I am an IT manager with no direct reports, but I set strategy. Does that count as managerial for EB-1?

Yes, a role can be considered managerial under EB-1 even without direct supervision of people. U.S. immigration interprets managerial capacity more broadly than simply heading a team: it includes controlling or directing a department, a process, or an essential function of the organization.

In your situation, as an IT manager who sets strategy without supervising employees, the argument rests on your level of autonomy and decision-making authority: if you direct policies that affect the organization and are accountable for a critical function, that can establish a managerial role. What matters is the totality of your responsibilities.

• Document the strategic decisions that fall under your responsibility.
• Demonstrate your autonomy and the significance of the function you lead.
• Connect your role to the organization’s structure and outcomes.

Because the analysis is individual and detail-sensitive, it is worth reviewing the current criteria with USCIS and assessing how your position qualifies with an immigration 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.