E-1 Treaty Trader Visa US

Under the Treaty Trader Visa, an applicant must be a national of a country that has a trade treaty with the United States. The applicant must be employed in a supervisory or executive capacity. Alternatively, applicants can possess highly specialized skills in the qualifying business. Documented trade must represent at least 50% of the international trade between the US and the applicant’s country of nationality. Ordinary skilled or unskilled workers do not qualify for the Treaty Trader Visa. The business must also have the same nationality as the applicant. The international trade must be "substantial" and represent a sizeable and continuing volume of trade.

Treaty Trader Visa (E-1) Basic Requirements

Essential requirements include that a substantial volume of trade be conducted of an international nature. The international trade cannot be based on a single transaction, as there must be a continuous flow of substantial trade. The eligible applicant must be a national of a country that has a treaty or other arrangement with the United States.

Treaty Trader Visa (E-1) Entitlements

The Treaty Trader Visa provides applicants with the opportunity to work and live in the United States for as long as they continue to maintain their positions with the business. Extensions are granted for up to 2 years at a time. There is no maximum number of extensions of stay, with some exceptions. Spouses and children under the age of 21 who wish to accompany or join the principal visa holder in the United States for the duration of the stay may apply for the relevant visas. They are eligible to study, and spouses are also eligible to apply for work authorization after arriving in the United States.