For EB-1C, the U.S. branch has been operating for 2 years and I have been here on an L-1A for 6 months. Should I apply now?

The EB-1C is the immigrant visa for executives and managers of multinational companies who will assume an equivalent position at a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate in the United States. The analysis combines the corporate structure of the entities involved with your professional background.

Having an established U.S. branch and working under an L-1A are favorable factors, but they alone do not determine eligibility. The EB-1C also requires that the U.S. company be actively operating and conducting business, and that you demonstrate having held a managerial or executive role abroad for a qualifying period at an entity related to the U.S. branch.

As for “applying now,” the answer depends on gathering and documenting all of these elements, including:

• The corporate relationship between the foreign entity and the U.S. entity.
• The continuity of the company’s operations in the United States.
• Clear evidence of your managerial or executive role.

Because requirements and timelines can change and every case is unique, confirm the current requirements with USCIS and assess the right timing with a specialist before filing your petition.

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.