To qualify as an EB-4 special immigrant religious worker, the applicant must be a member of a religious denomination that has a non-profit religious organization in the United States. The applicant must have been a member of this religious denomination for at least two years before applying for admission to the United States. The alien must be entering the United States to work:
- As a minister or priest of the religious denomination;
- In a professional capacity in a religious vocation or occupation for the religious organization (a professional capacity means that a U.S. baccalaureate degree or foreign equivalent is required to do this job); or
- In a religious vocation or occupation for the religious organization or its nonprofit affiliate. (A religious vocation means a calling or devotion to religious life. Taking vows can prove that you have a calling to religious life. A religious occupation is an activity devoted to traditional religious functions. Examples of religious occupations include (but are not limited to) cantors, missionaries, and religious instructors.)