U.S EB-1C Visa Program: Requirements, Documents & Process

About The U.S EB-1C Immigrant Visa Program

The EB-1C visa is a type of permanent residency visa in the U.S., commonly referred to as an unconditional Green Card, specifically designed for entrepreneurs and senior managers who are managing a foreign company. This visa allows the holder to move to the U.S. to manage and operate a branch or subsidiary her.

In addition to the applicant, the spouse and children under 21 years old will also be granted permanent residency Green Cards. After 5 years from receiving the Green Card, if all requirements are met, the family can apply for U.S. citizenship.

Time to Residency

5 years

Minimum Investment

No requirement

Type of Investment

Entrepreneur/senior executive

Visa-free Countries

Freedom of movement between Vietnam and the U.S

Benefits of the U.S. EB-1C Visa

The family can live and work freely anywhere in the U.S. as American citizens.
Children have the right to attend public schools free of charge.
The family is entitled to full social benefits similar to U.S. citizens, except for the right to vote.

Advantages of Holding the U.S. EB-1C Visa

Fast processing time, typically within 6 months
Provides the opportunity to own and manage a profitable business
After 5 years from receiving the Green Card, if all conditions are met, the investor and their family can apply for U.S. citizenship.

Requirements for the U.S. EB-1C Immigrant Visa

For the Business:

The parent company in Vietnam must be large and financially capable of making the investment in the U.S
The subsidiary in the U.S. must have been operational for at least 1 year and have a viable business plan for future growth.
All requirements of the L-1A visa must be met

For the Investor:

Must be 18 years or older. There is no upper age limit for the program.
Must hold a senior management position at the parent company in Vietnam
Must have the capability and experience to take on a senior management role and run the subsidiary in the U.S.
Must meet security and health background requirements.

Process for Obtaining the U.S. EB-1C Immigrant Visa

Step 1: Establish a branch or subsidiary in the U.S.

Step 2: Ensure the subsidiary operates effectively for at least 1 year

Step 3: Review and verify the EB-1C application to ensure all requirements are met.

Step 4: Compile and submit the application to the Immigration Service.

Step 5: Attend an interview to obtain the visa.

Documents Required for the U.S. EB-1C Immigrant Visa

Include the following documents:

For Filing Form I-140:

Form I-140: To be submitted by the sponsoring company on behalf of the applicant (official form for applying for the EB-1C visa).
Company Incorporation Certificate
Proof of Business Operations.
Personal Documents: Proof of identity, educational qualifications, and management experience.

(Processing time for Form I-140: 6-12 months)

For Form I-485:

Form I-485: Application for Adjustment of Status from temporary to permanent residency.
Proof of Financial Capability.
Proof of Educational Qualifications.
Proof of Management Experience.

For Form I-485:

Form I-485: Application for Adjustment of Status from temporary to permanent residency.
Health Documents.
Criminal Background Check Documents.

(Processing time for Form I-485: 12-18 months)

The EB-1C visa investment program is a strategic opportunity for business executives and senior managers from international organizations. By meeting strict eligibility requirements, applicants can obtain a U.S. permanent green card, extending residency rights to their entire family, without the long waiting times often associated with other visa categories.

Second Citizenship proudly features a team of reputable immigration legal experts in Vietnam with extensive experience in investment immigration consulting. We accompany clients through the entire EB-1C process—from evaluating and acquiring a suitable business, establishing and operating a U.S. branch to obtain an L-1A visa, to optimizing business management in full compliance with EB-1C transition requirements, maximizing approval success rates.

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Frequently asked questions about the EB-1C investment visa

What are the core requirements for EB-1C visa approval?

The applicant must have held an executive or senior managerial position at a foreign company for at least one year within the three years preceding the application. In addition, the U.S. company and the foreign company must have a qualifying relationship (parent-subsidiary, branch, or affiliate). More importantly, the U.S. entity must be actively operating—with verifiable revenue, employees, and an organizational structure that supports a genuine executive or managerial role.

How is EB-1C different from L-1A, and why do many investors transition to it?

L-1A is a non-immigrant visa, while EB-1C is a direct immigrant visa leading to permanent residency. Many L-1A holders transition to EB-1C after their U.S. business has been operating stably for 1–2 years to apply for a green card. The main advantages of EB-1C are that it does not require a minimum investment amount, proof of source of funds, or country quota like EB-5, resulting in a generally faster approval process.

What factors commonly lead to EB-1C application denials?

Applications are often denied if the U.S. company cannot demonstrate sufficient scale to justify an executive-level position or if the applicant’s role does not clearly reflect strategic management rather than direct supervision. USCIS also scrutinizes the legitimacy of business operations, cash flow, tax records, and organizational charts. Therefore, a well-prepared business file—with concrete financial data and a clear growth plan, is essential for success.