I’m a project manager, not a people manager. Does EB-1C apply?

Probably not, but it depends on how your role is defined. EB-1C is the category for executives and managers at multinational companies who operate at a high management level, with decision-making authority and responsibility over teams, areas, or departments. The visa is built around the managerial or executive function.

Managing projects, by itself, does not always meet that standard. The question usually comes down to the difference between coordinating a project and actually managing:

• coordinating deliverables and timelines without authority over people tends to be seen as a technical or coordination role;
• managing with the autonomy to make decisions, directing a function of the organization, and being accountable for strategic results brings the profile closer to what EB-1C requires.

It is worth noting that executive management is not limited to supervising subordinates: directing an essential function or component of the company also counts. That is why the classification depends on a careful reading of your actual responsibilities and the company’s structure, not your job title. The safest step is to review your background with a specialist, who can also identify other pathways, and to check the current criteria at the official source (USCIS).

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.