Immigration Services Multinational Executives in Houston Texas
There are thousands of expatriates working in the U.S.A. In fact, many of them have gained citizenship through this channel, thanks to the EB-1 visa program for multinational executives. Here is everything you need to know about working in the U.S. as an expatriate in the capacity of a manager or executive, and the visa program you need to get in.
What is the EB-1 Visa Program?
The EB-1 visa is a program designed to allow multinational executives and other individuals to work in the U.S. It is not the only visa program of its kind, but it is the most convenient. The terms “manager” and “executive” are broad, but the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have several definitions of which you must meet at least one.
The USCIS defines a manager as someone who:
- Manages a corporation or department in a company
- Can make personal decisions when it comes to hiring and termination of employees
- Supervises and directs other employees
- Exercises discretion over everything that he/she has authority over
An executive, on the other hand, is defined as someone who:
- Has the authority to establish policies and goals
- Is only under the authority of stock holders, board of directors, or higher executives
- Shows discretion in his/her decision-making
- Manages the corporation
Interestingly, the EB-1 visa program is also available for outstanding professors and researchers as well as individuals possessing extraordinary abilities such as artists and athletes. Requirements vary under these categories.
Eligibility for EB-1 Visa Program as a Multinational Executive
The primary requirement of qualifying for the EB-1 visa program is being an executive or manager. Other requirements include:
- Proof of employment
You have to show proof that you are employed in an executive position in a foreign company that is either an affiliate of a U.S. firm or has an affiliate company in the U.S. Additionally, your employer must also work for the firm in an executive position – it doesn’t have to be in your specific branch as long as it is the same firm.
- Experience in your occupation
Being employed is not enough – you need experience of at least 3 years in your executive position. What’s more, your employer must have also held his/her executive position for at least one year.
- Proof of transfer
You also need to show that you have been transferred to the U.S. branch or affiliate of your firm. Your current employment position must also be in an executive or managerial position.
The authorities may need more evidence depending on the exact nature of your job considering the diversity in businesses. What’s more, individuals from certain countries may not qualify because of factors such as sanctioning especially in light of the regulations imposed by the current administration. As such, it is recommendable to always keep an open mind and have all your documents ready to go.
Applying for the EB-1 Visa Program
The EB-1 visa program is easy to apply as long as you meet all the requirements. The processing time is also quite short depending on the backlog.
The USCIS stipulates that the employer must file the petition on your behalf. The petition has several fields that should be filled in appropriately. These fields require details such as the executive’s or manager’s qualifications. The petition should also state the duties of the applicant in his/her former managerial position as well what he/she will be expected to do in the new position as a manager or executive in the U.S. The employer is also responsible for explaining the relationship between the foreign company and its affiliate in the U.S.
There is a lot of paperwork involved when applying for the EB-1 visa program. To this end, it is recommended to solicit the services of an immigrations attorney.
RunRex.com – The Go-to Law Firm in Houston, Texas
Houston is a beautiful city with a lot of business opportunities. Expatriates seeking to work in Houston often enjoy it – some even never want to move. However, before you can settle here, you will need a good immigration attorney to help you with your paperwork.
RunRex.com is the leading immigration law firm in Houston and its outskirts. We have been in business for over 15 years, and we handle visa applications for multinational executives every day. Ours is a team of international attorney, and we communicate in a variety of languages including Spanish and Mandarin.
We will handle every aspect of your EB-1 visa application and see it through to the very end. All you have to do is supply us with the relevant information and we will handle the rest. We can even go a step further and talk about applying for citizenship if you feel at home in Houston.
We are always available, so don’t hesitate to give us a call to book an appointment or simply discuss what you need.