Special Immigrants

Certain classes of individuals, like clergy workers and former employees of international organizations, may be eligible for green cards as "special immigrants".

Quota: 10,000 per year
(a maximum of 5,000 available for non-clergy religious workers).

Who is Eligible:

(1) clergy and certain non-clergy religious workers for recognized religious organizations

(2) foreign medical graduates living and practicing in the U.S. since January 9, 1978

(3) former employees of the Panama Canal Zone

(4) former U.S. government workers (min. 15 years)

(5) foreign employees of the U.S. consulate in Hong Kong (min. 3 years)

(6) dependents of U.S. criminal courts