Understanding the EB-1 Visa: Key Differences Between EB-1A, EB-1B, and EB-1C

If you’re already a high achiever in your field and looking for the quickest on-ramp to a U.S. green card, the EB-1 visa is likely at the top of your list. Unlike most employment-based options, EB-1 is designed for standout performers—think published scientists, internationally acclaimed artists, prize-winning entrepreneurs, world-class athletes, renowned scholars, and senior executives trusted to run multinational operations.

Within the EB-1 umbrella, there are three distinct paths. 

The EB-1A visa rewards individuals whose accomplishments speak for themselves and who are ready to self-petition without tying their future to a single employer. Meanwhile, the EB-1B visa caters to professors and researchers whose work has already earned global respect and who have a permanent role waiting at a U.S. institution. And the EB-1C visa serves the corporate world, giving top-tier managers and executives a streamlined route when their company transfers them to lead a U.S. branch or department.

In this article, we’ll walk through the key differences between the EB-1A, EB-1B, and EB-1C visas—including who can sponsor your petition, whether a job offer is required, what documents you’ll need, and what it costs—so you can clearly understand which category applies to your background and what the process looks like from start to green card.

Who is the EB-1 Visa For?

The EB-1 visa is for people seeking permanent residency in the United States based on extraordinary talent, leadership, or achievement in their field. It’s one of the few employment-based categories that offers a direct route to permanent residency and doesn’t require a labor certification, which can take more than two years to get.

However, the EB-1 visa isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are three different tracks, each designed for a specific type of top-tier talent based on EB-1 criteria for extraordinary ability, outstanding academic achievement, or multinational executive experience. Here’s how they break down:

EB-1A: For People With Extraordinary Ability

The EB-1A category is reserved for individuals who have reached the top of their field, whether in science, art, business, education, or athletics, and offers the flexibility to apply without a job offer or employer sponsorship.

To qualify, you must either demonstrate a one-time major achievement—such as a Nobel Prize or Olympic medal—or meet at least three of USCIS’s listed criteria. This could mean articles written about your work, groundbreaking contributions to your area of expertise, or being asked to evaluate the work of peers.

EB-1B: For Outstanding Professors and Researchers

This category is for academics with international recognition and a strong record of achievement. To qualify, you’ll need at least three years of teaching or research experience and a permanent job offer from a U.S. university or research institution. Your application should include things like prestigious awards, scholarly publications, or membership in elite academic organizations.

EB-1C: For Multinational Managers and Executives

The EB-1C visa is for executives and managers at multinational companies who are being transferred to a U.S. office. To qualify, you must have worked in a managerial or executive role for a related company abroad for at least one of the past three years. The role you’re coming into in the U.S. must be similar in scope, and a job offer from your employer is required. 

Global companies often use this category to move key leadership to their U.S. operations.

Understanding the Differences Between the EB-1 Visa Categories

All EB-1 visas can lead to a green card, but they differ in key ways. 

Sponsorship and Petitioning Requirements

The EB-1A offers the most independence—you can petition for yourself without needing a job offer or employer sponsorship. That flexibility is a big reason why it’s popular among entrepreneurs, freelancers, and high-achieving individuals who aren’t tied to a specific U.S. employer.

The EB-1A visa allows for self-petitioning. For the EB-1B and EB-1C, a U.S. employer is required to be involved in the process. For the EB-1B, that means a university or research institution must sponsor you and file the petition, typically for a permanent teaching or research position. The EB-1C works a bit differently—it’s for multinational companies transferring you into a leadership role in their U.S. office. In both cases, your employer takes the lead on filing the paperwork with immigration.

Employment Rules

One of the biggest advantages of the EB-1A is that it doesn’t require a job offer. You don’t need to be tied to a specific employer to qualify; you just need to show that you plan to keep working in your field once you’re in the U.S. That flexibility makes the EB-1A a strong option for individuals who work independently, like artists, consultants, or business owners.

The EB-1B and EB-1C both require a job offer from a U.S. employer. For the EB-1B, that typically means a permanent teaching or research position at a university or research institution. With the EB-1C, the job offer must come from a U.S. office of the company you’ve been working for abroad, and the role must continue your executive or managerial duties.

Required Documents and Paperwork 

Each EB-1 visa category has its own documentation requirements, depending on your background and the role you’re coming to the U.S. to fill. The chart below breaks down the key eligibility standards and types of evidence typically needed for EB-1A, EB-1B, and EB-1C applicants.

Processing Times 

Processing times for each EB-1 visa vary and depend on whether or not you choose premium processing.

Green Card Eligibility 

Each EB-1 category offers a direct path to a U.S. green card, but the requirements around sponsorship and ongoing employment differ.

• EB-1A: Applicants can self-petition and are eligible to apply for a green card immediately after petition approval, and with a current priority date. There’s no requirement to stay with a specific employer, as long as the applicant continues working in their field of expertise.
• EB-1B: Green card eligibility depends on having a permanent job offer from a U.S. university or research institution. The applicant must maintain that employment through the green card process. If the job offer is withdrawn or the position changes, it could affect the outcome.
• EB-1C: Applicants must have a valid job offer from their sponsoring employer and continue working in a qualifying executive or managerial role. Green card eligibility is tied to that role, and any change in duties or employer could impact the case.

Visa Costs

For EB-1A, EB-1B, and EB-1C, the USCIS filing fees are the same across all three visa types. But while the filing cost for EB-1 visas may be identical, legal costs can vary depending on the type of EB-1 visa, how complex your case is, and whether an employer is involved.

