This employment-based first preference category (EB1) allows multinational executives and managers to apply for permanent residence.  To be eligible for EB-1 classification as a manager or executive transferred to the U.S., you must have been employed outside the U.S. as a manager or executive for at least one out of the past three years for a company affiliated with the U.S. Company that is filing the I-140 immigrant petition. The U.S. petitioning company must have been doing business in the U.S. for at least one year.  The requirements for multinational executives and managers under the immigration first preference are similar to those for executives and managers under the L-1A non-immigrant category.

A non-immigrant worker under L-1A status may generally qualify under the first preference category. However, the L-1B employees with “specialized knowledge” are not eligible for this type of green card petition.