The EB‑1C Visa Explained

You’ve led teams across continents, built operations abroad, and now your company wants you to take on a senior role in the United States. The challenge is finding a visa that recognizes your leadership experience and corporate track record.

The EB‑1C visa is designed specifically for multinational managers and executives who oversee global operations and need to continue their leadership role in the United States. It provides a direct route to an EB‑1C green card, granting permanent residency through sponsorship by your U.S. employer.

This guide explains who qualifies for the EB‑1C, what documentation is required, and how the application process works from petition to green card approval.

What is the EB-1C visa?

The EB‑1C is part of the first preference employment‑based immigration category under U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It allows multinational executives and managers to obtain a green card through their U.S. employer.

This visa category is often used by foreign nationals already in the United States on an L‑1A visa who wish to transition from temporary status to permanent residence.

Many applicants become eligible for the EB‑1C after entering the United States on an L‑1A visa, which also serves executives and managers of multinational companies. The EB‑1C provides a natural progression from temporary L‑1A status to a permanent immigrant category.

The EB‑1C category recognizes the importance of global leadership roles in expanding U.S. business operations. Once you understand its purpose, the next step is confirming whether you and your employer meet the eligibility standards.

EB-1C eligibility requirements

Before qualifying for the benefits of permanent residence, your petition must first meet the EB‑1C eligibility criteria: a set of regulatory standards that define who can apply and under what corporate conditions. These requirements ensure that only genuine multinational executives and managers leading active international operations qualify for permanent residence through this category. In other words, eligibility is the bridge between your global leadership experience and your pathway to a U.S. green card.

Your role and responsibilities

To qualify for the EB-1C category, you must currently work or have a job offer to work in either executive capacity or managerial capacity for the U.S. employer. These terms have specific meanings under immigration law that go beyond typical corporate titles.

Executive capacity means you direct the management of the organization or a major component. You establish goals and policies, exercise wide latitude in discretionary decision-making, and receive only general supervision from higher executives, the board of directors, or stockholders. Your primary duties must be executive in nature. You cannot spend most of your time performing the tasks necessary to produce the company's products or services.

Managerial capacity involves supervising and controlling the work of other supervisory, professional, or managerial employees. Alternatively, you might manage an essential function within the organization at a senior level. First-line supervisors qualify only if the employees they supervise are professionals with bachelor's degrees or equivalent. Managing a function means you operate at a senior level within the organizational hierarchy with respect to the function managed.

Employment history requirements

Your work history forms the foundation of EB-1C eligibility. You must have been employed outside the United States by the foreign company for at least one continuous year within the three years immediately preceding either your entry as a nonimmigrant (if already in the U.S.) or the filing of your petition (if outside the U.S.).

This one-year requirement must be met through full-time employment in an executive or managerial role. The position abroad needs to qualify as executive or managerial under the same definitions, though it doesn't need to be identical to your U.S. position. Brief trips to the United States for business meetings don't interrupt the continuity of foreign employment, but extended assignments or transfers to the U.S. during this period could affect eligibility.

Company relationship requirements

The relationship between your foreign employer and U.S. employer determines whether you qualify for EB-1C classification. The petitioning U.S. company must have a qualifying relationship with the foreign entity where you worked. Acceptable relationships include:

• Parent company: One entity owns more than 50% of the other entity and has control.
• Branch office: The U.S. and foreign offices are different operating locations of the same legal entity.
• Subsidiary: One company is majority-owned by the other, creating a parent-subsidiary relationship.
• Affiliate: Both companies are subsidiaries of the same parent or are under common ownership and control.

Both the U.S. company and foreign entity must be actively doing business throughout the entire immigration process. "Doing business" means the regular, systematic, and continuous provision of goods or services rather than merely maintaining an office or hiring agents. USCIS scrutinizes corporate structures carefully, requiring documentation of ownership percentages, voting rights, and actual control.

You can compare this structure with other employment‑based paths like the EB‑2 visa, which requires labor certification, or the O‑1A visa used by top founders and researchers.

The permanent job offer

Unlike some employment-based categories that allow self-petition options, the EB-1C requires a permanent job offer from a U.S. employer. The position must be full-time and involve executive or managerial duties. Your U.S. employer serves as the petitioning employer and must demonstrate both the ability and intention to employ you permanently in a qualifying role.

The EB-1C application process

Once you’ve confirmed eligibility, the next step is understanding how the EB‑1C petition moves through U.S. immigration channels. The process involves coordination between your U.S. employer, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and, in many cases, the Department of State. Each stage requires specific filings, evidence, and timing, which together determine the success and duration of your green card application.

