E1 visas (non-immigrant) are authorized for nationals (individuals or companies) of countries with which the United States has a commercial treaty, who are coming to the U.S. solely to engage in trade of a substantial nature principally between the United States and their country of nationality.

The trade involved must be international exchange (successfully negotiated contracts binding on all parties) of items of trade between the US and a treaty country. Trade may include commercial transactions in goods and trade in services and technology such as, but not limited to: banking, transportation, tourism, data processing, advertising, engineering, management consulting and many services which involve trade.  Title to the trade item must pass from one treaty party to the other.

An individual may qualify as the principal trader or as the employee of a trader company providing, they share the same nationality. The enterprise must be majority-owned by the treaty national (company or individual).

The individual must show an intent to depart the United States at the end of their visa stay.

General Requirements

• The foreign national must be a citizen of a treaty trader country and be involved with international trade.
• The foreign national must be coming to the U.S. with the purpose to carry on substantial trade or develop and direct an enterprise the has commercial trade with the alien’s country of nationality.
• The foreign national owns at least 50% of the business.
• The trade is substantial and on-going.
• At least 50% of the trade is between and the U.S. and treaty country

   

   

  If the applicant is inside the United States in lawful status (except for applicants on ESTA visas) then the foreign national may submit a change of status for a treaty trader visa to USCIS.

   

  If the applicant is outside the United States, the foreign national should apply for an E-1 visa on his or her own behalf directly to a US consular office abroad.

   

  For more information of E-1 Visas please contact our office.