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How many employees does the U.S. company need to have for EB-1C?

The EB-1C does not set a minimum number of employees: USCIS looks at the legitimacy and structure of the company to determine whether it can support an executive or managerial role. Learn what truly matters.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on July 11, 2026
1 min read
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There is no minimum number of employees required by law for the EB-1C. Rather than counting headcount, the analysis focuses on whether the U.S. company genuinely operates and has an organizational structure capable of supporting a truly executive or managerial role.

The EB-1C is the green card pathway for executives and managers transferred by a multinational company to a U.S. branch, subsidiary, or affiliate. The emphasis therefore falls on the nature of the position, the qualifying relationship between the foreign and U.S. entities, and the continuity of operations on both sides.

A lean company can qualify, as long as the documentation shows concrete business activity and a hierarchy that justifies the executive or managerial function. What matters is the substance of the business, not a specific headcount.

  • No legally fixed minimum number of employees.
  • Weight on operational legitimacy and organizational structure.
  • A qualifying relationship between the foreign and U.S. company is required.

Since each case is evaluated individually, it is worth confirming the current requirements with USCIS and reviewing the petition package with a specialist.

Learn more about EB-1

Category
EB-1 Green Card (1st priority)
Requirement
Extraordinary ability
Self-petition
Allowed (no sponsor needed)
Processing
6-18 months
All about EB-1

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.

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How many employees does the U.S. company need to have for EB-1C?

The EB-1C does not set a minimum number of employees: USCIS looks at the legitimacy and structure of the company to determine whether it can support an executive or managerial role. Learn what truly matters.

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