It’s also helpful to see the filing procedures for similar visas laid out side by side.

The following steps outline how an EB‑1C petition typically progresses from preparation through final approval.

Step 1: Employer preparation and evidence gathering

Before filing any forms, your U.S. employer must compile comprehensive documentation proving every element of eligibility. This evidence package forms the foundation of your EB-1C petition and directly impacts USCIS's decision.

Corporate relationship documentation includes stock certificates, articles of incorporation, annual reports, corporate tax returns, and organizational charts showing ownership structures. For complex multinational organizations, this might require tracing ownership through multiple entities to establish the qualifying relationship.

Your employment verification requires foreign payroll records, employment contracts, and detailed position descriptions from your time abroad. The employer must document your executive or managerial authority through organizational charts showing your direct reports, examples of your decision-making authority, and evidence of the types of decisions you made.

The U.S. position documentation must clearly establish the executive or managerial nature of your permanent role. This includes detailed duty descriptions, reporting structures, budget authority, and the professional qualifications of employees you'll supervise (if claiming managerial capacity based on personnel management).

Step 2: Filing Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker)

Your employer files Form I-140 with USCIS, selecting the EB-1C classification. The form requires basic information about both the petitioner (employer) and beneficiary (you), but the real substance lies in the supporting evidence and detailed cover letter explaining how you meet each requirement.

The I-140 petition package typically includes:

• Completed Form I-140 with appropriate signatures
• Filing fee payment (current fee structure available on USCIS.gov)
• Comprehensive cover letter outlining eligibility
• All corporate relationship evidence
• Your employment documentation from abroad
• U.S. job offer and position details
• Financial documentation proving the employer's ability to pay your salary

Your employer must pay all required government fees. The specific fee amounts depend on employer size and other factors, as detailed in current USCIS fee schedules.

Step 3: USCIS adjudication and priority dates

Once USCIS receives your petition, it issues a receipt notice confirming acceptance and assigning your case a priority date. This date becomes crucial for tracking when you can proceed to the final green card stage, as visa numbers must be available for your country of birth.

USCIS reviews your petition for completeness and eligibility. Immigration officers examine whether your duties truly qualify as executive or managerial, whether the corporate relationship is properly documented, and whether both entities are actively doing business. They may issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) seeking additional documentation or clarification on specific points.

Common RFE topics include:

• More detailed duty descriptions differentiating executive/managerial from operational tasks
• Additional proof of the qualifying corporate relationship
• Evidence that you actually exercised the claimed authority abroad
• Documentation showing the foreign entity continues doing business

Standard USCIS processing time for EB-1C petitions ranges from 8 to 18 months. As of 2025, premium processing is not available for EB-1C petitions, meaning you cannot pay extra for expedited 15-day processing.

Step 4: Visa availability and the Visa Bulletin

After I-140 approval, you must wait for an immigrant visa number to become available based on your priority date and country of birth. The U.S. Department of State's Visa Bulletin, published monthly, shows which priority dates are current for each category and country.

For many countries, the EB-1 category remains current, meaning approved petitioners can proceed immediately to the final stage. However, certain countries with high demand, particularly India and China, may experience backlogs where priority dates retrogress or advance slowly. During this waiting period, you must maintain a lawful status if in the United States.

Step 5: Adjustment of status or consular processing

Once your priority date becomes current, you can move forward to the final stage of the EB‑1C process, the transition from petition approval to permanent residence. At this point, your eligibility has been fully established, and the focus shifts from proving qualification to completing the formal steps of becoming a green card holder.

There are two primary ways to do this: by adjusting your status inside the United States or through consular processing abroad. Each path involves distinct forms, timelines, and practical considerations depending on where you live, your current visa status, and your future travel plans.

• Adjustment of Status (for those in the U.S.): File Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence) with USCIS. This allows you to remain in the United States while your green card application processes. You'll also file Form I-765 for employment authorization and Form I-131 for travel permission while the I-485 is pending.
• Consular Processing (for those outside the U.S.): During consular processing, you complete Form DS‑260 to finalize the EB‑1C visa application before attending your interview. After approval, you enter the United States as a permanent resident.

Both paths require:

• Medical examination by an authorized physician
• Police certificates from countries where you've lived
• Biometrics appointment for fingerprinting
• Evidence of financial support (Form I-864 may be required)

For applicants abroad, visa interviews take place at designated U.S. consulates or embassies, where consular officers verify eligibility and corporate documentation before granting an immigrant visa.

