My position abroad was Project Manager and I supervised 10 people. Is ‘Manager’ the correct designation for EB-1C?

The EB-1C is aimed at managers and executives who held high-responsibility roles in multinational companies. This visa is intended for professionals who, abroad, performed leadership roles, managing essential sections of the company, with the authority to make significant decisions and organize the work of other employees.

In your case, the position of Project Manager with supervision of 10 people may or may not automatically qualify as a ‘manager’ under the EB-1C category. What the United States immigration legislation and guidelines seek is the demonstration that you exercised a managerial or executive role, that is, that you had authority to manage the company or a substantial department or division thereof. This involves more than just supervising a specific number of employees. It is essential to be able to prove that your responsibilities included making strategic decisions, planning and conducting significant policies, as well as the ability to direct and evaluate other leaders or teams.

Each case is unique, and therefore, it is essential to analyze the details of the functions performed. For example, if your role as a Project Manager included setting goals, budget control, hiring or firing, and managing a strategic department, there are probably strong arguments to classify you as a ‘manager’ under EB-1C criteria – provided that the corporate framework and the company’s hierarchical structure also support this classification.

Always remember to strictly follow United States immigration laws and to seek information from reliable sources. Avoid falling for offers that promise easy results and miraculous solutions, as the evaluation of qualification for a visa depends on a detailed and well-founded analysis of the documentation and professional experience. Seeking guidance from recognized experts or consultancies, in addition to consulting current legislation, can be an important step to prepare a consistent and adequate application.

Every detail counts when building your case, and a careful assessment of your professional history is essential. Stay alert to the need to prove the required managerial characteristics and avoid being swayed by promises that are not aligned with legal criteria established.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.