EB-1A
VS
EB-1C
Type
Green card
Green card
Description
Extraordinary Ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business, or Athletics
Multinational Executives and Managers
Profiles that typically qualify
Entrepreneurs, Industry experts, Researchers, STEM professionals, Athletes, Artists
Corporate executives, High-level managers, Business owners
Requirements
Demonstrate sustained extraordinary achievement in your field with at least 3 of 10 types of required evidence, such as receiving prestigious awards, being featured in media or professional publications, earning a high remuneration relative to your peers, or holding a critical or relevant role in a distinguished organization or project.
Continue working in your area of extraordinary ability in the U.S.
The U.S. job must be in an executive or managerial capacity.
You must have been employed by a foreign branch, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate of the U.S. sponsor.
You must have worked for the foreign company for at least one year within the three years preceding the visa application.
The sponsoring company must have been operating in the U.S. for at least one year.
Pros
Provides complete flexibility to work, live, and study in the U.S.
Does not require employer sponsorship, offering significant independence.
No labor certification is required, simplifying the application process.
Offers the fastest pathway to a green card among EB categories.
Direct path to citizenship after 5 years.
Provides complete flexibility to work, live, and study in the U.S.
No labor certification is required, simplifying the application process.
Offers the fastest pathway to a green card among EB categories.
The application process closely mirrors the L-1A visa process and uses similar documentation.
Direct path to citizenship after 5 years.
Cons
High standard to demonstrate extraordinary ability.
Requires sponsorship and a specific job offer from a U.S. company with a qualifying relationship to the foreign company.
Limited to multinational executives and managers, significantly restricting eligibility.
Sponsorship
Not required
Required
Validity period
Permanent
Permanent residency
Renewable
Every 10 years
Every 10 years
Without premium processing
10-24 months1
10-18 months1
With premium processing
15 business days2
45 business days2
Can spouse work
Yes
Yes
Disclaimers
1Applicants from India, China, or Mexico may experience longer wait times.
2Available only for the first stage of the process, while the second stage typically takes an additional 9-18 months.
1Applicants from India, China, or Mexico may experience longer wait times.
2Available only for the first stage of the process, while the second stage typically takes an additional 9-18 months.
Type
EB-1A
Green card
EB-1C
Green card
Description
EB-1A
Extraordinary Ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business, or Athletics
EB-1C
Multinational Executives and Managers
Profiles that typically qualify
EB-1A
Entrepreneurs, Industry experts, Researchers, STEM professionals, Athletes, Artists
EB-1C
Corporate executives, High-level managers, Business owners
Requirements
EB-1A
Demonstrate sustained extraordinary achievement in your field with at least 3 of 10 types of required evidence, such as receiving prestigious awards, being featured in media or professional publications, earning a high remuneration relative to your peers, or holding a critical or relevant role in a distinguished organization or project.
Continue working in your area of extraordinary ability in the U.S.
EB-1C
The U.S. job must be in an executive or managerial capacity.
You must have been employed by a foreign branch, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate of the U.S. sponsor.
You must have worked for the foreign company for at least one year within the three years preceding the visa application.
The sponsoring company must have been operating in the U.S. for at least one year.
Pros
EB-1A
Provides complete flexibility to work, live, and study in the U.S.
Does not require employer sponsorship, offering significant independence.
No labor certification is required, simplifying the application process.
Offers the fastest pathway to a green card among EB categories.
Direct path to citizenship after 5 years.
EB-1C
Provides complete flexibility to work, live, and study in the U.S.
No labor certification is required, simplifying the application process.
Offers the fastest pathway to a green card among EB categories.
The application process closely mirrors the L-1A visa process and uses similar documentation.
Direct path to citizenship after 5 years.
Cons
EB-1A
High standard to demonstrate extraordinary ability.
EB-1C
Requires sponsorship and a specific job offer from a U.S. company with a qualifying relationship to the foreign company.
Limited to multinational executives and managers, significantly restricting eligibility.
Sponsorship
EB-1A
Not required
EB-1C
Required
Validity period
EB-1A
Permanent
EB-1C
Permanent residency
Renewable
EB-1A
Every 10 years
EB-1C
Every 10 years
Without premium processing
EB-1A
10-24 months1
EB-1C
10-18 months1
With premium processing
EB-1A
15 business days2
EB-1C
45 business days2
Can spouse work
EB-1A
Yes
EB-1C
Yes
Disclaimers
EB-1A
1Applicants from India, China, or Mexico may experience longer wait times.
2Available only for the first stage of the process, while the second stage typically takes an additional 9-18 months.
EB-1C
1Applicants from India, China, or Mexico may experience longer wait times.
2Available only for the first stage of the process, while the second stage typically takes an additional 9-18 months.