Business Specialty Visa Plan Green Card for Broadcaster EB-4 visa

Green Card for Broadcaster EB-4 visa

To understand the United States EB-4 visa which allows a special category of broadcasters to apply for a Green Card, you need to understand the United States long standing commitment to open, free speech and democratic values.

The US has always had a big stake in the propagation of freedom and democratic principles and values. One of the tools it has employed to achieve this is broadcasting. Everyone is familiar with the Voice of America, whose first broadcast, in Germany in February 1942, during World War II, started with these words by American journalist William Harlan Hale —

“We bring you voices from America. Today, and daily from now on, we shall speak to you about America and the war. The news may be good for us. The news may be bad. But we shall tell you the truth.”

Today, VOA is one of five US civilian broadcast networks that fall under the purview of the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM). The others are Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to Communist Czechoslovakia; the Office of Cuba Broadcasting with its Radio and TV Martí; Radio Free Asia; and the Arabic-language stations Alhurra Television and Radio Sawa of the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, which were launched in 2004.

The EB-4 visa is intended for immigrants (and their spouses and children) who are coming to work in the US as broadcasters for the USAGM or for a grantee of the USAGM. Even before entering the US, they may apply for a Green Card As part of the application process. No more than 100 EB-4 visas are issued every year.

The EB-4 falls under the category of employment-based (or EB) immigrant visas, which includes five prioritized groups of employment. The EB-4 visa covers fourth-priority jobs comprising religious workers, special immigrant juveniles, Afghans or Iraqis who served as translators for the US and certain special categories of immigrant international broadcasters.

This visa guide specifically focuses on the last group.

Who qualifies as a ‘broadcaster’?

To be eligible as a special immigrant broadcaster for an EB-4 visa, you need to meet the USAGM definition of ‘broadcaster’ which includes reporters, writers, translators, editors, producers, announcers, news broadcast hosts or news analysis specialists. It excludes persons who provide purely technical or support services or work in the entertainment field.

How do you apply for an EB-4 visa?

Applying for an EB-4 visa is a two-step process.

In Step 1 you will establish that you are eligible to receive an immigrant visa because you qualify as a special immigrant broadcaster. This is done by submitting a petition on Form I-360. The petition must be filed by USAGM or a grantee of the USAGM.

You can move to Step 2 if your Form I-360 is approved in Step 1 and start the process of applying for an EB-4 visa to enter the United States and become a permanent resident as a Green Card holder.

The process is described step by step below.

1. USAGM or a grantee of USAGM submits Form I-360 on your behalf petitioning your classification as a special immigrant broadcaster eligible for an EB-4 visa. The petition must include the following —

– Your broadcasting expertise, including how long you have carrying out the duties related to the prospective position; OR

– ​A statement as to how you have the skills that qualify you for the position.

Other required documents, biometrics and filing fees must be included.

2. If the Form I-360 petition is approved the case file will be forwarded to the National Visa Centre (NVC), along with a case number and invoice ID number. At this point, the case will be transferred to your local consular office for processing.
3. You will receive a starter package from NVC. The NVC will notify you when they receive your petition file and also when your immigration visa number is about to become available. Your case number and invoice ID number will be bundled with instructions and detailed information on how to apply and mailed to you in your home country. Since this category is fourth in priority among EB visas, this package will only be dispatched when your priority date becomes current. In other words, you may have to wait a bit.

What is a priority date? The priority date is the day your Form I-360 petition is received by the USCIS. This is matched against the ‘final action dates’ listed in the visa bulletin that the Department of State releases each month. When your priority date meets the EB-4 final action date for your country, your date will become ‘current’. This means that an immigrant visa number is now available and you can move onto the next step.

Priority dates will vary from person to person and country to country because there is an annual limit of 100 EB-4 visas, distributed over several countries. A backlog could develop if too many people from one country apply for the same green card. If you are applying from a heavily populated country such as China or India, expect a longer priority date waiting time than others.

Once you receive the package from NVC, you can start the process of applying for an EB-4 visa at your home country’s U.S Embassy or Consulate.

4. File Form D-261: This relatively simple form, which you can fill and submit online, establishes a line between you and the NVC, and will contain your contact information and any other information that would make it easy to contact you during the application process. On the starting page of the online submission form, you can start the process by entering the case number you were given as part of your starter kit. Once you have submitted the form, print out a copy of the confirmation page and number. You will need it later.
5. Get your medical tests and vaccinations. The NVC package will list the medical examinations and vaccinations that you will need before entering the US. Set up appointments to get all these required medical tests and vaccinations. Remember, medical documents must be signed by a registered, licenced doctor.
6. Compile the required documents. Once the NVC approves your form D-261 and gives you a date for the visa interview, put together the required documents. These will include —

• Passport valid for more than 6 months after the planned arrival date in the US
• Visa interview appointment letter
• Confirmation page of your Form DS-261
• Medical and vaccination documents signed by a registered doctor
• 2 photographs that conform with photo requirements
• Diplomas and certificates to prove academic achievements
• A copy of your resume or CV
• Documents proving you have no court or criminal record
• Any additional supporting documents that may be required by the NVC

7. Pay the visa fee: Two separate charges, totalling $445, will become due once the NVC has processed your DS-261, and you will need to pay them online. The State Department’s application processing fee is $325 and the financial support form fee ($120).

The fee invoices will become available at the NVC’s Consular Electronic Application Center after about a week, the time it takes for the NVC to process your DS-261 payment.

7. Go for the visa interview. This final step is a crucial one, and will determine whether you get the EB-4 visa. Keep in mind that one of the most common reasons for visa denial is incomplete, inaccurate or fraudulent paperwork. If you’ve carried out all the previous steps diligently, this final step will be that much smoother.

The visa officer may request additional documents at his or her discretion and these requirements may vary from country to country.

How much does an EB-4 visa cost?

There can be up to five costs on the way to getting an EB-4 visa —

Filing fee for the USCIS Form I-360 petition. This will be paid by the USAGM or the grantee of the USAGM

Processing fee for Form DS-261, totaling $445

Medical examination and vaccination costs

Translation fees, if any, for interpreting foreign language to English

You will be required to pay all fees except for the Form I-360 filing fee.

Need more help?

If you still feel that you would like to have professional help in making your application or would like to consult a lawyer who specializes in immigration and visa matters, you can explore some of your options, including how to access our exclusive list of professional immigration lawyers.

If you have questions or would like clarifications, please send us an email and we’ll do our best to get back to you within 24 hours with an answer.