34 EB-1C Visa Statistics Every Multinational Executive Should Know in 2026

‍Comprehensive data compiled from USCIS reports, Department of State visa bulletins, and official immigration statistics

Key Takeaways

• Approval rates consistently exceed 96% – The EB-1C visa maintains the highest approval rate among all EB-1 subcategories, with 97.6% in Q3 FY2025, making it the most reliable path to a green card for multinational managers and executives
• Premium processing delivers 45-day decisions – USCIS offers 45-day premium processing for EB-1C petitions, providing certainty for time-sensitive executive transfers and accelerating the path to permanent residency
• Denial rates remain exceptionally low – With only 64 denials out of 2,698 petitions adjudicated in Q3 FY 2025, properly prepared EB-1C applications face minimal rejection risk when filed with experienced legal counsel
• Country-specific backlogs affect India and China – Applicants from these countries face priority dates at 2022, adding 2-3 years to their timeline, while all other nationalities remain current
• Total processing time ranges from 12-24 months – Understanding the complete timeline—from I-140 petition through green card issuance—helps businesses and individuals plan their immigration strategy effectively

EB-1C Approval Rates & Success Metrics

1. 97.6% approval rate achieved in Q3 FY 2025—the highest among all EB-1 subcategories. USCIS data confirms that EB-1C reached 97.6% in the third quarter of fiscal year 2025, outperforming both EB-1A extraordinary ability and EB-1B outstanding researcher categories. This exceptional success rate reflects the clear eligibility criteria and employer-backed nature of EB-1C petitions.

2. 97% approval rate maintained in Q1 FY 2025. The 97% approval rate in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 demonstrates sustained excellence in adjudication outcomes. This consistency provides confidence for both petitioning employers and beneficiaries planning their immigration timeline.

3. 96% approval rate achieved consistently through all four quarters of 2024. Throughout calendar year 2024, EB-1C maintained 96% in Q1, Q2, Q4, with 97% in Q3. This six-quarter streak of 96-97% approval rates demonstrates remarkable stability unmatched by other visa categories.

4. Only 89 petitions denied out of approximately 2,970 adjudicated in Q1 FY 2025. With just 89 denials during the quarter, the denial rate remains below 3%. Properly documented petitions with clear evidence of managerial or executive capacity face minimal rejection risk.

5. 64 denials recorded in Q3 FY 2025—representing less than 2.4% of adjudicated cases. The 64 denied petitions in Q3 FY 2025 against 2,634 approvals reflects an exceptionally low denial rate. Working with experienced immigration attorneys further reduces the risk of denial through proper petition preparation.

Processing Times: What to Expect

6. Standard I-140 petition processing takes 8-10 months. Without premium processing, EB-1C petitions typically require 8-10 months for adjudication. This timeline can vary based on service center workload and case complexity. Companies needing faster results should consider premium processing.

7. Premium processing delivers decisions within 45 business days. USCIS offers 45-day premium processing for EB-1C petitions, providing certainty for time-sensitive executive transfers and business planning.

8. Adjustment of Status (I-485) processing requires 8-14 months. After I-140 approval, applicants adjusting status within the U.S. face 8-14 months of processing for their green card application. This timeline runs concurrently with visa availability for most nationalities.

9. Consular processing takes 4-6 months after I-140 approval. For applicants completing their green card process at a U.S. consulate abroad, consular processing takes 4-6 months. This option can be faster than adjustment of status for applicants from countries without priority date backlogs.

10. Total EB-1C process spans 12-24 months from start to green card. The complete timeline—including petition preparation, I-140 adjudication, and final green card processing—typically requires 12-24 months. Alma's platform provides real-time tracking so HR teams and applicants always know their case status.

11. Biometrics appointments scheduled 1-3 months after I-485 filing. Applicants adjusting status can expect biometrics scheduling within 1-3 months of filing. This appointment collects fingerprints and photographs for background checks.

12. Interview scheduling occurs 6-8 months after biometrics when required. If USCIS requires an interview, scheduling typically happens 6-8 months post-biometrics. Many EB-1C cases are approved without interviews due to the thorough documentation required.

13. Green cards issued within weeks of final approval. Once approved, physical green cards arrive within a few weeks, completing the permanent residency process. Applicants receive work authorization throughout the process via EAD cards.

Application Volume & Backlog Statistics

14. 4,601 EB-1C petitions filed in Q1 FY 2025. USCIS received 4,601 new EB-1C petitions during the first quarter of fiscal year 2025. This volume demonstrates sustained demand from multinational companies transferring executives to U.S. operations.

15. 2,881 petitions approved in Q1 FY 2025. During the same quarter, 2,881 petitions received approval, reflecting USCIS's processing capacity. The difference between filings and approvals contributes to backlog growth.

16. 3,731 petitions filed in Q3 FY 2025. The third quarter of fiscal year 2025 saw 3,731 new EB-1C filings, representing continued significant corporate immigration activity.

17. 2,634 approvals processed in Q3 FY 2025. USCIS approved 2,634 EB-1C petitions in Q3 FY 2025, maintaining steady adjudication rates despite backlog pressures.

18. 7,990 petitions pending at end of Q1 FY 2025. The EB-1C backlog stood at 7,990 pending cases at quarter's end. This backlog drives the 8-10 month standard processing times.

19. 8,997 petitions pending by Q2 2025—a 12.6% increase. The backlog grew to 8,997 pending cases by Q2 2025, representing a significant increase from 7,991 the previous quarter. This growth underscores the importance of filing well-prepared petitions promptly.

