Immigrant Visa for EB-1C Multinational Managers or Executive
EB-1C is an employment-based, first-preference immigration classification for managers and executives. It allows multinational companies to transfer their top-level employees to the U.S. as permanent residents to work at the employer’s U.S. parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate.
The company must be a U.S. employer with a qualifying relationship with a foreign company, such as a parent company, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate, and it needs to have been doing business in the U.S. for at least one year prior to filing. The employee beneficiary must have been employed in an executive or managerial capacity for the foreign company for at least 1 year in the past 3 years before filing the petition, and will be employed in the U.S. in an executive or managerial position.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to obtain L-1A before applying for EB-1C?
No. Your employer can file EB-1C without you obtaining L1 visa. The petition can be filed while you are outside U.S. This way, you will start working for the U.S. entity after you obtain the work authorization.
Can I self-petition for an EB-1C green card?
No. The EB-1C petition must be filed by a U.S. employer. Individuals cannot self-petition for this category.
Is labor certification (PERM) required for EB-1C?
No. The EB-1C category is exempt from labor certification. Applicants do not need to go through the recruitment and certification process with the U.S. Department of Labor.
What is the difference between L-1A and EB-1C?
Although the requirement are very similar, L-1A and EB-1C are different petitions. L-1A petition is an employment-based, non-immigrant classification for employees from multinational companies. It is a work visa. While EB-1B is an immigration classification for managers and executives to obtain green cards in the U.S.