Step 6: Final adjudication

For adjustment of status, USCIS may schedule an interview at its local office, though interviews are sometimes waived for employment-based cases. The officer reviews your application, verifies your identity, and confirms ongoing eligibility.

For consular processing, you attend a visa interview where a consular officer reviews your documentation, asks about your qualifications and intentions, and makes a final decision. If approved, you will receive an immigrant visa to enter the United States within six months.

Upon approval through either path, you become a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) of the United States.

Each pathway concludes the visa process, leading to the issuance of your EB‑1C green card.

EB-1C processing time and timeline considerations

Understanding realistic timelines helps you plan your transition and maintain an appropriate immigration status throughout the process. The EB-1C involves multiple stages, each with its own processing window.

• Form I-140 processing: Currently 8-18 months for regular processing. As of 2025, USCIS does not offer premium processing for EB-1C petitions, unlike some other employment categories. Processing times vary by service center and current USCIS workload.
• Visa number availability: For many countries, visa numbers are immediately available in the EB-1 category. Indian and Chinese nationals may wait months or years, depending on priority date movement in the Visa Bulletin. This creates uncertainty for planning purposes.
• Adjustment of status (I-485): Typically 6-12 months from filing to approval. During this time, you can obtain work authorization (EAD) and travel permission (Advance Parole) usually within 3-5 months of filing.
• Consular processing: Generally, 3-6 months from when the National Visa Center receives your case until your interview is scheduled. Additional time may be needed for administrative processing after the interview.

Total timeline from initial I-140 filing to green card typically ranges from 18 months to 3 years, depending on your country of birth and chosen processing path. Applicants from backlogged countries should prepare for potentially longer waits and may need to extend their nonimmigrant status multiple times.

From I‑140 approval to issuance, the EB‑1C green card typically takes between 18 months and 3 years, depending on your nationality and whether your case proceeds through USCIS or consular processing.

Applicants from backlogged countries should prepare for potentially longer waits and may need to extend their nonimmigrant status multiple times. As a general disclaimer, actual timelines vary depending on USCIS workloads and Department of State scheduling.

Benefits of EB-1C permanent residency

Securing permanent residence through the EB‑1C category provides substantial benefits for you and your immediate family members. Understanding these advantages helps you appreciate the value of successfully completing this process.

Before exploring long‑term green‑card benefits, it’s helpful to recall the core advantages of the EB‑1C pathway itself—each designed to streamline and stabilize the immigration process:

• No PERM labor certification required: The EB‑1C eliminates the Department of Labor’s lengthy certification process that other employment‑based categories require.
• Direct route to permanent residency: Qualifying executives and managers move straight from employment sponsorship to a green card without intermediate steps.
• Dual intent recognized: You can lawfully maintain temporary nonimmigrant status (such as L‑1A) while pursuing a permanent residence application.

Together, these features make the EB‑1C one of the most efficient and reliable routes to long‑term U.S. immigration. Once approved, permanent residency provides broad, enduring benefits that extend to your family:

• Permanent work authorization: You can work for any U.S. employer without requiring sponsorship or new work visas. Although your initial status may be tied to the petitioning employer, full job portability follows after meeting residence requirements.
• Family benefits: Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 automatically qualify as derivative beneficiaries, receiving the same green cards and full resident rights—including unrestricted work authorization for spouses and in‑state tuition access for children.
• Path to citizenship: After five years of permanent residence (or three if married to a U.S. citizen), you can apply for naturalization, gaining the full rights of citizenship such as voting, government eligibility, and family sponsorship privileges.
• Travel flexibility: Permanent residents can travel internationally without the visa restrictions that apply to nonimmigrant workers. While extended absences may affect residency, regular business and personal travel become straightforward.
• No visa renewals: Unlike temporary work visas that require frequent extensions, a green card provides indefinite lawful status; only the physical card must be renewed every 10 years.
• Business opportunities: Permanent residents can freely start businesses, invest in companies, or pursue entrepreneurial ventures without the limitations placed on nonimmigrant visa holders.

The EB‑1C thus serves as both a professional and personal milestone—allowing seasoned executives and global entrepreneurs to establish lasting operations and lives in the United States with far greater flexibility and security.

EB‑1C vs. EB‑1A and EB‑2 visas

When choosing an employment‑based green card category, it’s important to understand how the EB‑1C fits within the broader system. Each option under the EB‑1 and EB‑2 classifications targets a different type of applicant and pathway to permanent residency.

