I worked abroad for a while and then in the U.S. Does the EB-1C allow combining those periods?

Under EB-1C, what counts as qualifying experience is the time you served in a managerial or executive role outside the United States, at a company affiliated with the one that will sponsor you. It is not really a matter of combining periods: the core of this category is precisely the leadership exercised abroad before the transfer.

Because of this, the time you have already spent working in the U.S., even if relevant to other stages of the process, does not factor into that specific international experience requirement. What supports an EB-1C petition is clear, well-documented managerial or executive work abroad, not a mix of both career segments.

• The qualifying period is the leadership exercised outside the U.S.
• Time worked inside the U.S. does not fulfill this international requirement.
• The managerial or executive nature of the role must be thoroughly documented.

Because the required duration and window vary depending on current rules and each profile has its own particularities, it is worth checking the updated requirements with USCIS and reviewing your specific situation with an immigration specialist before filing.

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.