An existing program offering non-ministers in religious roles to immigrate to the U.S. will end December 20, 2024. President Biden extended the current EB-4 non-minister special immigration religious workers visa program through that date. After that date, the program will no longer be available. Ministers in religious vocations and occupations are not affected, solely non-ministers.
The sunset date for non-minister religious workers and their accompanying spouses and children is December 20, 2024. Individuals with those visas have through that date to pursue other immigration status. Qualifying individuals can request expedited review. However, it is fully up to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to accept or deny the request on a case-by-case basis.
To request expedited review, a nonprofit organization must show they further the social or cultural interests of the U.S. For those chosen for a pre-adjudication compliance review site visit, the petitioner’s expedited processing request cannot be processed until after the review is completed. Requests must show an urgent need for the beneficiary’s role within the nonprofit that fills a social or cultural interest, not the organization. An example is the individual has a unique and specific set of skills to continue an important program. In the request, religious organizations must explain why the particular individual is specifically needed, versus identifying a general shortage.
If you have questions about the non-minister religious workers visa program or any other U.S. immigration related issue, contact us at ILBSG. Our clients work directly with attorneys to ensure they get the right advice for their specific situation.
