I’m a CEO, but the company doesn’t operate outside the country. EB-1C?

The EB-1C is the green card path for multinational executives and managers, and the name itself gives the key signal: it presupposes a corporate group operating in more than one country. The U.S. entity must have a qualifying relationship (parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate) with a foreign entity, and the group as a whole must maintain active international business operations.

For that reason, holding the CEO title weighs in your favor, but it is not enough on its own. If the company operates exclusively within a single country with no operations abroad, it lacks the multinational character the category requires. In that scenario, qualifying under EB-1C is unlikely, regardless of how senior your position is.

• A foreign entity and a U.S. entity with a qualifying corporate relationship are both required.
• The group must conduct business in more than one country.
• The executive or managerial role is assessed by actual function, not just by job title.

If international presence is missing, it is worth mapping your full profile to see whether another category may be a better fit. Because the requirements are strict, confirm the current criteria at the official source (USCIS) or with an immigration specialist.

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.