E1 Visa Immigration Services

Trade legally and freely in the USA with an E1 Treaty Trader Visa

If your business is based in a country that has a trade agreement with the U.S., you may need to obtain an E1 trader visa to further grow or scale your business. 

At Blue Lake Law, we’ve helped countless companies and individuals across the world obtain an E1 treaty trader visa without the hassle of having to understand complex paperwork themselves.

What is an E1 Treaty Trader Visa?

An E1 Treaty Trader visa, often called the treaty trader visa, is a temporary, non-immigrant U.S visa for foreign nationals of countries with which the United States maintains a treaty of commerce.

This U.S visa is designed to allow business owners, managers, or employees of qualifying organisations the right to live and work in the USA on a temporary basis whilst conducting international trade. This trade must be between the U.S. and the treaty country and can involve the sale of goods, services, banking, insurance, or technology. 

It’s important to note that the E1 treaty trader visa does not offer a direct path towards obtaining permanent residence in the United States. 

E1 Treaty Trader Visa eligibility

There are a few key eligibility criteria you or your employee must meet when applying for an E1 treaty trader visa. These include:

Role in the business: Whomever is entering must be coming to the U.S to develop and direct the trade.

Nationality: You must have legal residence in a country that either maintains a treaty of commerce with the U.S., maintains a qualifying international agreement, or has been deemed a qualifying country by legislation. Please see here for a list of treaty counties. 

Substantial Trade: Your trading activity must be significant in terms of volume or monetary value.

Principal trade: This means that at least 50% of international trade must occur between the U.S. and the treaty country. 

E1 Treaty Trader Visa Duration and Extensions

The duration of an E1 treaty trader visa depends on the reciprocity between the U.S. and the treaty country and ranges between three months and five years. There is no maximum limit to how many extensions you request, but you must maintain an intention to depart the U.S. when your visa expires or is terminated.

Benefits of the E1 Treaty Trader Visa

The main benefit of obtaining an E1 trader visa is the potential for your business to grow and scale by trading goods or services in the USA. The U.S. market is one of the largest and most profitable, and can be the catalyst in securing lasting trading relationships. 

Some of the other benefits of attaining an E1 U.S visa for you or your employee include: 

• The possibility of indefinite extensions to your USA visa, provided the trade remains active and continues to abide by the agreement.
• Being able to work and live legally in the U.S. 
• Your dependents (spouse or unmarried children under 21) can accompany you during your stay. 
• Your child can enrol on the U.S. School system
• Your spouse immediately obtains  work authorisation 

E1 Treaty Trader Application Process

At Blue Lake Law, we understand the application process can seem overwhelming and complex. We outline the basic steps involved in securing your E1 treaty trader visa. 

Eligibility 

To start an E1 Treaty Trader visa, your company must be eligible and be based in a nation that enjoys a commercial treaty with the USA. 

Complete the U.S. visa forms

Once we’ve identified whether your company is eligible for a U.S visa, we will help you complete forms DS-160 and DS-156E. These forms are non-immigrant USA visas and are a crucial part of the process. 

Pay the USA visa fee 

At this point, you will need to pay the visa fee to progress your application. We will explain any fees that are required and how they can be paid. 

Gather required documents

After you have paid the relevant fees, you will need all the relevant documentation to help with your application, such as passports and financial records. These documents are necessary for your scheduled interview with your U.S embassy or consulate. 

Attend the E1 treaty trader visa interview 

Once we have submitted all the evidence and relevant forms, you will need to attend your interview at the designated U.S. Embassy or consulate to discuss your application and trading plans. 

Our team is experienced in making the E1 trader visa process seamless for business owners and traders. Speak to our team today to discuss your application.

How Blue Lake Law can help

Our team of expert immigration lawyers have helped countless businesses and traders successfully complete the E1 treaty trader visa process. We believe in making the process as straightforward as possible,reducing the complexity and overwhelming nature of applying for a US visa. Contact us today to begin your E1 treaty trader visa application.

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