What is EB-1 visa in the USA?

Both the EB1C and H1B visas allow you to work in the United States, however the type of workers each program is intended to cover is not similar. We list who is eligible to obtain each visa and why they are not the same down below.

EB1C visa eligibility

Employment requirement:

You must have worked for 1+ years in an executive/managerial role at a foreign company linked to the U.S. employer (parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate).

Job role:

• Your position must involve high-level decision-making (e.g., overseeing teams, budgets, or operations).
• Not eligible: Supervisory roles without strategic authority.

U.S. employer criteria:

The U.S. company must be operational (or show concrete plans to open).

Green Card advantage:

EB1C leads directly to permanent residency (no PERM labor certification required).

H1B visa eligibility

Job offer:

You are required to have an employer in the U.S. to sponsor you in a specific position (typically a position that requires a bachelor degree or higher).

Education/Experience:

Have a relevant degree or equivalent work experience (three years work experience = one year college).

Annual Lottery:

H1B limited by the cap (85,000 visas/year), except cap-exempt employers (e.g., universities, nonprofits).

Temporary Work Visa:

This visa lasts three years (can be extended to six years), and there is an opportunity to get a green card in the future.

Key differences overview

Which visa is right for you?

• Select EB1C when transferring as an executive or manager to your company's U.S. office for permanent residency.
• Opt for H1B if you're a degree-holding professional with a specialty occupation offer from a U.S. employer.

Get your free eligibility check from UOM Global's advisors at uomglobal.com.

The EB1C visa allows foreign executives and managers to obtain permanent residency in the United States faster than other permanent visa types, but it does have requirements to fulfill. Below is what you should know.

Key Challenges of the EB1C Visa

High eligibility standards

• You should have been employed in a managerial or executive position at a foreign firm that has a relation with the U.S. employer (parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate) within a period of 1+ years.
• The American firm should be in business (or have definite plans to start up).
• You cannot simply manage people but you should be involved in strategic decision-making.

Complex documentation

• Proof of qualifying employment (job offers, organizational charts, financial records).
• Evidence of your leadership impact (team size, budgets, growth metrics).
• Detailed business plans if the U.S. entity is new.

Competitive approval process

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) scrutinizes EB1C petitions heavily.
• Denial rates are higher for smaller companies or unclear job roles.

Why Pursue the EB1C Despite the Challenges?

• Fast processing time: The EB-1 offers the quickest path to a U.S. green card, with most applications approved in months rather than the years required for other visa categories.
• Straightforward requirements: Qualification is based entirely on your professional achievements - no financial investment or visa lottery required. Your expertise alone can secure your approval.
• Complete family benefits: Your spouse receives automatic work authorization and your children can attend U.S. schools immediately. Your entire family obtains green cards together.
• Recognition of excellence: This visa serves as official U.S. recognition of your outstanding professional accomplishments and contributions to your field.
• Immediate permanent status: You become a permanent resident immediately upon approval, with full rights to live and work anywhere in the United States permanently.

To make your EB1C application stronger, demonstrate the following three points:

• Executive power: demonstrate that you can manage budgets, employ individuals or manage large projects.
• Business feasibility: submit financial reports, customer agreements or growth strategies.
• Collaborate with Immigration specialists: legal advice will ensure that your petition is of the required high standards by USCIS.

The EB1C visa has strict requirements but provides qualified executives with a reliable route to permanent U.S. residence. With proper preparation and documentation, successful approval is achievable.

Let our experts guide your immigration process - contact us now at uomglobal.com.

The EB-1 visa is not just any other work permit. It allows the United States to attract the best professionals and provide them a foundation for long-term professional growth on a global scale. Unlike other immigration options, the EB-1 offers:

• Priority processing: Faster approval than most green card categories
• No labor certification: Skips the lengthy PERM process
• Global recognition: Reserved for top-tier talent

Who Qualifies for the EB-1 Visa?

