The E1 Visa allows a person, or employees of companies, to enter the U.S. for the purpose of international trade with the U.S.

Many treaties of ‘Friendship, Commerce and Navigation’ have been signed by the United States with the aim of promoting investment and trade and ensuring development of peace and good relations with friendly countries. In fact, many bilateral investment treaties have been signed by the United States which intends to promote investment but does not bestow any privileges regarding trade-related immigration.

Argentina, Canada, Finland, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands Antilles, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand, United Kingdom, Austria are some of the countries with whom the U.S has signed the trade treaty.

In order to trade and develop their investment within USA, visas can be obtained by the nationals of those treaty countries. In these cases, the visa required is the E1 visa.

Who is a Treaty Trader?

To qualify as a treaty trader, one must be:

• a national of a treaty country with which US maintains ties of navigation and commerce.
• one who carries on substantial international trade.
• one whose principal trade is with the US. By principal trade, it means that this country has 50% or more of its international trade with the US.