E-1 TREATY TRADER VISA
US Immigration Attorney - E-1 Trader Visa Advice
Our United States Immigration Lawyers are experienced, ethical, and registered
with AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association), and they can assist clients
in our offices in Brisbane, Australia and in Hong Kong. Our US
Attorney's can advise clients worldwide, with a fast and efficient Consultation by
telephone or skype where they advise you about:
- Visa eligibility and Treaty Country eligibility
- Information about the visa process
- Assistance with a re-application after a US Visa Denial
- Assistance in buying a business or setting up a new business in the US that
meets the E-1 visa requirements
- Supporting documents showing evidence of overseas business and new business
trade relations, invoices and contracts
- Checklist of documents required and format
- Assistance in completion of USCIS Application forms or petitions
- US Consulate Interview preparation covering common questions and answers
- Visa Processing time guidance
- USCIS fees and Attorney fees for complete visa application assistance
Contact VisaConnect's US Immigration Attorney's, in 2023 for
advice and assistance with your E-1 Treaty Trader Visa application! Visit us in our offices in Brisbane, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, London, UK and
Lisbon, Portugal.
E-1 Visa - Qualifications of a Treaty Trader
The E-1 visa is a
non-immigrant classification which allows for a national of a Treaty country to be
admitted to the United States solely to engage in international trade on their own
behalf for a maximum initial stay of 2 years. Treaty traders and employees may be
accompanied or followed by spouses and unmarried children who are under 21 years of
age. Their nationalities need not be the same as the treaty trader or
employee.
The E-1 trader must meet the following qualifications to qualify
for the E-1 visa:
1. Treaty Country - Be a national (citizen holding a valid Passport) of a
country with which the United States maintains a treaty of commerce and
navigation.
2. Substantial Trade - Carry on 'substantial trade'.
3. Principal Trade - Carry on 'principal trade' between the United States
and the treaty country which qualifies the treaty trader for the E-1
classification.
4. Essential Employee - Employed in a supervisory or executive capacity or
possess highly specialized skills essential to the efficient operation of the firm.
Ordinary skilled or unskilled workers do not qualify.
What is 'Trade'?
'Trade' is the existing international exchange of items of
trade for consideration between the United States and the treaty country. Items of
trade include but are not limited to:
- Goods
- Services
- International Banking
- Insurance
- Transportation
- Tourism
- Technology and its transfer
- News-gathering activities
- Tourism
What is 'Substantial Trade' and 'Principal Trade'?
Substantial trade
- refers to the continuous flow of sizable international trade items, involving
numerous transactions over time. There is no minimum requirement regarding the
monetary value or volume of each transaction. While monetary value of transactions
is an important factor in considering substantiality, greater weight is given to
more numerous exchanges of greater value.
Principal trade - between the United States and the treaty country exists
when over 50% of the total volume of international trade is between the U.S. and
the trader's treaty country.
What are the Treaty Countries?
The following are a list of the U.S.
Department of State's Treaty Countries (as at 2018), of which nationals of these
countries are eligible for either the E-1 Treaty Trader visa or the E-2 Treaty
Investor visa or both visas:
- Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain,
Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cameroon,
Canada, Chile, China (Taiwan), Colombia, Congo (Brazzaville), Costa Rica, Costa
Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia,
Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Honduras, Iran, Ireland,
Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea (South), Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan,
Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia,
Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay,
Philippines, Poland, Romania, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovak Republic,
Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo,
Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Yugoslavia.
E-1 Visa - Application Process
The following steps are required to apply for the E-1 Treaty
Trader visa:
1. Form DS-160 - Complete Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form
DS-160.
2. Photo -Upload your Photo.
3. Schedule an Interview You must schedule an appointment for your visa
interview, generally, at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you
live.
4. Pay Visa Application Fee
5. Form DS-156E - Complete Nonimmigrant Treaty Trader/Treaty Investor
Application, Form DS-156E (required for all E-1 and E-2 visa applicants).
6. Additional Documents and Forms at Interview - visa applicants must
establish that the trading enterprise or investment enterprise meets the
requirements of the law and complies with the many requirements for the E visa
category. The Consular officer may provide you with special forms to complete for
this purpose.
7. Digital Fingerprint Scans - taken as part of your application process, at
the Interview.
8. Spouse - Employment Authorization - Spouses who wish to work in the US
may apply for the E-1 visa as dependents, and complete the form I-765 work
authorization, with USCIS, after the Spouse has arrived in the US. If approved,
there are no specific work restrictions regarding where they may work.