As a CEO of a U.S. subsidiary for 6 months, can I apply for EB-1C?

The EB-1C is the immigration category for executives and managers who are transferred from an overseas company to a parent, subsidiary, or affiliate in the United States. The visa recognizes individuals who have already held a senior management role abroad and are taking on an equivalent position within the U.S. operation.

A central requirement is the qualifying period of managerial or executive work abroad prior to the transfer: EB-1C presupposes a qualifying period of employment in that capacity at a related company, fulfilled outside the United States. A relatively short time in the role, such as a few months, typically does not meet that threshold.

In the scenario of someone who has been CEO of the U.S. subsidiary for around six months, the prior overseas management requirement has most likely not yet been satisfied, since what counts is consolidated management experience before coming to the United States, not the time already spent inside the country.

Because each history is assessed individually, it is worth carefully mapping where and for how long you held a management role and confirming the current requirements with USCIS or an immigration specialist before filing.

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Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

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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.