The EB‑1A category, by contrast, targets individuals with extraordinary ability in their fields who can self‑petition without an employer sponsor. Together, the EB‑1A and EB‑1C represent the highest‑priority tiers of employment‑based immigration.

Knowing these distinctions helps you and your employer decide which route aligns best with your background and long‑term goals.

This comparison shows that the EB‑1C suits senior leaders within multinational organizations, while the EB‑1A targets individuals with extraordinary ability, and the EB‑2 serves professionals requiring labor certification.

Maintaining eligibility and compliance

Even after your petition is filed or approved, your EB‑1C eligibility doesn’t remain static. USCIS continues to evaluate whether both the company and position still meet the qualifying standards. Staying compliant at every stage is essential to protect your case and avoid delays or denials.

To remain eligible throughout the EB‑1C process:

• Both the U.S. and foreign companies must continue doing business.
• Your executive or managerial role must remain consistent.
• Any major change in corporate structure or job duties may require an amended petition.

Important note: USCIS applies heightened scrutiny to “functional managers” who oversee processes rather than personnel. Detailed evidence of decision‑making authority and organizational impact strengthens your case.

Once your petition is approved, your family members can apply for derivative benefits.

Dependents under the EB‑1C visa

Once your EB‑1C petition is approved, your immediate family members can join your journey toward permanent residence. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 qualify as derivative beneficiaries, allowing them to live in the United States lawfully, pursue education, and work while your green card application is processed.

These derivative benefits mirror many of the privileges you hold as the principal applicant, helping keep families unified throughout the immigration process. Dependents can integrate into U.S. life while maintaining continuity of residence toward their own permanent status, ensuring a stable transition for the entire household.

• Spouses may apply for work authorization using Form I‑765.
• Children can attend school at any level without separate student visas.
• Dependents file their own Form I‑485 (if in the U.S.) or Form DS‑260 (if abroad) alongside your main petition.

Their status remains tied to yours until permanent residency is granted, meaning changes to your immigration standing directly affect them. Once your green card is issued, they receive independent permanent resident status with full freedom to live, work, and study in the United States.

Lighthouse streamlines this family process end‑to‑end—from documenting dependents’ eligibility and preparing required forms to tracking timelines in parallel with the principal application—ensuring a smooth and compliant transition for every household member.

Choosing the right visa support partner

Applying for an EB‑1C visa involves coordination across multiple U.S. immigration agencies, including USCIS and the Department of State. Errors or missing evidence can lead to lengthy delays or denials.

Lighthouse supports both U.S. employers and global professionals through every step. We provide eligibility diagnostics, document preparation, and legal review aligned with USCIS standards. Our technology platform and dedicated case managers coordinate filings, track Visa Bulletin updates, and manage dependent applications. We handle the details so you can focus on business priorities. Start your EB‑1C evaluation today to find out whether you, your role, and your dependents qualify for permanent residence under this category. Get started with Lighthouse.

Frequently asked questions

Who qualifies for an EB‑1C visa?

Executives and managers who have worked for a foreign company for at least one continuous year within the past three years may qualify if the U.S. employer has a qualifying relationship and offers a permanent executive or managerial position. Both entities must be actively doing business.

What is the difference between EB‑1A and EB‑1C?

EB‑1A is for individuals with extraordinary ability who can self‑petition, while EB‑1C is for multinational executives and managers sponsored by a U.S. employer. EB‑1C focuses on corporate leadership rather than individual achievements.

How hard is it to get an EB‑1C visa?

The EB‑1C is evidence‑intensive. Success depends on proving genuine executive or managerial authority, active business operations, and a qualifying corporate relationship. Many applicants work with an immigration attorney to prepare a strong petition and avoid Requests for Evidence.

What is the 3‑year rule for EB‑1C?

You must have worked for your foreign employer for at least one continuous year during the three years immediately before applying or entering the U.S. on an L‑1A visa. This ensures recent, relevant managerial or executive experience.

Does EB‑1C require a job offer?

Yes. A permanent, full‑time job offer from a U.S. employer is mandatory. Self‑petitioning is not allowed under this category.

How long is the wait for EB‑1C?

Most applicants experience a total processing time of 1.5–2.5 years from petition to green card approval, depending on USCIS workload and Visa Bulletin availability. Applicants from high‑demand countries may wait longer for visa numbers to become current.