FORMS: Form I-129 (in U.S.) or DS-160 (consular)
The E-1 Treaty Trader visa allows nationals of treaty countries to enter the U.S. to engage in substantial international trade between their country and the United States. The trade can be in goods, services, technology, or other tangible items. There is no maximum stay limit — E-1s can be extended indefinitely as long as treaty trade continues.
Applicant must be a national of a treaty country; the U.S. enterprise must have the same nationality (50%+ ownership by treaty nationals); trade must be substantial (continuous flow of sizable transactions); trade must be principally between U.S. and treaty country (50%+ of total volume); and applicant must be in executive/supervisory role or possess essential skills.
Outside U.S.: file at U.S. consulate via DS-160 with extensive trade documentation. Inside U.S.: file Form I-129 to change status. Heavy emphasis on quantifying trade volume — invoices, contracts, financial statements over multiple periods.
Required: nationality documentation (passports, ownership records); evidence of substantial trade (invoices, bills of lading, contracts, financial statements); proof trade is principally between U.S. and treaty country; description of applicant's role (executive/supervisory or essential skills); and corporate documents.
Visa fee at consulate; I-129 fees in U.S.; Asylum Program Fee.
Consular processing varies (4–12 weeks); Initial admission up to 2 years; Extensions in 2-year increments indefinitely.
We represent international traders, import/export companies, logistics firms, and technology providers in E-1 filings. Our practice spans treaty countries with high U.S. trade flows, including European, Asian, and Latin American clients.
If you're a treaty country national engaged in substantial U.S.-bound trade, the E-1 offers indefinite renewable U.S. work authorization. Contact us for an E-1 evaluation.
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