What Are the Requirements and Qualifications for E-1 Visa Application, E1 Visa, E1 visa Requirements, E1 Qualifications, E-1 visa, E-1 Visa Application

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What Are the Requirements and Qualifications for E-1 Visa Application?

Hi William,

I need to apply for E-1 visa to work for a company in the United States. What are the requirements and qualifications for E-1 visa application?

Answer,

The E-1 Treaty Trader visa allows foreign nationals to enter the U.S. to carry on substantial trade between the U.S. and their treaty country. To qualify, applicants must be nationals of a country with which the U.S. has a treaty of commerce and navigation, and the trade must be "substantial" and primarily between the U.S. and that treaty country. Employees of treaty traders can also qualify, provided they meet specific criteria.

The E-1 treaty trader visa is a nonimmigrant visa which allows foreign nationals of a treaty nation to enter into the U.S. and carry out substantial trade. A treaty trader belongs to a nation that maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation or a bilateral agreement with the U.S.

Trade includes commercial transactions in goods and trade in services and technology like banking, insurance, transportation, tourism, communications, data processing, advertising, accounting, design and engineering, management consulting, technology transfer and other measurable services which may be traded.

The applicant must be a national of a country with which the United States maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation. The applicant must be engaged in substantial trade, meaning a continuous flow of international trade between the U.S. and the treaty country. At least 50% of the trade volume must be between the U.S. and the treaty country. The trade can involve goods, money, or services. The applicant must intend to depart the U.S. when their E-1 status ends.

In order to qualify for the E1 visa, the trade being conducted must be considered substantial. Substantial trade is defined as trade “sufficient to ensure a continuous flow” between the US and the treaty country. This means consular officers granting E1 visas will be focused on the number of transactions more than the monetary value.