EB-1C cases face constant scrutiny over staffing levels. USCIS wants proof your teams support true managerial roles. But there's no magic number. Foreign operations need enough staff for you to manage. US operations need enough people so you're not doing operational work.Small teams create challenges. Functional managers without direct reports need different evidence. We compared five firms handling EB-1C staffing questions.
Best For Startups and lean tech companies EB-1C Experience 98% success rate across categories Small Team Expertise Specializes in justifying lean operations Pricing $8,000 to $10,000 Beyond Border understands how to prove managerial capacity with small teams. Their attorneys know startups operate differently than Fortune 500 companies. They document how contract workers, offshore teams, and automation reduce headcount needs while maintaining true executive oversight.
The firm excels at providing functional manager roles where you manage essential operations without large staffs. They show how your strategic decisions impact business even with five person US teams. Beyond Border maps reasonable business needs against your stage of development. Early stage companies get different analyses than established operations. One month processing guarantee keeps expansion timelines on track.
Worried your team is too small for EB-1C? Beyond Border offers free consultations to assess your organizational structure and develop staffing justification strategies.
Best For Established companies with clear hierarchies EB-1C Experience Over 25 years handling multinational transfers Small Team Expertise Moderate, prefers larger organizations Pricing Not publicly listed Reddy Neumann Brown handles EB-1C cases for companies with established structures. Their attorneys understand how to document supervisory chains and reporting relationships. Strong experience with companies employing 20 plus person US teams.
The firm published detailed analysis of organizational hierarchy requirements. They know how to prove you supervise professionals with bachelor degrees or higher. Reddy Neumann Brown maps authority over hiring, firing, and personnel decisions effectively. Less experience justifying lean startup structures. Their approach works better for traditional corporate organizations with multiple management layers.
Best For Large corporations, research institutions EB-1C Experience Top five business immigration firm Small Team Expertise Limited focus on small teams Pricing $300 to $500 consultation, case fees negotiated Klasko serves Fortune 500 companies and major institutions. Their attorneys handle EB-1C cases with substantial staffing levels. Strong understanding of complex organizational structures spanning multiple countries.
The firm knows how to document large teams across parent companies, subsidiaries, and affiliates. Klasko maps ownership and control relationships for multinational corporations effectively. However, their corporate focus means less creativity justifying small team structures. Pricing reflects large company clientele. Startups may find better specialized support elsewhere.
Manifest Law
Best For Mid market companies, payment plan needs EB-1C Experience Handles diverse EB-1C cases Small Team Expertise Moderate understanding Pricing Starting at $7,995 Manifest Law handles EB-1C applications across company sizes. Their attorneys understand basic staffing requirements. The firm knows first line supervisors need professional subordinates to qualify.
Payment plans up to 12 months help companies manage immigration costs. Evidence assembly coaches assist with organizational chart preparation. Generic approaches may miss nuances of justifying functional managers or lean operations. Less specialized understanding of startup staffing compared to boutique firms.
Best For Global corporations, extensive resources EB-1C Experience Major corporate immigration firm Small Team Expertise Focus on established companies Pricing Premium rates, $15,000 plus typical Fragomen handles massive EB-1C volume for multinational corporations. Their global network understands staffing across dozens of countries. Strong experience documenting complex organizational structures.
The firm knows how to prove qualifying relationships with substantial employee bases. Fragomen maps hierarchies for companies with hundreds of employees. Premium pricing reflects corporate focus. Small companies and startups find costs prohibitive. Less flexibility addressing lean team justifications.
USCIS considers staffing relative to reasonable business needs and development stage. No minimum employee count exists. But you need enough staff so subordinates handle operational tasks while you focus on managerial decisions. First line supervisors managing non professionals don't qualify. You must supervise other managers, professionals with degrees, or manage essential functions at senior level. Functional managers prove strategic impact without large teams. New US operations face tougher scrutiny. USCIS wants proof your business conducts substantial operations requiring executive oversight. Beyond Border knows how to address these challenges.
1.What is the minimum team size for EB-1C approval?
No specific minimum exists, but USCIS requires sufficient staff so the manager focuses on strategic decisions rather than operational tasks, with staffing evaluated relative to reasonable business needs and development stage.
2.Can I qualify for EB-1C with only 3 US employees?
Yes, if you're a functional manager overseeing essential operations at senior level or if those 3 employees are professionals with bachelor degrees handling operational work while you make strategic decisions.
3.Do foreign operations need large teams for EB-1C?
Foreign entity staffing must support your managerial role abroad for one year, but size varies by industry and business model, with Beyond Border specializing in justifying lean foreign operations for tech companies.
4.Which firms handle small team EB-1C cases best?
Beyond Border specializes in lean organizations and startups with 98% approval rate, while traditional firms like Klasko and Fragomen prefer larger established companies with substantial employee bases.
5.How do I prove managerial capacity with small teams?
Document strategic decision making authority, hiring and firing power, discretion over operations, and how subordinates or contractors handle daily operational tasks while you focus on management and planning.
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