Does EB-1C require the existence of a subsidiary or branch in the United States?

Yes. The EB-1C depends on the existence of a qualifying corporate relationship between the company abroad and an entity in the United States. This presence is not a mere formality: it is the foundation that justifies the transfer of an executive or manager to the country.

In practice, the U.S. company must be connected to the foreign one through a recognized control or affiliation tie, which can take different forms:

• Parent and subsidiary: one controls the other.
• Branch: the same company also operating in the U.S.
• Affiliate: companies under common control.

Beyond the corporate link, the candidate must have served in an executive or managerial capacity at the foreign company for a qualifying period before the transfer, and must assume an equivalent role in the U.S. Since each structure is analyzed individually, it is worth confirming the updated requirements at the official source (USCIS) and thoroughly documenting the corporate relationship 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.