I am on sabbatical leave, but I completed 1 year of managerial work abroad before that. Can I qualify for EB-1C?

Being on sabbatical leave does not, by itself, erase the managerial experience you already accumulated abroad. For the EB-1C, what matters is that this work in an executive or managerial capacity occurred within the qualifying period and represented an active, compensated employment relationship.

In other words, your current pause does not automatically invalidate your prior history. The time during which you performed managerial duties can still be considered, provided it falls within the window required by the category.

Beyond the qualifying period, EB-1C eligibility depends on other factors, such as:

• A qualifying corporate relationship between the foreign company and the U.S. entity.
• The genuinely managerial or executive nature of the role, with real authority.
• Consistency between your previous position and the intended role in the United States.

Because the analysis depends on the specifics of your case and the applicable time window, it is worth confirming current requirements with USCIS or a qualified specialist before filing.

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Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

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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.