Business owner in Brazil opening a U.S. branch. Can I already pursue EB-1C?

The EB-1C is the path for executives and managers of multinational companies who move on to fill an equivalent role in the United States. For someone who has a company abroad and is setting up a U.S. branch, it can be a viable route, but simply opening the branch is usually not enough on its own.

The category typically requires two links. On one side, you must have served in a managerial or executive role at the foreign company for a qualifying recent period. On the other, there must be a genuine corporate relationship between the foreign company and the U.S. entity (parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate), with both actively conducting business.

When the U.S. operation is new, it is generally important that the branch is already established and operating, not merely registered on paper, and that there is continuity between what you did abroad and the role you will take on here. While the structure is still taking shape, it may be too early for EB-1C, and other entry options may make sense in the meantime.

Because details of tenure, title, and corporate structure are decisive and subject to change, it is worth verifying the current requirements with USCIS and planning the timeline with a specialist before filing.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

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.