Treaty Traders Visa

The E-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa category that allows nationals certain countries to enter the United States solely for the purpose of engaging in substantial trade between their home country and the United States. Some of the countries that qualify for this visa are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Spain, and the United Kingdom, among others. The applicant must demonstrate that they are coming to the United States to engage in substantial trade, which is defined as a continuous flow of substantial international trade between the United States and the treaty country.

The E-1 visa is a popular option for individuals who are looking to establish or expand their business operations in the United States. Unlike other visa categories, there is no cap on the number of E-1 visas that can be issued each year. This means that individuals who meet the eligibility requirements can obtain an E-1 visa without having to compete for a limited number of visas.

To obtain an E-1 visa, an individual must submit an application to the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. The application must include documentation demonstrating that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements for the E-1 visa, including proof of citizenship and evidence of substantial trade between the United States and the treaty country. Individuals who are already in the United States on another nonimmigrant status may be able to change their status to E-1 if they meet the eligibility requirements and file a petition with USCIS.

Lastly, this visa includes spouses and children under the age of 21 of the principal applicant. The visa is granted for a period of up to 5 years with a stay of two consecutive years in the country. These two years are automatically renewed with each entry into the country.