If you’re applying for your green card from inside the U.S., you’ll need to file a few extra forms and pay some additional government fees. These usually come after your EB-1 petition (Form I-140) is approved, but in some cases, you can file everything together if your priority date is current. A current priority date means your place in line is available on the Visa Bulletin, and you’re eligible to apply for a green card.

These fees are per person. So your spouse and any unmarried children under 21 who also adjust status will file their own forms and pay the same amounts separately. 

Family Green Card Options

They can apply for green cards as your dependents once your EB-1 petition is approved and a visa is available for your category.

If you’re already in the U.S.

Your family can apply for green cards through a process called adjustment of status. Each person must file their own Form I-485. These are separate applications, but they can be submitted at the same time as yours. Your spouse can also apply for a work permit while waiting for their green card.

If your family is outside the U.S.

They’ll go through consular processing, which means they’ll apply for an immigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Once approved, they’ll be able to enter the U.S. as permanent residents and receive green cards by mail.

Whether you apply under EB-1A, EB-1B, or EB-1C, your spouse and children can get green cards too, as long as they follow the proper application steps.

Which EB-1 Visa Is Right for You?

Choosing the right EB-1 category comes down to your career background, current role, and whether you have a U.S. employer involved in the process.

• EB-1A is best suited for individuals who work independently and have received national or international recognition in their field. If you don’t have a job offer, or don’t want to be tied to one, this self-petitioning option offers the most flexibility.
• EB-1B is the right fit for professors and researchers with a strong academic track record who are coming to the U.S. for a permanent teaching or research position. A job offer from a qualified U.S. institution is required.
• EB-1C is ideal for executives and managers at multinational companies who are transferring to a leadership role in the U.S. If you’ve spent at least a year in a high-level role abroad and your company is sending you to a related U.S. office, this is the most direct route.

NIW: A Flexible Green Card Alternative to the EB-1

If you’re not eligible for an EB-1, the NIW under the EB-2 category is often a solid backup option, especially for professionals doing work that benefits the U.S. as a whole. The NIW lets you skip the labor certification process and apply for a green card without a job offer, if you can show that your work benefits the United States as a whole.

To qualify, you must demonstrate that:

• Your work has substantial merit and national importance
• You’re well-positioned to carry out your work in the U.S.
• It would benefit the country to waive the usual job offer and labor certification requirements.

The NIW is popular among researchers, public health professionals, entrepreneurs, and others whose work has a wide-reaching impact, even if they don’t qualify as “extraordinary” under EB-1 standards. While it typically takes longer than an EB-1A, it offers more flexibility and is often more realistic for highly skilled individuals without a major award or employer sponsor.

Need Help Choosing the Right EB-1 Strategy?

Figuring out whether you qualify for EB-1A, EB-1B, or EB-1C—and understanding how to build the strongest possible case—can be complex. Between evidence requirements, petition strategy, timing, and deciding between adjustment of status or consular processing, there’s a lot to get right to successfully secure your immigration status.

Working with an experienced immigration attorney can make all the difference. A good legal team will not only help you determine which EB-1 category fits your background but also guide you through the petition process, anticipate challenges, and help you stay on track toward a green card.

At Manifest Law, we offer flat-fee pricing, personalized guidance, and a clear roadmap from day one—so you don’t waste time guessing or second-guessing. Whether you’re ready to move forward or still weighing your options, we’re here to help you make smart, confident decisions about your future in the U.S.

👉 Ready to get started? Book a consultation with Manifest Law today. We’ll walk you through the requirements, the process, and what success looks like for your case.

Frequently asked questions

Can I switch employers after getting my EB-1 green card?

It depends on your EB-1 category and timing. If you were approved under EB-1A, you’re not tied to any specific employer, so you can change jobs freely—as long as you continue working in your field of extraordinary ability.

For EB-1B and EB-1C, it’s more complicated. These categories require a permanent job offer from a sponsoring employer, and USCIS expects you to continue working in that role for a reasonable period after receiving your green card. Leaving too soon, especially within the first 6 to 12 months, can raise red flags and, in some cases, lead to questions about whether you had the intent to fulfill the job offer at the time of approval.

If you’re considering a job change shortly after green card approval under EB-1B or EB-1C, it’s a good idea to speak with an immigration attorney first to assess the risks.

How long do I need to stay in the U.S. after getting my EB-1 green card?

Green cards are meant for permanent residents. While there’s no hard rule on how long you must stay, leaving the U.S. for extended periods—especially in the first year—can raise concerns about abandoning your residency. If you plan to travel frequently or live abroad for stretches of time, consider applying for a reentry permit (Form I-131) to protect your status.

Can I apply for EB-1 from outside the United States?

Yes. You can file the I-140 petition from abroad and complete the green card process through consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate. 

Can letters of recommendation help my EB-1 case?

Yes—strongly. While not formally required by USCIS, letters from well-known experts in your field can strengthen your case significantly, especially in EB-1A and EB-1B applications. The most helpful letters come from independent recommenders (not just colleagues or former supervisors) who can speak to your impact, reputation, and contributions.

Can I apply under multiple green card categories at the same time?

Yes, if you qualify for more than one green card category, USCIS allows you to file multiple I-140 petitions in parallel. For example, many applicants file both an EB-1A (extraordinary ability) and an EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) at the same time to increase their chances of success.

This strategy is especially useful if you’re from a country with a visa backlog in one category or if you’re uncertain which petition will be approved faster. Filing more than one I-140 won’t negatively affect either case, and it gives you flexibility to move forward with whichever is approved first.

However, this flexibility does not apply as easily to EB-1B or EB-1C, since those require employer sponsorship. If your petition depends on a specific job offer, it’s unlikely a second employer would file a separate EB-1B or EB-1C at the same time—though it’s technically possible.