EB-1C
VS
EB-3
Type
Green card
Green card
Description
Multinational Executives and Managers
Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers
Profiles that typically qualify
Corporate executives, High-level managers, Business owners
Almost any worker
Requirements
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.
Must have a job offer and undergo labor certification (PERM), showing no available qualified U.S. workers.
Skilled Workers: Job offer requires at least 2 years of training or experience.
Professionals: Job offer requires a U.S. bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent.
Other Workers: Job offer requiring less than 2 years of training or experience.
Pros
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.
Provides complete flexibility to work, live, and study in the U.S.
Straightforward process with clear requirements.
Highly flexible, applicable to almost any job that aligns with your experience or qualifications based on its minimum requirements.
Cons
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.
The labor certification process (PERM) is lengthy and time-consuming.
Applicants are tied to the employer sponsoring the petition for most of the application process.
Slower processing times compared to other categories, particularly for applicants from certain countries.
Sponsorship
Required
Required
Validity period
Permanent residency
Permanent residency
Renewable
Every 10 years
Every 10 years
Without premium processing
10-18 months1
Three stages, totaling about 36-48 months1
With premium processing
45 business days2
15 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 for only one stage of the process, with minimal impact on the overall processing time.
Type
EB-1C
Green card
EB-3
Green card
Description
EB-1C
Multinational Executives and Managers
EB-3
Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers
Profiles that typically qualify
EB-1C
Corporate executives, High-level managers, Business owners
EB-3
Almost any worker
Requirements
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.
EB-3
Must have a job offer and undergo labor certification (PERM), showing no available qualified U.S. workers.
Skilled Workers: Job offer requires at least 2 years of training or experience.
Professionals: Job offer requires a U.S. bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent.
Other Workers: Job offer requiring less than 2 years of training or experience.
Pros
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.
EB-3
Provides complete flexibility to work, live, and study in the U.S.
Straightforward process with clear requirements.
Highly flexible, applicable to almost any job that aligns with your experience or qualifications based on its minimum requirements.
Cons
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.
EB-3
The labor certification process (PERM) is lengthy and time-consuming.
Applicants are tied to the employer sponsoring the petition for most of the application process.
Slower processing times compared to other categories, particularly for applicants from certain countries.
Sponsorship
EB-1C
Required
EB-3
Required
Validity period
EB-1C
Permanent residency
EB-3
Permanent residency
Renewable
EB-1C
Every 10 years
EB-3
Every 10 years
Without premium processing
EB-1C
10-18 months1
EB-3
Three stages, totaling about 36-48 months1
With premium processing
EB-1C
45 business days2
EB-3
15 business days2
Can spouse work
EB-1C
Yes
EB-3
Yes
Disclaimers
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.
EB-3
1Applicants from India, China, or Mexico may experience longer wait times.
2Available for only one stage of the process, with minimal impact on the overall processing time.