Does the EB-4 share the same quota as the EB-1 or the EB-2?

No. The EB-4 does not share the same quota as the EB-1 or the EB-2. Each of these employment-based green card preferences has its own annual allocation, set by law, and they are counted separately.

The reason lies in the logic of each category:

• The EB-4 is reserved for special immigrants, such as certain religious workers, employees of international organizations, and other groups defined by law.
• The EB-1 serves high-profile candidates, such as those with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, or multinational executives.
• The EB-2 is intended for professionals with an advanced degree or exceptional ability.

Because each category has its own annual limit, the backlog and availability move independently from one another, and they also vary by country of birth. The exact numbers are set by law and may be adjusted, so it is not reliable to quote figures from memory.

To review the limits and current status of each category, it is worth consulting official sources such as the Department of State and USCIS, and evaluating your case with a qualified specialist.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.