20. 10,028 EB-1C petitions pending by Q3 FY 2025. The continued backlog expansion to 10,028 cases signals increasing demand and potential for longer processing times. Premium processing becomes more valuable as backlogs grow.

Country-Specific Wait Times & Priority Dates

21. India EB-1 priority date frozen at February 1, 2022. Indian nationals face the longest waits, with priority dates at Feb 2022 as of March 2025. This three-year backlog adds significantly to total processing time.

22. China EB-1 priority date set at November 8, 2022. Chinese applicants face a November 2022 priority date, creating approximately 2.5 years of additional wait time beyond standard processing.

23. Indian and Chinese applicants face 2-3 additional years due to retrogression. Beyond standard processing, applicants from these countries must wait 2-3 extra years for visa availability. Strategic planning and early filing are essential for affected executives.

24. EB-1 remains current for all countries except India and China. Applicants born in any other country face no additional wait times beyond standard processing. This means 12-24 month total timelines remain achievable for most nationalities.

25. November 2024 saw India EB-1 priority date at February 1, 2022. Historical data shows the India priority date has remained unchanged at Feb 2022 since late 2024, indicating slow movement in this backlog.

Comparative Analysis: EB-1C vs. Other EB Categories

26. EB-1C approval rate (97.6%) significantly exceeds EB-1A (66.6%). The EB-1A extraordinary ability category shows 66.6% approval compared to EB-1C's 97.6%. While EB-1A allows self-petition, the higher evidentiary burden creates greater rejection risk.

27. EB-1C matches EB-1B outstanding researcher approval at 97.2%. The EB-1B achieves 97.2%, nearly identical to EB-1C. Both employer-sponsored categories demonstrate higher success rates than self-petitioned options.

28. Overall EB-1 category approval rate stands at 79.7%. When combining all EB-1 subcategories, the overall rate reaches 79.7%. EB-1C's significantly higher rate demonstrates the value of clear employment relationships and documentation.

29. EB-1 category receives 28.6% of worldwide employment-based visa allocation. The entire EB-1 category—including EB-1A, EB-1B, and EB-1C—receives 28.6% of employment-based visas, approximately 40,000 visas annually. This finite allocation drives country-specific backlogs.

30. All EB-1 visas for FY 2024 exhausted by August 27, 2024. Demand for EB-1 visas proved so high that all visas were used before the fiscal year ended, triggering retrogression for subsequent applicants.

31. FY 2025 employment-based preference limit set at 150,037 visas. The total employment-based visa allocation for fiscal year 2025 reaches 150,037 visas across all categories, with EB-1 receiving its designated percentage.

Financial Considerations: Costs and Fees for EB-1C

32. Alma's EB-1C legal services fee is $10,000. Alma's flat-rate pricing for EB-1A/B/C petitions covers attorney services, paralegal support, and platform access. This transparent pricing eliminates surprise costs and enables accurate budgeting.

33. USCIS filing fees are separate from legal service costs. Government filing fees—including I-140 petition fee, I-485 adjustment of status fee, and biometrics—add to the total cost. Alma's administrative support helps ensure accurate fee calculation and submission.

34. Two-week document processing turnaround guaranteed. Beyond cost, time represents value. Alma guarantees two-week document preparation, ensuring petitions move forward efficiently once initiated.

Optimizing Your EB-1C Application: Strategic Considerations

Given the high approval rates, the primary risk factors for EB-1C petitions relate to documentation quality and eligibility interpretation.

Key success factors include:

• Clear organizational charts demonstrating the beneficiary's managerial or executive position
• Comprehensive job descriptions establishing decision-making authority
• Documentation of foreign employment meeting the one-year requirement
• Evidence of qualifying corporate relationship between U.S. and foreign entities

Companies sponsoring multiple EB-1C candidates benefit from Alma's Business Immigration Platform, which provides audit-ready records, compliance tracking, and centralized case management. The platform's built-in trackers and proactive alerts ensure nothing falls through the cracks during the 12-24 month process.

For individual executives, Alma's personalized immigration support delivers the expert guidance needed to present the strongest possible case.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average processing time for an EB-1C visa?

The total EB-1C process typically takes 12-24 months from petition filing to green card receipt. Standard I-140 processing requires 8-10 months, though premium processing reduces to 45 days. Adjustment of status or consular processing adds an additional 4-14 months depending on the chosen pathway.

What are the primary requirements for an EB-1C visa?

EB-1C eligibility requires employment abroad for at least one year in the preceding three years in a managerial or executive capacity. The U.S. employer must have operated for at least one year and maintain a qualifying relationship with the foreign entity. The U.S. position must also be managerial or executive in nature.

How does the EB-1C visa differ from EB-1A and EB-2 NIW categories?

EB-1C requires employer sponsorship and demonstrates 97.6% approval rates, while EB-1A allows self-petition but achieves only 66.6% approval due to higher evidentiary standards. EB-2 NIW offers another self-petition option but faces longer backlogs and different eligibility criteria focused on national interest rather than corporate structure.

Can an individual self-petition for an EB-1C visa?

No. Unlike EB-1A or EB-2 NIW, the EB-1C category requires employer sponsorship. The petitioning U.S. employer must have a qualifying relationship with the foreign company where the beneficiary previously worked. Self-petitioning executives should explore EB-1A extraordinary ability as an alternative.

Why do Indian and Chinese applicants face longer wait times?

Per-country visa limits create backlogs when demand exceeds annual allocations. Currently, India's priority date at Feb 2022 and China's at November 8, 2022, meaning applicants from these countries face 2-3 additional years beyond standard processing. Applicants from all other countries face no such delays.