“Special immigrants”

Jurisdiction: United States United States

This refers to:

  • Certain categories of immigrants who were exempt from numerical limitation before fiscal year 1992 and subject to limitation under the employment-based fourth preference beginning in 1992;
  • Persons who lost citizenship by marriage;
  • Persons who lost citizenship by serving in foreign armed forces;
  • Ministers of religion and other religious workers, and their spouses and children;
  • Certain employees and former employees of the U.S. government abroad, and their spouses and children;
  • Panama Canal Act immigrants;
  • Certain foreign medical school graduates, and their spouses and children;
  • Certain retired employees of international organizations, and their spouses and children;
  • Juvenile court dependents; and
  • Certain noncitizens serving in the U.S. armed forces, and their spouses and children.
Source: USCIS Glossary, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services