The immigration visa system is a complex universe with a lot of opportunities for foreign nationals to enter America.

While the options are bountiful, each type of visa has its own unique set of requirements that make its applicant pool very focused.

For example, H1B visa applicants are foreign talent living abroad who have the offer of specific roles at a U.S. company. Further, K1 visas are strictly for engaged foreign fiancés living abroad.

Another type of visa, the E1 visa, is a treaty trade level visa with the criteria to focus on stimulating the trade economy of America.

Quite simply, the E1 visa allows individuals, or employees of companies, to enter the U.S. for the purpose of carrying out international trade.

The definition of “trade” is not strict. It may apply to the trade of goods, services, and even banking.

In fact, trade is the existing international exchange of items of trade for consideration between the United States and the treaty country. Items of trade include but are not limited to:

 

• Goods.
• Services.
• International banking.
• Insurance.
• Transportation.
• Tourism.
• Technology and its transfer.
• Some news-gathering activities.

 

These E1 visa applicants must hail from a treaty country, just like the E2 visa and EB5 visa applicants.

Moreover, this visa, in particular, is under the premise that these visa holders will stimulate trade between America and their country of origin.

To qualify for E1 classification, the treaty trader must:

• Be a national of a country with which the United States maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation or with which the United States maintains a qualifying international agreement, or which has been deemed a qualifying country by legislation
• Carry on substantial trade
• Carry on principal trade between the United States and the treaty country which qualified the treaty trader for E1 classification.

Understanding the E1 Visa

Are you a foreign national from a treaty trader country looking to seek legal residence in the United States? If you are a trade professional, the E1 visa might be the solution for you!

Contact us today to learn about your options.