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E-1 — Treaty Trader
United StatesUnited States•North America
Open

E-1 — Treaty Trader

Work Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

2 weeks – 3 months

Estimated Cost

USD $315

Stay Duration

2 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Official Information
United States flag

Living in United States

Cost of Living
Baseline
Avg Salary$52,000
Quality of Life
185/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

For nationals of treaty countries engaged in substantial trade principally between the U.S. and their home country.

The E-1 is a US nonimmigrant visa for nationals of treaty countries to conduct substantial bilateral trade. Trade must be in goods, services, or technology, with over 50% flowing between the US and the treaty country. Employees require a supervisory, executive, or specialized-skills role.

Admission is for 2 years, extendable in 2-year increments indefinitely while qualifying trade continues. No job offer is required for the principal trader; the visa offers no PR pathway and dual intent is not permitted. Spouses are admitted as E-1S dependents and are employment authorized incident to status.

This visa is ideal for traders, executives, and essential employees from treaty countries running or working for businesses with a documented, ongoing US bilateral trade flow.

United States

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Cost Breakdown

MRV application feeUSD $315
Visa issuance fee—
TotalUSD $315

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant2 years

Eligible Nationalities (56)

ArgentinaArgentinaAustraliaAustraliaAustriaAustriaBelgiumBelgiumBoliviaBoliviaBosnia & HerzegovinaBosnia & HerzegovinaBruneiBruneiCanadaCanadaChileChileTaiwanTaiwanColombiaColombiaCosta RicaCosta RicaCroatiaCroatiaDenmarkDenmarkEstoniaEstoniaEthiopiaEthiopiaFinlandFinlandFranceFranceGermanyGermanyGreeceGreeceHondurasHondurasIranIranIrelandIrelandIsraelIsrael

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

EB-1 — Employment First Preference - Priority Worker
United States flagUnited States

EB-1 — Employment First Preference - Priority Worker

ValidityIndefinite
Processing1–3 years
View Visa Details
EB-2 — Employment Second Preference - Advanced Degree
United States flagUnited States

EB-2 — Employment Second Preference - Advanced Degree

ValidityIndefinite
Processing1.5–10 years
View Visa Details
EB-3 — Employment Third Preference - Skilled Worker/Professional
United States flagUnited States

EB-3 — Employment Third Preference - Skilled Worker/Professional

ValidityIndefinite
Processing3.5–12 years
View Visa Details
E5 — Employment Fifth Preference - Immigrant Investor
United States flagUnited States

E5 — Employment Fifth Preference - Immigrant Investor

ValidityIndefinite
Processing12 months – 5.0 years
View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a national of a country with a qualifying trade treaty with the U.S.

Trading enterprise must be 50%+ owned by nationals of the treaty country

Substantial trade between the U.S. and the treaty country (majority of trade must be U.S.–treaty country)

Trade must be in goods, services, or technology

Must hold a supervisory, executive, or specialized-skills role (if not the principal trader)

Must intend to depart the U.S. when visa status expires

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Completed Form DS-160 confirmation page

Completed Form DS-156E (Nonimmigrant Treaty Trader/Investor Application)

Valid passport

Passport-style photo

Proof of treaty country nationality

Evidence of substantial trade — invoices, contracts, shipping records, etc.

Proof that 50%+ of the trading enterprise is owned by treaty country nationals

Documentation of supervisory, executive, or specialized-skills role

Application fee payment receipt

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Multiple-entry visa allowing repeated travel to the U.S.
  • Extendable in 2-year increments with no statutory maximum
  • Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may receive dependent E visas
  • Dependent spouses are qualifying to apply for employment authorization (EAD)
  • Covers trade in goods, services, and technology

Worth Knowing

  • Non-immigrant visa — must demonstrate intent to depart when status expires; no dual intent
  • Only nationals of countries with a U.S. trade treaty are qualifying
  • More than 50% of all trade must be between the U.S. and the treaty country
  • Visa becomes void if the holder overstays without an approved extension
  • Visa does not guarantee entry; CBP/DHS makes final admission decisions at the port of entry
  • Visa issuance fee varies by nationality (based on reciprocity)
  • De facto relationships are not recognized for dependent visa purposes

Application Process

1

Complete Form DS-160 online nonimmigrant visa application

2

Upload photo

3

Pay $315 non-refundable MRV application fee

4

Schedule and attend consular interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate

5

Submit required documents including Form DS-156E

6

Undergo administrative processing if required

7

Pay visa issuance fee (varies by nationality) upon approval

Application Forms

DS-160
Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
Fill online
DS-156E
Nonimmigrant Treaty Trader/Investor Application
Fill online

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