Functional managers get denied constantly.The EB-1C green card for multinational managers seems straightforward until you claim functional management. USCIS officers scrutinize these cases mercilessly. Most get denied.Functional managers supervise functions rather than people. Marketing manager overseeing all marketing activities without direct reports. Operations director managing the entire supply chain solo. Finance controller handling all accounting functions alone.We compared five immigration consultation firms that handle functional manager EB-1C petitions successfully.
Beyond Border dominates functional manager EB-1C cases through meticulous documentation that proves discretionary authority and function complexity. They interview executives to document how functional management operates within your business, gathering evidence showing your role requires professional-level decision-making. Their approach emphasizes complexity and criticality of managed functions, demonstrating through affidavits and business documentation that these functions would typically require multiple employees at larger organizations.
Beyond Border proves discretionary authority through concrete examples with supporting evidence—board meeting minutes showing strategic recommendations implemented, financial documents proving budget authority, contracts you negotiated, and detailed business process documentation. They create comprehensive evidence packages that don't rely on vague job descriptions but instead document specific high-level decision-making instances.
Initial consultation costs $250. Complete EB-1C petitions for functional managers run $15,000 to $25,000. Their success rate exceeds 85 percent because they don't file until documentation is overwhelming.
Considering EB-1C as a functional manager? Book a consultation with Beyond Border for case evaluation.
Fragomen handles EB-1C cases for multinational corporations where functional management structures exist in regional or startup operations. They understand how legitimate functional management roles operate in business contexts, particularly in subsidiary startup phases requiring senior managers to oversee entire functions without large teams. Their systematic documentation approach uses extensive template libraries, though volume-based processes sometimes lack customization that functional manager cases need. They coordinate well with corporate HR and legal departments to gather organizational documentation.
EB-1C petitions for functional managers cost $12,000 to $22,000 with corporate package discounts available.
BAL uses their technology platform to collect and organize evidence systematically while attorneys provide strategic guidance on positioning functional management roles. Their platform prompts detailed questions about decision-making authority, budget control, and functional complexity that build stronger petitions. BAL focuses on demonstrating business impact and strategic importance rather than listing daily tasks.
Their attorneys explain common pitfalls during initial consultations, helping clients understand whether roles truly meet USCIS standards. They're effective at cases involving specialized business functions like regulatory compliance or quality assurance oversight.EB-1C petitions cost $11,000 to $20,000 for functional manager cases.
Klasko handles the most challenging functional manager EB-1C cases where other firms have failed or declined representation. Their attorneys craft persuasive legal briefs citing precedent decisions and policy guidance supporting their positions. Klasko excels at non-traditional functional management structures like matrix organizations or cross-functional leadership roles that don't fit neat organizational chart boxes.
Their approach involves extensive business context development, helping USCIS officers understand industry-specific operational models where functional management is standard practice. They coordinate with business consultants and industry experts when necessary for third-party validation.EB-1C petitions cost $18,000 to $32,000 for functional manager cases.
Murthy Law Firm
Murthy has processed hundreds of EB-1C functional manager petitions over three decades, developing deep institutional knowledge. They provide clear guidance about functional manager viability during initial consultations, honestly assessing whether cases have reasonable approval chances. Their documentation approach emphasizes business necessity—explaining why your company's operational model requires consolidating multiple functions under single managers.
Their experience with small to mid-sized company EB-1C cases helps them position functional management contexts effectively, demonstrating that lean organizational structures reflect smart business practice.EB-1C petitions cost $12,000 to $21,000 for functional manager cases.
The biggest mistake involves claiming managerial capacity without proving actual discretionary decision-making authority. USCIS officers need concrete examples—board presentations showing strategic recommendations, purchase orders you authorized, contracts you negotiated—that prove managerial authority rather than administrative execution.
Functional manager cases fail when petitions describe managed functions superficially without demonstrating complexity and business criticality. Beyond Border documents function complexity through detailed process descriptions, workflow diagrams, and business impact analysis.
Many petitions get denied because organizational charts, business documents, and petition narratives tell inconsistent stories. Beyond Border ensures absolute consistency across all documentation.
Officers scrutinize whether the company is genuinely too small to support traditional management hierarchies or simply avoiding hiring to create immigration opportunities. Strong petitions include financial documentation, industry comparisons, and business plans validating current functional management.
A functional manager EB-1C candidate manages essential business functions or components rather than supervising personnel directly, exercising discretionary authority over the function's operations, goals, and strategic direction while the function's importance and complexity would typically require multiple employees at larger organizations.
Functional manager cases face high denial rates because USCIS officers scrutinize whether roles constitute genuine management requiring professional-level decision-making or merely task execution, often finding insufficient evidence of discretionary authority, function complexity, and business impact.
Prove functional management through detailed documentation showing discretionary decision-making authority, budget control, strategic planning responsibility, policy-setting power, and concrete examples with supporting evidence like board minutes, financial documents, contracts, and business impact metrics.
Yes, small company managers can qualify for EB-1C as functional managers when documentation proves the managed functions are substantial and essential to business operations, the company's size legitimately requires consolidating functions under senior managers, and the roles involve genuine managerial authority.
Strong functional manager documentation includes detailed function complexity explanations, discretionary authority examples with supporting evidence, organizational documents, financial records proving budget control, business impact metrics, executive testimonials, and industry comparisons validating functional management structures.