The EB-1 has three subcategories, each tailored for exceptional professionals:

EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability)

• For individuals with national or international acclaim in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
• No job offer required – you can self-petition
• Examples: Nobel laureates, Olympic athletes, award-winning researchers

EB-1B (Outstanding Professors & Researchers)

• For academics with significant contributions to their field
• Requires a job offer from a U.S. university or research institution
• Examples: Published researchers, tenured professors

EB-1C (Multinational Executives & Managers)

• For senior leaders transferring to a U.S. branch of their company
• Must have worked abroad for 1+ year in the past 3 years
• Examples: CEOs, directors, high-level managers

Why Choose the EB-1 Visa?

• Fast processing: The EB-1 is the quickest means to acquire a green card in the U.S. The majority of the applications are granted within months rather than years.
• Simple requirements: You do not have to spend money or participate in a lottery. When you are very good in your profession, you may qualify on merit of your expertise and accomplishments.
• Family advantages: Your husband/wife is allowed to work legally and your children can attend school in U.S. The entire family is issued with green cards.
• Professional recognition: This visa demonstrates that you are among the best in your field. It is evidence that America appreciates your special talents and experience.
• Long-term security: EB-1 Visa grants direct access to permanent residency, not a temporary one. You are able to work anywhere and live in the U.S. permanently.

The EB-1 visa serves as both an immigration solution and a prestigious endorsement of your elite status, offering unparalleled opportunities to build a lasting professional footprint in the United States.

Maximize your U.S. immigration potential with our comprehensive visa advisory services. Schedule your confidential consultation at uomglobal.com.

EB-1C visa is an employment-based green card, and it is an exclusive category of green cards available to the international managers and top-level corporate executives who are relocating to the U.S. to spearhead and expand business operations. It is included in the EB-1 (First Preference) category, thus it can be approved within a short period, there is no investment required and it provides direct permanent residence.

Key Features of the EB-1C Visa:

Candidate Profile:

• Corporate executives: Set strategic direction for multinational companies.
• International Managers: Are transferring to U.S. operations to oversee and grow business ventures.

Advantages:

• No capital requirement: Unlike the EB-5 visa, the EB-1C does not require any financial investment.
• No Labor Certification (PERM): Skips the lengthy PERM process, speeding up approval.
• No extraordinary proof needed: Unlike EB-1A or NIW, it focuses on managerial experience, not individual exceptional ability.

Eligibility Requirements

• Proven leadership abroad: Minimum 1 year in an executive/managerial role within the past 3 years at a qualifying overseas company
• Strategic decision - Making authority: Must demonstrate control over:
  • Company policies
  • Business growth initiatives
  • Major departmental operations
• Established U.S. operations: Sponsoring company must have:
  • Active U.S. presence for at least 1 year
  • Qualifying corporate relationship (parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate)
• Executive-level U.S. position: Must be offered a permanent, full-time role with:
  • Policy-making authority OR
  • Oversight of essential company functions

Why Top Executives Choose EB-1C:

• Accelerated Business Expansion: Establish operations in the world's leading economy
• Unmatched Mobility: Freedom to manage global enterprises seamlessly
• Family Security: Spouse and children receive green cards simultaneously
• Citizenship Pathway: Eligible for naturalization after 5 years

EB-1C visa is different in comparison to other immigration opportunities. It is an established business practice among very successful executives and managers. It allows multinational companies to transfer important employees to the United States in a short time and with high status, which contributes to their globalization and long-term prosperity by focusing on the talent of the leadership.

Ready to explore the EB-1C visa path? Visit uomglobal.com to schedule your consultation today.

While both transfer executives, EB-1C provides immediate permanent residency (green card), whereas L-1A is temporary. However, some use L-1A first to establish U.S. operations before transitioning to EB-1C for long-term stability.

EB-1C requires executive experience but no investment, while EB-5 demands 800k−1.05M investment with job creation. EB-1C is faster (1-2 years vs. 5+ years for EB-5) and doesn’t require capital risk.