allocates approximately 9,940 EB-4 visas per year, about 7.1% of the total employment-based green card allocation. PERM labor certification is not required for any EB-4 subcategory. The petition form used for most EB-4 categories is Form I-360.

Important: In April 2023, the State Department changed how it allocates EB-4 visas per country, merging previously separate queues for El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras with the global queue.

This has significantly lengthened wait times for all EB-4 applicants from most countries. Filing Form I-360 as early as possible to lock in a priority date is now more important than ever.

Who Qualifies for the EB-4 Category?

The EB-4 category is not defined by a single profession or industry. It encompasses a range of qualifying groups, each with its own eligibility requirements and evidentiary standards. Below is an overview of the most common EB-4 classifications we handle.

1. Religious Workers and Ministers

The EB-4 religious worker subcategory covers two groups:

Ministers: Ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, imams, and other persons authorized to conduct religious worship and perform religious duties for a recognized denomination. Ministers are not subject to a sunset date.
Non-Minister Religious Workers: Those in a religious vocation or occupation, liturgical workers, religious instructors, counselors, cantors, missionaries. This subcategory was extended through September 30, 2026, by H.R. 7148 signed February 3, 2026, and Congressional reauthorization will be required to continue the program beyond that date.

To qualify, the applicant must: be a member of the denomination for at least two years; have worked continuously in a qualifying religious role for at least two years; and have a full-time, compensated job offer from a qualifying U.S. nonprofit religious organization.

2. Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJ)

The SIJ category provides a path to a green card for vulnerable children and young adults in the United States who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by one or both parents, and whose reunification with those parents is not viable. The process runs through both the state juvenile court and the federal immigration system simultaneously.

To qualify, the applicant must:

Be under age 21 at the time the I-360 petition is filed and when USCIS makes its decision
Be unmarried and present in the United States
Have a valid juvenile court order finding: dependency on the court or placement with a state agency; that reunification with one or both parents is not viable due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment; and that return to the home country is not in the juvenile's best interest

Critical restriction: SIJ recipients are generally barred from sponsoring their parents for immigration benefits, even after naturalization as a U.S. citizen. This is a key planning consideration that must be discussed with an attorney before filing.

3. Other Qualifying Groups

The EB-4 category also covers:

Certain U.S. government employees abroad: Foreign nationals who have been employed by the U.S. government abroad for at least 15 years and received a qualifying recommendation from a U.S. government officer.
Retired international organization employees: Certain retired employees of qualifying international organizations (such as the UN or World Bank) who maintained qualifying G-4 or N status in the U.S., with applications filed within six months of retirement.
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces: Certain foreign nationals who served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces under a qualifying treaty or agreement.
Broadcasters (USAGM): Foreign nationals coming to work for the U.S. Agency for Global Media or its grantees, including Voice of America and Radio Free Europe, in qualifying roles.
Afghan and Iraqi nationals: Special immigrant categories for those who served as translators, interpreters, or in other capacities directly assisting U.S. armed forces or the government.
Certain physicians: International medical graduates who practiced medicine in U.S. shortage areas for at least five years under J-1 or H-1B status with a qualifying waiver.

The EB-4 Application Process: Step by Step

  1. File Form I-360: The petition establishing EB-4 eligibility. For religious workers, the employer files; for SIJ, the juvenile files, often with court and attorney involvement. Some categories allow self-petition.
  2. Wait for a Visa Number: Once I-360 is approved, wait for a visa number per the monthly Visa Bulletin. Due to the 2023 queue change, wait times have increased significantly for most nationalities. Filing early is critical to protect your priority date.
  3. Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing: File Form I-485, if in the U.S., or go through consular processing. In some categories where visa numbers are current, I-360 and I-485 can be filed concurrently.
  4. Process:Biometrics, Interview, and Green Card Issuance If required.

What Our Clients Say

  • “I had an exceptional experience working with the Prosperity Immigration Law team. Their deep knowledge of employment-based immigration cases, coupled with their clear communication and meticulous approach, made the entire process seamless and stress-free. I felt fully supported at each step, confident that I was receiving top-tier legal guidance from true experts in the field.” - Tunde D.

  • “We highly recommend Prosperity Immigration Law for helping process my Immigrant visa from the initial application till the issuance of my green card. They did a great job for my case considering we are based overseas. When we started the process, communication and documentation were done remotely with zero issues at all. Staff assigned to my case are very responsive and coordinate us in a prompt and timely manner. Everything happened in perfect timing.” - Roselyn P.

  • “This firm is compassionate, well-organized, and truly committed to their clients. If you're looking for an immigration team that treats you like a person — not just a case — I highly recommend them. Huge thanks to Yakelin and Irving for being absolutely amazing!” - Tulia R.

  • “Thank you to this entire team of professionals who took our case until the approval of our EB-1A visa. They always responded immediately to our calls and questions about it. Our case was taken step by step with the expertise that these procedures require. You can find from the reception the warmth and knowledge of your areas of work, which makes this equipment totally homogeneous, effective and efficient. Thank you so much and we recommend you as THE BEST IMMIGRATION LAWYERS.” - Diego R.

Why Choose Prosperity Immigration Law

We know the process inside and out: Immigration rules change constantly, new policies, updated fee schedules, shifting processing times. We stay current so our clients do not have to.
We approach every case honestly: If an application faces real obstacles, we say so upfront. Our job is to give you a clear picture of where you stand and the most realistic path forward, not to tell you what you want to hear.
We handle the details so you do not have to: From document checklists to filing deadlines, we manage every moving part of your case so nothing is missed and nothing is late.
We think beyond the current application: A visa is rarely the end goal, it is a step toward something larger. We help clients think ahead so that today's filing supports tomorrow's options, not the other way around.
Schedule Your Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions About EB-4 Special Immigrant Visa

Does EB-4 require PERM labor certification? Collapse

No. PERM is not required for any EB-4 subcategory, one of the distinguishing advantages over most EB-2 and all EB-3 petitions.

How long does an EB-4 case take right now?
Can an SIJ recipient sponsor their parents after getting a green card?
Can EB-4 applicants file I-360 and I-485 at the same time? Collapse

In some cases, yes, when a visa number is immediately available. Given current backlogs in most EB-4 subcategories, most applicants file I-360 first to establish a priority date, then wait for a visa number before filing I-485.

Can my family come with me on an EB-4 green card?
Ready to Get Started? Contact Us Today

Speak With an EB-4 Special Immigrant Lawyer in Houston Today

The EB-4 category covers some of the most complex and personal immigration cases we handle, from religious workers serving their communities to young people seeking protection through the Special Immigrant Juvenile process.

Every case deserves careful preparation and an attorney who understands the specific framework that applies to your situation. If you believe you or someone you know may qualify, schedule a consultation with us today for an honest assessment of your eligibility and a clear path forward.

Our Offices

Houston
7322 Southwest Fwy, Tower One, 4th Floor, Suite 470
Houston, TX 77074
(281) 545-3607

Harris County
21815 Oak Park Trails Dr,
Katy, TX 77450
(281) 801-5726

The Woodlands
282 Ed English Dr,
Shenandoah, TX 77385
(281) 949-7126