EB-1C: Green Card Path for Multinational Managers and Executives

The EB-1C Green Card is a permanent residency pathway for multinational executives and managers who are sponsored by their U.S. employer. If you’re already spearheading operations at a company with branches in both the U.S. and abroad, this category was built with you in mind.

Unlike most other employment-based immigrant visa options, the EB-1C does not require PERM labor certification, and your employer can request premium processing to move your petition along faster. For many multinational employees on temporary work visas, it’s one of the clearest and fastest routes to a Green Card.

What is the EB-1C Green Card?

The EB-1C is an employment-based immigrant visa that targets multinational managers and executives. Applications are reviewed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and are part of the EB-1 program. The EB-1 visa category offers eligible applicants first preference in obtaining a Green Card.

What are the benefits of the EB-1C?

• No labor certification process: Employers don’t need to undergo PERM processing with the Department of Labor, which is required for EB-2 and EB-3 visas, but can take months to complete.
• Family benefits: As an EB-1C beneficiary, you can sponsor certain immediate family members, including your spouse and children under 21, to obtain lawful permanent residency alongside you.
• Shorter average wait times: Unlike the EB-2 and EB-3 categories, which can have multi-year backlogs for applicants from certain countries, EB-1C beneficiaries generally move forward with an adjustment of status or consular processing much faster.

EB-1C requirements

Manifest immigration attorney Ana Gabriela Urizar says proving eligibility for the EB-1C Green Card takes careful preparation and evidence gathering. She explains: “The strongest EB-1C petitions are built on specificity. Instead of relying on vague descriptions of your duties, detail exactly who you supervised, what decisions you made as a leader, and how your role impacts the company at large.”

A well-prepared EB-1C petition often includes:

• Proof of employment: Documentation of your managerial or executive role and your time spent in this position
• Evidence of company structure: Documents showing the relationship between your current employer and the U.S. company, such as corporate structures or ownership documents
• Job offer letters: A detailed job offer from the U.S. company outlining your role and responsibilities
• Documents that show international experience: Pay stubs, employment contracts, and reference letters that can help verify your role and tenure as a managerial employee
• Items that indicate ongoing employment: Favorable performance reviews or promotion letters often demonstrate a sustained pattern of high-level responsibilities

EB-1C approval rate

EB-1C approval rates remain strong. According to USCIS data, the EB-1C had an approval rate of 97.1% for the full Fiscal Year 2025. USCIS adjudicated 11,269 EB-1C petitions, approving 10,940 and denying just 329—up from the approximately 94% approval rate reported in FY 2023.

In Q4 2025 (July through September), the EB-1C approval rate dipped slightly to 96.5%, with 2,517 petitions adjudicated, 2,430 approved, and 87 denied. Even with this minor dip, the EB-1C remains one of the most reliably approved petition types.

Source: USCIS Immigration and Citizenship Data

Unlike the EB-1A, which had a full-year approval rate of just 66.9% in FY 2025, EB-1C applicants continue to see approval rates well above 95% if their application is thorough and meets all the requirements.

What is a qualifying relationship for EB-1C?

As part of the EB-1C criteria, USCIS requires petitioners to prove a qualifying relationship between the U.S. company and the foreign branch that has employed the multinational executive or manager.

Qualifying business structures include:

• Parent and subsidiary companies, where one entity owns and controls the other either directly or indirectly
• Affiliate organizations that share common ownership and control, such as two subsidiaries owned by the same parent company
• U.S. companies with qualifying branches abroad, provided the U.S. entity is a legally separate domestic organization

To show this relationship, Urizar recommends including supporting documents like company charts, financial records, and other papers that clearly show how the two companies are linked.

EB-1C Green Card processing times

As of June 2026, USCIS takes approximately 2.5 to 25.5 months to adjudicate 80% of I-140 petitions for EB-1C visas. However, this is only one part of the overall application timeline:

Processing times taken from USCIS Processing Times.

Several factors can affect how long an individual case may take. Case strength, backlogs within USCIS, and whether an immigration officer needs to issue a request for evidence (RFE) could speed up or delay the adjudication of your petition.

EB-1C premium processing

For an additional fee of $2,965, USCIS allows EB-1C petitioners to request premium processing through Form I-907. Paying for this service often shortens wait times significantly, as it confirms that an immigration officer will make a decision (or submit an RFE) within 45 business days.

Manifest immigration attorney Urizar notes that premium processing can be a good option for both EB-1C beneficiaries and their sponsoring employers.

• Beneficiaries: This service can be especially useful if your underlying status is expiring or your priority date is current and you want to file for a Green Card as soon as possible.
• Employers: Paying for premium processing can be worth the cost when a key hire needs to be onboarded quickly or when the role is time-sensitive to business operations.

Urizar notes that premium processing does not speed up the entire EB-1C application timeline, as it only applies to the I-140 portion. This service also does not guarantee or increase your odds for approval.

She explains: “Even with premium processing, I always recommend that applicants work with a qualified immigration lawyer before filing. You can still receive an RFE or a denial notice through this method, and either outcome can add weeks to your timeline.”

EB-1C costs and filing fees

Filing costs for an EB-1C Green Card are split between the sponsoring employer and the beneficiary, depending on which stage of the process you’re in.

Beyond government filing fees, there are also some additional costs worth factoring in:

• Form I-140 premium processing: $2,965
• Medical exam costs: Vary by providers, but often $200 to $600 or more
• Document translation services: Varies by document and applicant
• Legal representation: Varies by firm, but may be covered by employers during the I-140 stage

EB-1C Lawyer Costs: How Manifest Compares

EB-1C attorney fees often vary across immigration law firms, but generally range between $7,000 and $15,000, though some firms can charge as much as $20,000. At Manifest Law, our fees for EB-1C visa services start at $8,995. We charge a flat fee with clear pricing so that you know exactly what you’re paying for upfront.

Our attorneys have extensive experience guiding companies and beneficiaries through every step of the application process.

👉 Request a consultation today to navigate your EB-1C case with confidence.

EB-1C Green Card FAQs

What is the three-year rule for EB-1C?

The EB-1C three-year rule states that foreign nationals must have held a managerial or executive role outside the U.S. for at least one year. Specifically, this work must fall within the three years before their employer files the I-140 petition.

How long does the EB-1C visa last after approval?

The EB-1C visa itself is a pathway to permanent resident status and a Green Card, so once your application is approved, you can live and work in the U.S. permanently.

Can you self-sponsor EB-1C?

No, you cannot self-sponsor your EB-1C petition. This employment-based Green Card category requires a U.S. employer to file on your behalf.

Can I apply for EB-1C without L-1A?

Yes, you do not need an L-1A visa to apply for an EB-1C Green Card. While a successful L-1A nonimmigrant visa can help many skilled executives and managers transition to an EB-1C, it is not a requirement.

What is the difference between EB-1C and EB-1?

The EB-1C is a specific subcategory of the broader EB-1 Green Card category, which is the highest preference category for employer-sponsored Green Cards. The two other first-preference categories include the EB-1A for individuals with extraordinary ability and the EB-1B for outstanding professors and researchers.