How to get an EB-4 “Employment-Based Visa: 4th Preference” in California

Foreigners in California holding an EB-4 (employment-based, preference 4) visa belong to one of the following ten categories:

1. religious workers,
2. doctors
3. broadcasters,
4. military members,
5. International organization employees,
6. Iraqi/Afghan translators,
7. retired NATO-6 employees,
8. Panama Canal Zone employees,
9. Iraqis who have provided assistance to the U.S., or
10. spouses and children of deceased NATO-6 employees.

California maintains several military bases including Los Angeles AFB, McClellan AFB, Naval Base Coronado, and MCLB Barstow which employ EB-4 visa holders including interpreters and soldiers.

EB-4 visas cost around $640. They take a few months to more than a year to obtain depending on the non-citizen’s profession. And foreigners granted EB-4 visas are automatically given legal permanent residence (a green card).

Below our California immigration lawyers discuss employment-based, preference 4 visas, including application procedures, fees, and time frames. Click on a question to jump to the answer.

• 1. Am I eligible for an EB-4 visa in Los Angeles, CA?
• 2. What is the application process for an EB-4 visa in Los Angeles, CA?
• 3. What proof do I need to get an EB-4 visa?
• 4. What is the price of an EB-4 visa?
• 5. How soon can I get an EB-4 visa?
• 6. Can my family come with me to California on an EB-4 visa?

Also refer to our informational articles on EB-1 visas in Los Angeles California, EB-2 visas in Los Angeles California, EB-3 visas in Los Angeles California, and EB-5 visas in Los Angeles California.

1. Am I eligible for an EB-4 visa in Los Angeles, California?

Foreigners may be eligible for an EB-4 (“special immigrant”) visa if they are either:

• a religious worker;
• a broadcaster (this comprises reporters, editors, writers, translators, editors, announcers, or producers);
• an Iraqi/Afghan interpreter;
• an Iraqi who has given assistance to the U.S.;
• an employee of an international organization;
• a doctor;
• a member of the Armed Forces;
• an employee of the Panama Canal Zone;
• a retired employee of NATO-6; and
• the spouse or child of a deceased NATO-6 employee.

2. What is the application process for an EB-4 visa in Los Angeles, California?

In order to obtain an EB-4 visa, the U.S. employer has to file a Form I-360 with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). (In some cases, the foreigner may self-petition.)

Getting an EB-4 visa is an automatic grant of legal permanent residence. Eventually, EB-4 visa holders may be able to become a U.S. citizen.

3. What proof do I need to get an EB-4 visa?

Some evidence an EB-4 applicant may need to produce includes degrees, tax returns, letters of employment, and/or media articles.

Broadcasters have special requirements. Their EB-4 visa applications should include:

• an attestation containing the broadcaster’s job title,
• a complete description of the prospective U.S. job, and
• the broadcaster’s skills as they relate to the prospective job.

4. What is the price of an EB-4 visa?

It costs $640 total for an EB-4 visa. Filing the I-360 form carries a $435 fee, and the employment visa processing fee is $205.

5. How soon can I get an EB-4 visa?

The time frame for getting an EB-4 visa ranges from a few months to a few years.

6. Can my family come with me to California on an EB-4 visa?

It varies from case to case. Some EB-4 visa-holders may be able to bring their spouse and unmarried child(ren) under 21 with them to the U.S.

Call a California immigration attorney…

Contact us for guidance and representation.

If you are looking to immigrate to California on an EB-4 visa, call our Los Angeles immigration attorneys for a free consultation.

Go to our California visa main page.

Also learn about our Nevada EB-4 visa lawyers.