E1 Visa (Treaty Trader)

The E-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa for individuals from treaty countries who want to enter the U.S. for the purpose of conducting substantial trade between their home country and the U.S.

You must be a national of a country that maintains a treaty of commerce with the U.S. The trade must be substantial, ongoing, and primarily between the U.S. and the treaty country.

Substantial trade refers to a continuous flow of sizable trade transactions between the U.S. and the treaty country. There is no strict monetary threshold, but the volume and frequency of trade are critical.

Trade can include goods, services, technology, banking, insurance, and other international exchanges. The key requirement is that the trade must be primarily between the U.S. and the treaty country.

E-1 visa holders are initially granted a stay of up to two years. The visa can be renewed indefinitely in two-year increments as long as the visa holder continues to meet the trade requirements.

Yes, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can accompany you. Your spouse may also apply for work authorization in the U.S., while children are allowed to attend school but cannot work.

No, unlike the E-2 visa (Treaty Investor Visa), there is no minimum investment requirement for the E-1 visa. The focus is on substantial trade rather than investment.

Yes, the E-1 visa can be renewed indefinitely in two-year increments as long as the trade remains substantial and between the U.S. and the treaty country.

The E-1 visa allows for the continuous conduct of international trade, is renewable without a fixed limit, and does not require the intent to immigrate permanently. It also allows the visa holder's spouse to work in the U.S. without restrictions on employment location.

To apply for the E-1 visa, you must complete Form DS-160 (Non-immigrant Visa Application), provide necessary documentation (such as proof of trade activities), and schedule an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country.

No, you can only work for the enterprise that is involved in substantial trade between your home country and the U.S. If you are employed, you must be in an executive or supervisory role or possess specialized skills essential to the business.

Yes, as long as the trade activities continue to meet the requirements, the E-1 visa can be renewed every two years without an upper limit on the total length of stay.