How to apply for E-1 visa

Treaty traders from treaty countries with their treaty shoes and treaty hair may qualify for the E1 visa classification if they meet several basic criteria. And no, treaty shoes and treaty hair are not real things. A treaty trader admitted to the United States under the E1 classification is admitted in order to engage in international trade on his or her own behalf, or on behalf of an employer in the case of qualified employees. Several of our Los Angeles immigration attorneys and Burbank immigration attorneys here at our full-service immigration law firm specialize in the E1 classification, and are experts in the legislation which governs the visa category.

A successful petition for an E1 visa has several marked characteristics. It demonstrates that the treaty trader:

• Is the national of a treaty country
• Carries on substantial trade
• Carries on principal trade between the US and his/her treaty country of nationality

Now what is a treaty country exactly, since I’ve been throwing that term a lot lately? A treaty country is a country that has a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States. The intricate details of what this means aren’t really important for your purposes, all you need to know is whether or not your country is a treaty country. Our immigration attorneys keep an updated list on hand and available at all times in order to best help our clients with their immigration needs. Contact our office to find out if you are eligible for the E1 under your country of nationality.

Substantial trade is trade that has been determined to be a continuous flow of sizable international items of trade in numerous transactions over time. There is a series of tests and measurements through which each petition is put in order to determine if the trade is substantial according to USCIS standards. Speak with our immigration attorneys and allow us to assist you in drafting your petition and subject it to the same tests in order to ensure your petition will be approved.

Employees of treaty traders have their own set of qualifications and criteria they must fulfill, but they must absolutely be the same nationality as their employer. The employer, if not a person, must be an enterprise or organization, 50% of which must be owned by individuals either in the US with the nationality of the treaty country or individuals outside the US with the nationality of the treaty country who would have treaty trader status if they were within the US. Wow, that sounded complicated to me and I know what it means. Don’t worry; our immigration attorneys have been doing this flawlessly for years and are experts at what they do. It’s not just their job; it’s their passion.

There are limits to how long you can stay and who you can bring with you, of course, but all in all a lot can be done. Speak with our office to explore your options and find out about the bright future awaiting you.