If my foreign company ceased operations, can I still pursue EB-1C?

It depends on when the foreign company ceased operations. The EB-1C transfers executives and managers from a multinational to a subsidiary, affiliate, or branch in the United States, and one of the central requirements is that the corporate structure be effectively operating (the concept of “doing business”).

What typically weighs in the analysis is not just the current status of the company, but whether your managerial or executive experience was exercised while the foreign entity was active and in regular operation. If the closure came after that qualifying period, there may still be a path forward; if it came before or during, documentation becomes considerably more difficult.

• Document that the foreign company was operating during your time in a managerial role.
• Establish the corporate link between the foreign entity and the U.S. company.
• Provide a consistent explanation of the context and timing of the closure.

USCIS evaluates each case individually and requires detailed documentation of the relationship between the companies and the continuity of business operations. Since viability depends heavily on the specifics of your history, it is worth gathering your records and reviewing your strategy 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.