At Donald Gross Law Group, we assist multinational executives and managers in securing EB-1C green cards for permanent residency in the United States through intracompany transfers. From our headquarters in Washington, D.C. and international offices in Mexico City, Lisbon, and Bangkok, our experienced immigration attorneys provide strategic legal guidance for qualifying executives and managers transferring from overseas operations to U.S. affiliates, subsidiaries, or branches of multinational companies.
Why Choose Donald Gross Law Group
- Licensed attorneys: practicing in Washington, D.C., France, and Colombia with advanced legal training from Cornell, University of Chicago Law School, GW University Law School, and the Sorbonne
- Over 30 years of combined experience: representing multinational executives and managers before USCIS with extensive knowledge of corporate immigration requirements
- Government expertise: from prior service at the State Department and National Security Council, providing unique insight into business immigration adjudication standards
- Media recognition: by CNN, MSNBC, Fox Business News, Voice of America, and The Wall Street Journal for authoritative immigration legal analysis
- Corporate specialization: deep understanding of multinational business structures, corporate relationships, and executive transfer requirements for EB-1C petitions
- Multilingual team: fluent in English, Spanish, and French, ensuring clear communication with international business professionals
- Global accessibility: offices in Washington, D.C., Mexico City, Lisbon, and Bangkok, supporting multinational executives across continents
Understanding EB-1C Multinational Executive and Manager Requirements
The EB-1C green card category serves multinational executives and managers who are transferring from overseas operations to U.S. affiliates, subsidiaries, or branches of the same multinational enterprise. This category facilitates the movement of key personnel within multinational organizations, allowing companies to transfer essential leadership talent to support their U.S. operations.
EB-1C status requires a qualifying corporate relationship between the foreign and U.S. entities, demonstrated executive or managerial experience abroad, and a permanent offer for a similar position in the United States. Unlike other employment-based categories, EB-1C focuses on intracompany transfers rather than recruiting external talent, streamlining the process for qualifying multinational companies.
Essential EB-1C Eligibility Criteria
Success in EB-1C applications requires meeting specific requirements related to corporate relationships, employment history, and job responsibilities that distinguish multinational executives and managers from other business professionals.
- Qualifying Corporate Relationship: The U.S. and foreign entities must have a qualifying relationship as parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch, with common ownership or control demonstrating a genuine multinational enterprise.
- U.S. Company Operation: The U.S. entity must have been actively conducting business for at least one year before filing the EB-1C petition, demonstrating established operations and legitimate business activities.
- Foreign Employment Experience: You must have worked for the qualifying foreign entity in an executive or managerial capacity for at least one continuous year during the three years preceding your transfer to the United States.
- Executive or Managerial Role: Your position with both the foreign and U.S. entities must meet USCIS definitions of executive or managerial functions, with appropriate authority and responsibilities.
- Permanent Job Offer: You must have a permanent job offer from the U.S. entity for a position that qualifies as executive or managerial, demonstrating the long-term nature of the transfer.
Defining Executive and Managerial Roles
EB-1C eligibility depends on meeting specific legal definitions of executive and managerial functions that distinguish qualifying positions from supervisory or specialized knowledge roles.
Executive Functions: Executives must direct the management of the organization or a major component, establish goals and policies, exercise wide latitude in discretionary decision-making, and receive only general supervision from higher-level executives, the board of directors, or stockholders. True executives focus on strategic leadership rather than day-to-day operational tasks.
Managerial Functions: Managers must supervise and control the work of other supervisory, professional, or managerial employees, have authority to hire and fire or recommend personnel actions, exercise discretion over day-to-day operations, and primarily perform tasks requiring specialized knowledge and judgment. Functional managers who manage essential functions may qualify even without direct supervisory authority over employees.
Corporate Structure and Relationship Documentation
EB-1C petitions require comprehensive documentation of the qualifying relationship between the foreign and U.S. entities, including corporate structures, ownership arrangements, and business operations that demonstrate genuine multinational enterprise activities.
Corporate documentation must clearly establish parent-subsidiary, affiliate, or branch relationships through articles of incorporation, stock ownership records, organizational charts, and financial statements. We assist companies in presenting complex corporate structures in formats that clearly communicate qualifying relationships to USCIS adjudicators.
Demonstrating Executive and Managerial Experience
Successful EB-1C cases require detailed evidence of the beneficiary’s executive or managerial experience with the foreign entity and the corresponding role offered by the U.S. entity. This includes organizational charts, job descriptions, performance evaluations, and testimonials that clearly demonstrate qualifying functions.
We work with companies to develop comprehensive position descriptions that accurately reflect executive or managerial responsibilities while meeting USCIS regulatory requirements. Evidence must show actual authority and decision-making power rather than mere titles or organizational positions.
U.S. Entity Business Operations and Viability
The sponsoring U.S. entity must demonstrate legitimate business operations, financial viability, and capacity to support the executive or managerial position being offered. This includes business licenses, tax returns, employee records, and operational documentation showing established business activities.
We assist companies in presenting their U.S. operations effectively, highlighting growth potential, market position, and strategic importance of the executive or managerial transfer to continued business success and expansion.
Strategic Advantages of EB-1C Green Cards
The EB-1C category offers significant benefits for qualifying multinational companies and their key personnel, providing efficient pathways for executive transfers without lengthy labor certification processes.
