In order to promote business and development, the U.S. has entered into treaties with various countries for the purpose of allowing foreign nationals to perform business services in the U.S. The E-1 visa is for individuals from such countries who are performing international trade on behalf of their businesses (or in certain circumstances, employees of such companies).
The basic qualifications for the E-1 visa treaty traders require the individual to be a national of a foreign country with which the U.S. has entered into a treaty trader agreement, and that the individual’s business is engaged in substantial trade between the U.S. and the country from which the individual qualified for the E-1 visa. For example, the E-1 visa would be appropriate for a national of France who owns a French company that will engage in substantial trade between the U.S. and France. Substantial trade is defined as more than half of the business’ continuous trade between the U.S. and the foreign country. Note, this refers to the volume of trade of the goods or services, not the monetary value of the transactions themselves. The subject of trade may be goods, services or technology.
E-1 visas may be granted for up to two years with the possibility of extension in two year increments, with no limit on the number of extensions. Spouses and children of E-1 visa holders may have a dependent-based visa, and spouses may petition for work authorization based on their E-1 dependent status.
The U.S. E-1 visa attorneys at Surowitz Immigration, P.C. are highly experienced assisting individuals obtain visas to enter the United States from many different countries worldwide. If you have questions about obtaining an E-1 visa or would like more information, contact us today.
