I spent 3 months as a manager and 9 as an analyst abroad, about a year in total. Does that qualify for the EB-1C?

Probably not in the way the count is framed. The EB-1C is the category designed for executives and managers, and what it requires is experience performed in a managerial or executive capacity abroad, within the qualifying period. The weight is on the nature of the role, not simply the combined time.

In the scenario you describe, combining the management period with the analyst period to reach a total does not work well: time spent in a technical or support role, such as analyst, does not typically count as leadership experience. What matters is how long you actually managed people, departments, or operations.

In practice, the analysis tends to look at points such as:

• The actual nature of the duties (management or direction, not just the title).
• The continuity of qualifying experience in the leadership role.
• The structure of the company and its relationship to the U.S. operation.

Because exact timeframes and criteria can change and each case is evaluated individually, no specific numbers should be assumed here: confirm the current requirements for the EB-1C with USCIS or a qualified specialist before filing.

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Victoria Harper

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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.