- No Labor Certification Required: EB-1C applications bypass the PERM labor certification process, eliminating the need to demonstrate unavailability of qualified U.S. workers and significantly reducing processing time and complexity.
- Priority Processing: As a first preference employment category, EB-1C applications typically process faster than other employment-based green cards and are generally not subject to lengthy backlogs affecting lower preference categories.
- Corporate Flexibility: EB-1C status supports multinational business strategies by facilitating the transfer of key leadership personnel to support U.S. operations, expansion, and strategic initiatives.
- Family Benefits: The executive or manager’s spouse and unmarried children under 21 can obtain permanent residency simultaneously, providing immigration security for the entire family unit.
How We Navigate Your EB-1C Success
- We begin with a comprehensive corporate evaluation to assess the qualifying relationship between entities, review the executive or manager’s experience, and develop a strategic approach tailored to your multinational structure
- We coordinate with corporate stakeholders to gather required documentation, prepare job descriptions, and ensure compliance with all EB-1C requirements for both the company and beneficiary
- We prepare thorough petitions with comprehensive corporate documentation, detailed position evidence, and legal arguments that clearly demonstrate qualifying relationships and executive or managerial functions
- We provide ongoing support throughout the process, including RFE responses, case monitoring, and coordination with corporate counsel on any additional requirements
Frequently Asked Questions About EB-1C Green Cards
What is the EB-1C visa, and who is it for?
The EB-1C is an immigrant visa designed for multinational executives and managers transferring from overseas parent companies, subsidiaries, or affiliates to U.S. operations. It provides a pathway to permanent residency for qualified applicants, their spouses, and children under 21.
What are the key eligibility requirements for the EB-1C visa?
To qualify, you must: work for a qualifying foreign entity in an executive/managerial role for at least 1 year in the past 3 years; have a qualifying corporate relationship between foreign and U.S. entities; receive a permanent job offer for an executive/managerial position from the U.S. entity that has operated for at least 1 year.
What distinguishes an executive from a manager for EB-1C eligibility?
Executives oversee company operations on a large scale, make significant decisions with minimal supervision, and focus on strategic direction. Managers supervise employees, control hiring/firing, set salaries, and oversee day-to-day operations. Both roles require genuine authority and decision-making power.
Does the EB-1C visa require a labor certification (PERM)?
No, EB-1C visas do not require PERM labor certification, making the process faster than most employment-based categories. However, you need a valid permanent job offer from the U.S. multinational entity in a qualifying executive or managerial role.
Who files the EB-1C petition, and what is the process?
The sponsoring U.S. employer acts as the petitioner and files the EB-1C petition on your behalf. The company must demonstrate the qualifying relationship, your executive/managerial experience abroad, and the permanent nature of the U.S. position being offered.
What types of corporate relationships qualify for EB-1C?
Qualifying relationships include parent-subsidiary (ownership of at least 50%), affiliate (common ownership/control), and branch office arrangements. The key is demonstrating common ownership or control between the foreign and U.S. entities that constitutes a genuine multinational enterprise.
Can I apply for EB-1C while on L-1 status in the United States?
Yes, many EB-1C applicants are already in the U.S. on L-1A intracompany transfer status. The L-1A experience can strengthen your EB-1C case by demonstrating successful executive/managerial performance in the U.S. operation.
How long must the U.S. company be in operation before filing EB-1C?
The U.S. entity must have been actively conducting business for at least one full year before filing the EB-1C petition. This demonstrates established operations and legitimate business activities rather than speculative ventures.
What if I was promoted to executive/managerial role recently?
You must have held executive or managerial functions for the required one-year period abroad. Recent promotions may work if you can demonstrate the actual exercise of executive/managerial authority during the qualifying period, not just the title.
Can the same company sponsor multiple EB-1C petitions?
Yes, multinational companies can sponsor multiple executives and managers through EB-1C, provided each individual meets the qualification requirements and the company can demonstrate legitimate need for multiple leadership positions.
What happens if the corporate relationship changes during processing?
Corporate changes like mergers, acquisitions, or restructuring can affect EB-1C eligibility. It’s crucial to notify USCIS of material changes and demonstrate that qualifying relationships continue to exist under the new structure.
How long does the EB-1C process typically take?
EB-1C processing times vary but typically range from 8-15 months for the I-140 petition. Premium processing is available for 15-day adjudication. The process can be concurrent with adjustment of status if you’re in the U.S.
Do I need to stay with the sponsoring company after getting the green card?
While there’s an expectation of permanent employment when filed, you’re not permanently bound to the employer. However, leaving immediately after approval could raise questions about petition validity, so timing and circumstances matter for immigration purposes.
Testimonials
“Donald Gross Law Group successfully navigated the complex corporate relationships in our EB-1C petition. Their understanding of multinational business structures and executive roles was essential for demonstrating our qualifying arrangement.” — James Liu, Regional Director
“The team’s expertise in EB-1C cases for technology companies was exceptional. They helped our company transfer key leadership from our European operations to support our U.S. expansion successfully.” — Maria Santos, VP Operations
Schedule a Free Consultation
Whether you are in Washington, D.C., New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Mexico City, Lisbon, Bangkok, or anywhere worldwide, Donald Gross Law Group is ready to assess your EB-1C multinational executive and manager qualifications. Contact us today to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with an experienced EB-1C lawyer to discuss your corporate structure and explore your pathway to permanent residency through multinational executive transfer.