I’m on L-1A and want the EB-1C. Do I need to go through PERM?

No. One of the greatest advantages of the EB-1C is precisely that it bypasses PERM, the labor certification required by several other employment-based green card paths. For those already on L-1A, this typically makes the transition more straightforward, since both categories are built on the same logic of transferring executives and managers within a corporate group.

Under the EB-1C, the focus is not on testing the U.S. labor market, but on demonstrating your leadership profile. You must show that you served as an executive or manager at a company abroad and are being transferred to continue in that capacity at a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate in the United States, with the corporate relationship between the entities clearly documented.

• The EB-1C does not go through labor certification (PERM).
• The key axis is the executive or managerial function, both abroad and in the U.S.
• The corporate relationship between the companies must be substantiated.

Eligibility always depends on the specifics of your background and the corporate structure involved. Before filing, it is worth reviewing the current requirements with the USCIS and assessing the L-1A to EB-1C transition with a 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.