Green card

Nonimmigrant visa

Multinational Executives and Managers

Internationally Recognized Athletes

Corporate executives, High-level managers, Business owners

Professional athletes, Coaches, Sports instructors, Athletic trainers, Professional gamers, Sports officials, Athletic teams

• 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.

• Demonstrate international recognition with significant sports achievements.

• Participate in top-level events or competitions.

• Enter the U.S. to compete or participate in high-profile sports events.

• 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.

• Facilitates entry for top athletes to compete in the U.S.

• Simplifies the process with team petitions for groups.

• Extended stay periods accommodate individual athletes' competition schedules.

• Flexible sponsorship options, including sponsorship by an agent—an individual or entity designated to act on your behalf—instead of a single payroll employer. This allows you to work for multiple employers and change employers easily.

• 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.

• Requires strict documentation of international recognition and significant achievements.

• Spouses and dependents do not receive work authorization.

• Renewal and extension processes require proof of continued eligibility and upcoming competitions.

Required

Required

Permanent residency

Up to 5 years for individuals and up to 1 year for teams¹.

Every 10 years

Up to 10 years for individuals and in 1-year increments for teams².

10-18 months¹

3-6 months

45 business days²

15 business days

Yes

No

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.

^{1, 2}Validity and renewable options depend on the specific classification of the athlete or team.