Can I hold a ‘leading role’ at a 10-person company? Does that count for the EB-1?

Yes, it can. In the EB-1, and especially in the category aimed at managers and executives, what matters is the nature and scope of your role, not the number of employees. A small team does not rule out a leading role, as long as your contribution is genuinely one of leadership.

At a 10-person company, you can demonstrate this role when you make significant managerial decisions, oversee areas or people, and hold authority over operations or strategy. What must be clear is that your function goes beyond day-to-day technical or operational work.

• Describe your strategic responsibilities and decision-making authority.
• Show your position in the org chart and what or whom you oversee.
• Document the impact of your decisions on the direction of the company.

The assessment looks at the organizational structure and your actual level of responsibility, on a case-by-case basis. It is therefore worthwhile to review the latest USCIS guidance and build your documentation with the support of a specialist.

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.