Is it common to see EB-1 for executives at large corporations without an L-1A?

Yes, it is perfectly common. For executives and managers at multinational corporations, the EB-1 path is the EB-1C, and it does not require the person to have previously held an L-1A. Both visas serve contexts of intra-company transfers within multinational structures, but they are independent paths: it is possible to go directly to EB-1C.

The L-1A is a temporary work visa, while the EB-1C is a path to permanent residence. Having held an L-1A can ease the transition for those already in the United States, but it is not a prerequisite. What truly supports an EB-1C case is something else:

• experience in an executive or managerial role at the company abroad, for a qualifying period;
• an offer for an equally executive or managerial position in the United States;
• a real corporate relationship between the foreign company and the U.S. entity (parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate).

Each case is evaluated individually, examining the corporate structure and the evidence of the executive’s strategic role. Because the qualifying period and the definition of a managerial position are assessed on a case-by-case basis, it is worth confirming the current requirements with the official source (USCIS) and building the documentation 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.