USA E1 Treaty Trader Visas

Benefits

The major benefit of the E1 category of US immigration is that, so long as the requirements continue to be met, a person may continue living and working in the US on an indefinite basis. In America visas of this kind may be extended by two years at a time so long as the applicant still satisfies the original criteria. 

However, it is worth noting that, as with non-immigrant visas such as the H1-B visa and L1 visa, which function in a similar manner to a UK work permit, Adjustment of Status may be an option. Global Visas can assist with finding the right US visa for you.

Since 

applying

 for a US Permanent Resident Card can be a lengthy process, it is a common practice to immigrate to the USA on a temporary US visa for a limited duration, whilst simultaneously beginning US Green Card application proceedings.

E1 Treaty Trader Eligibility Requirements

The E1 visa is designed for those applicants immigrating to the USA from a country with which the United States has a commercial treaty in place.

Applicants for USA visas of this kind must be migrating to undertake "substantial" trade with the United States which involves the international exchange of qualifying activities or commodities such as goods, services, technologies, or monies (in which the title of the trade item passes from one party to the other). 

In practice, this means that there is a sizeable and continuing volume of trade. In addition, the trade must be principally between the U.S. and the treaty country (which is defined to mean that more than 50 percent of the international trade involved must be between the U.S. and the country of the applicant's nationality). No set limits exist to govern these criteria, each case is considered upon its own merits.

In addition to the criteria outlined above, candidates for US visas as employees of E1 Registered companies must be employed in an executive or supervisory level; or be classified as an "essential employee" able to offer specialty knowledge and skills which are invaluable to the company in question.

Participating Countries:

Another requirement of the E-1 visa is that the investor must be a national of a treaty country and a requisite treaty must exist between the US and the foreign country of the foreign national.  Please see the US Department of State website to see if a treaty exists in your home country under the E-2 visa category.

Dependent Immigration and Spouse Immigration

In America, immigration through E visas may be regarded as a possible route to permanent residency in the US, or otherwise, US residency for a period of some years. As a result, the spouse and or dependents of successful applicants are permitted to migrate to the USA along with the principle applicant. Whilst derivative E visas do not in themselves provide the right to work in America, an applicant's spouse may apply separately for an EAD card for Employment Authorization. Whilst dependent children under the age of 21 will be permitted to enter the country, they will not be allowed to work under this US immigration service. Find out further information on our US Business Visitors (B1) page.