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I manage 50 contractors, not direct employees. Can the EB-1C be denied?

In the EB-1C, supervising only contractors can raise questions about your managerial function, but it is not an automatic denial. See how solid documentation can strengthen your case.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on July 11, 2026
1 min read
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Managing contractors rather than direct employees can be a point of concern in an EB-1C case, but it does not mean automatic denial. This category is designed for executives and managers transferred within the same multinational group, and the focus is on proving that you actually performed a managerial or executive function.

The concern arises because the EB-1C typically expects a clear hierarchical relationship with authority over the company’s structure. When the team is made up of contractors who are not formally part of the organization, that chain of command can be less evident, and that is where documentation makes a difference.

To strengthen the case, it helps to clearly demonstrate:

  • The organizational structure and where your role fits within it.
  • The managerial authority you exercised, including decisions, direction, and supervision.
  • The relationship between the company and the contracted workers you managed.

Since each case is assessed as a whole, the nature of the employment relationship is one factor, not a verdict on its own. It is worth organizing your evidence carefully and reviewing your profile with a specialist before filing.

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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I manage 50 contractors, not direct employees. Can the EB-1C be denied?

In the EB-1C, supervising only contractors can raise questions about your managerial function, but it is not an automatic denial. See how solid documentation can strengthen your case.

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