The U.S. subsidiary lists me as CEO, but I’m the only employee. EB-1C?

The EB-1C is the green card pathway for executives and managers transferred from a multinational company to a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate in the United States. The analysis does not focus on the job title; it focuses on substance: USCIS wants to see that you actually perform an executive or managerial function within an organization with genuine activity.

Being registered as CEO of a subsidiary where you are the sole employee is typically a weak point. Management generally implies directing people, a function, or a significant component of the company; when there is no team or structure, the risk is that the case may be read as one where the person carries out the operational tasks of the business rather than acting as a manager. This does not automatically disqualify the petition, but it does require demonstrating real weight and organization behind the title.

Some factors that typically carry weight in the evaluation:

• The corporate relationship between the overseas company and the U.S. entity (parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate).
• The existence of genuine and ongoing operations on both sides, not merely a recently incorporated company on paper.
• The managerial or executive nature of the role, evidenced by organizational structure, hires, contractors, or an organizational function under your direction.

Since each case is evaluated individually, it is worth gathering robust documentation of the corporate structure and operations, and checking the updated requirements on the USCIS website or with a specialist before filing.

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.